Recreational Soccer Program
1st Grade – 6th Grade

With nearly 300 athletes participating each year, our Recreational Soccer Program is the foundation of everything we do at The J.

Designed for players in 1st–6th grade, recreational soccer emphasizes the FUNdamentals — building core soccer skills while developing teamwork, confidence, and good sportsmanship in a positive, welcoming environment.

All players are registered with the Johnson County Recreational Soccer League (JOCO Rec). We proudly follow a 50/50 Play Time Rule at all ages, ensuring every player participates in at least half of each game. This approach gives players meaningful opportunities to explore the game, make decisions, and learn through both success and challenge.

Registration Process

All players register individually. However, head coaches can register a team, and the system will generate a team code for them to share with their players. This code should be used during registration to join the team. Those without a specific coach may register as a "free agent" if they would like to be placed onto a team. Teammate requests are accepted.

Team Formation

Teams are formed using a family-first approach. During registration, families may:

• Return to a previous team
• Request to play with a friend or specific coach
• Be grouped with peers from the same school or with friends

Teams are formed by:

• Grade Group & Roster Size
  • 1/2 Grade: Maximum of 10 players
  • 3/4 Grade: Maximum of 14 players
  • 5/6 Grade: Maximum of 16 players
• Gender: Boys or Girls teams when possible

If a co-ed team is necessary, families will be notified prior to the season so they can make the best decision for their child.

Registration Includes

• Weekly Team Training Sessions
  Wednesdays, 6:30–8:30 PM on the Baseball Turf at The J
  Led by Parent Volunteer Coaches
  (If teams wish to practice at a different location, day, or time, this must be organized by the coach.)
• 8 League Matches in the JOCO Rec Soccer League
  Coached by Parent Volunteer Coaches
• Optional Skills Training Nights
  Led by Paid J Staff Coaches on The J indoor turf (participation not required)
  • 1/2 Grade: 5:30 PM, 6:15 PM, or 7:00 PM
    Tuesdays - March 10, March 24, April 7, April 21
  • 3/4 Grade: 5:30 PM, 6:15 PM, or 7:00 PM
    Tuesdays - March 17, March 31, April 14, April 28
  • 5/6 Grade: 6:30 PM or 7:15 PM
    Mondays - March 16, March 30, April 6, April 13
• Game Day Jersey (Returning players may reuse a reversible J Strikers jersey. New jerseys are available for a $10 fee.)
• End-of-Season Participation Medal

League Play Information

Teams compete in the JOCO Rec Soccer League, a proud partner of The J. League fees are collected as part of registration and passed directly to JOCO Rec.

• Games are played on Saturdays or Sundays
• Shabbat-friendly scheduling is provided
• Game locations include Heritage Soccer Park (Olathe, KS) and Stump Park (Shawnee, KS)
• Game schedules are managed by the league, not The J

Pricing

• 1/2 Grade (5v5): $145 J Member / $180 Community
• 3/4 Grade (7v7): $150 J Member / $185 Community
• 5/6 Grade (9v9): $155 J Member / $190 Community

Coaching Structure

Teams are led by Parent Volunteer Coaches, with additional individual skill development opportunities supported by J Staff Coaches through optional skills nights.

Parent Volunteer Coaches

Parents who commit to coaching receive a full refund of their child’s registration fee:

• 10% refunded upfront
• Remaining 90% refunded after completing the season
• One assistant coach per team may receive up to a 15% refund at season’s end

Volunteer coaches receive:

• A complete practice curriculum from The J
• Access to a free U.S. Soccer online coaching course
• An optional in-person training session before the season
• Equipment provided for Wednesday practices at The J (limited equipment available for offsite practices)

So why volunteer coaches and not just hire new coaches? 

The Johnson County Recreational Soccer League, the league in which our teams compete, does not permit paid coaches, which further reinforced the need to align our model with league standards while improving the overall experience.

Transitioning to parent volunteer coaches allows us to address these challenges directly. Volunteer coaches are more consistently present, deeply invested in their team, and better positioned to build strong relationships with players and families over the course of the season. It also brings us 

Volunteer coaches are not left on their own. They will receive:

• A clear, age-appropriate practice curriculum

• Access to a free online U.S. Soccer Coaching Education Course (A $25 value)

• Equipment needed to conduct training at The J

Our Commitment

Our goal is to provide a more consistent, development-focused, and positive experience for every player, while continuing to uphold the values of inclusion, growth, and joy that define soccer at The J.

Over the winter, we worked diligently to explore potential partnerships that could offer additional options for our soccer community. While the short timeline did not allow a partnership to be finalized for this season, we remain in active conversations with several clubs.

Our intent is to thoughtfully expand future programming in a way that aligns with The J’s mission of keeping soccer accessible and cost-conscious, maintaining proximity to the J, and offering flexible pathways that serve both new and experienced players without asking families to compromise their values.

We appreciate your trust, feedback, and continued partnership as we build a stronger, more sustainable soccer experience for our community.