Volunteering to Coach

Thinking about volunteering to coach? Here’s what your commitment looks like.

Ages and Groups

The Walker Recreation Youth Soccer Program ranges in ages from 4-13, broken down into 5 age groups: Age 4, ages 5-6, ages 7-8, ages 9-10, and ages 11-13. “Age” means how old a player is, on the last scheduled game date for a given season. Kids can play “up” to the next higher age group if e.g. a player is a little more advanced, or wants to play with an older sibling.

Games

There are 5 game dates each spring and fall. Games are always on Saturdays, and happen between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. In spring, games end on the Saturday immediately preceding Memorial Day weekend; and in the fall, the season starts on the 2nd Saturday after Labor Day. This Fall, that means games on 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, and 10/17. [fall 2026 calendar]

Practices

From ages 4-6, practices and games are combined. The kids get a brief practice, followed immediately by their game, so players and parents only have a Saturday commitment. The whole thing takes 33 minutes (age 4) or 50 minutes (ages 5-6) total. This is a minimal commitment for volunteer coaches, yet long enough for kids these ages to get out and play without getting too fidgety or bored. [timekeeping details]

From ages 7-13, hour-long practices happen during the week. Coaches can do either one or two practices per week, and choose practice times, days-of-week, and field locations that suit them best. [soccer practice details]

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