Frequently Asked Questions:
Recreational..
When does the fall season begin?
The fall season begins in late August. There are no games Labor Day weekend.
When does the spring season begin?
The spring season begins the first weekend of March. Games are not played Easter weekend unless there are rescheduled games from weather cancellations.
Is there a lost and found?
Lost and found is located on the back porch of the SSA office/little white house.
How do I rent a soccer field?
Fields may be rented for friendly matches. This form must also be completed. The request must be received 10 days prior to the date requested for use.
How old do you have to be to be a referee?
Referees need to be 12 years old to take the certification course. The class is two eight hour sessions and there is a written test to be completed.
Competitive
What is competitive soccer?
Playing time is not guaranteed. Players have played soccer for a number of years. Trainers are often
paid with assistance from parent coaches. Teams are often formed through tryouts.
When are tryouts?
Tryouts are held between June 15-July 15. A complete tryout list with teams, dates and locations will be posted on this website under competitive soccer.
Where do competitive teams play?
Most competitive teams play league in Overland Park, KS through the Premiership and Heartland Soccer Association. Other teams may travel to Salina or Manhattan, KS. Tournaments may be played throughout the Midwest. Currently Sunflower Soccer is providing home and away opportunities with Manhattan and the Widlcat Soccer League through the Classic League.
Coaching
Do I need a license to coach a recreational team?
No, you do not need a coaching license to coach a recreational team. If you are interested in coaching education opportunities, please visit the coaches education page of the website for more information.
Why can't I form my own recreational team?
According to Kansas Youth Soccer rules a competitive team is any team that a coach chooses the players he or she would like on his or her team. A recreational team is formed by the association.
Where can I find coaching plans and drills?
Please visit the coaches resource section of the website for links to drills. Also the library section lists available resources at the Sunflower Soccer office.
Classic League
What is the "Classic League"?
This is a more competitive option for an advanced and dedicated player. Players should have played soccer for several years and be ready for a step up from the recreational level. Players are not guaranteed equal playing time. Teams are formed by coaches through tryouts, and/or invitation on the basis of talent or ability. Players will be expected to practice at least twice a week. Depending on the team, players may begin practice at an earlier date than recreational players. Off season practicing and enrichment may also be offered and/or required.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN LEVELS OF SOCCER?
RECREATIONAL TEAMS
Open to players of all levels.
Offered at the U05-U12 age divisions.
Players are assigned to teams by Sunflower Soccer Association, if possible teams are grouped by school district to allow for neighborhood practices.
Fall and spring, 8 game seasons, are offered each year.
All games will be played at the Sunflower Soccer Complex
Games will be played on Saturdays and minimal Sundays.
Players will stay on the same team for both fall and spring seasons.
All players are guaranteed equal playing time.
Uniforms are provided.
Players register and fees are paid on an individual basis cost ($55-$90 per season).
CLASSIC TEAMS
Open to intermediate to advanced players.
Offered at the U09 through U14 age divisions.
Players are not guaranteed equal playing time.
Teams are formed by coaches through tryouts, and/or invitation on the basis of talent or ability.
Players will be expected to practice at least twice a week
Off season practicing and enrichment may also be offered and/or required.
Fall and spring, 8 game seasons, are offered each year.
Games are played on a combination of weeknights and weekends to allow teams to participate in area tournaments if they choose.
The majority of the games will be played at the Sunflower Soccer Complex, with possible minimal travel to Lawrence and no farther than Manhattan.
Registration is done as a team with the cost ranging from $66-$98 per player per season
Additional cost may include tournaments (for example Governors Cup is $450/team)
PREMIER TEAMS
Open to the advanced soccer player
Offered at a variety of age divisions
Players are not guaranteed equal playing time
Teams are formed through tryouts, and/or invitation on the basis of talent or ability.
Trainers are often paid with assistance from parent coaches.
Off season training and enrichment is strongly encouraged.
Cost varies from team to team, but is not less than $200-300 per season per player. (Cost includes training, player registration fees and tournament and league fees)
All premier teams participate in tournaments.
Most premier teams play league in Overland Park, KS through the Premiership and Heartland Soccer Association, a few will play in the Sunflower Soccer Classic League.
Tournaments may be played throughout the Midwest.
HOW DOES A COACH FORM A TEAM?
A coach or a club can form a team by use of tryouts, invitations, or any like process to selectively roster players to a team on the basis of talent or ability. All KSYSA rules must be adhered to.
Recreational, Club, Premier, Independent, or other competitive type teams can register a full team already fully rostered.*a recreational team will no longer be considered recreational once register in this league*
Any coach will have the opportunity to fill their rosters at their discretion with experienced individual players who have expressed an interest through Sunflower Soccer Association to play on a Classic League Team.
To register a competitive team with Sunflower Soccer please submit the following items:
Competitive team roster form
Competitive player registration form for each player
Competitive Coach registration form for each adult on the roster
DOES A COACH HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED?
At this point no certification is required to coach at this level. Coaches can be volunteers who chose to put together a team or certified paid coach from area clubs or independent teams. However non certified coaches will be required to attend a minimum of one training session per season. Sunflower Soccer will provide a list of possible sessions offered through Sunflower and/or other area organizations.
WHAT IS THE COST?
Cost is varies per age group because of the increase in number of players.
League Fees: U09/U10 $600/team, U11/U12 $700/team, U13/U14 $900/team
Registration Fees: $35/team, $35/player with uniform provided, $13/player without uniform, & $10/coach
Teams may decide if they want to do additional tournament play and costs vary. (Example, Governors’ Cup is $450 per team). Other additional cost decided on a individual team basis may be, but not limited to, soccer camps, training sessions, individual team trainers, or uniform purchased from an outside source.
*Total fees per player are between $66-$95 per player depending on if a uniform is ordered.
WHERE WILL THEY PLAY?
The majority of the games will be played at the Sunflower Soccer Complex in Topeka. Minimal travel to away games in area towns (no farther than Manhattan) is possible depending on the number of teams registered in each division. Teams decide on an individual basis if they will travel to tournaments in surrounding towns.
For further information contact the Sunflower Soccer Office at: (785) 233-9700
