Core Program
What: WSSL's core program is what most players in WSSL play. It includes a volunteer coach or coaches -- typically parents -- and a weekly practice and game, typically on the same day, back to back. Coaches are provided a basic level of training based on the age of the team they will oversee. Each season -- Fall and Spring -- includes a minimum of 9 weekends of soccer games and practices. The number of games each season varies depending on when the Parks Department opens the fields, the weather and the number of religious or other holidays that fall during the season's schedule.
When: The Fall season runs from early September through late November each year. Registration for the Fall season begins in April and runs through June. The Spring season runs from early April through mid- to late June. Registration for the Spring season begins in January and runs through late February. For information on exact dates, please refer to the league's calendar.
Where: In the Fall, teams play in Central Park, Riverside Park, Randall's Island and on other turf fields in Manhattan on both the East and West sides of the city. In the Spring, teams play on the same fields but not in Central Park. For information on the fields that each division is scheduled to play on, please refer to Division Information (see left menu on the Home page).
Who: WSSL has over 400 teams playing soccer in the Fall from U6 to U19 for boys and girls and about 300 in the Spring. The VIP division, for children with special needs, only plays WSSL in the Fall. Boys play on B teams from B6 to B19. B15 teams and older are consolidated with B19 players in a "high school division." For the most part, girls play on G teams from G6 to G19. Some girls, just a few, choose to play on B teams with boys. In some seasons, depending on registration numbers by division, divisions from two adjacent age groups might be consolidated to create a better spirit of competition allowing teams to play more teams instead of playing the same one or two teams each weekend. This typically happens in the older divisions.
Fees: The Core Program is $120 in the Fall and $100 in the Spring. Scholarships are available for families who cannot afford the fees.
For Volunteers: Volunteer training for coaches and referees takes place prior to each season and often in between seasons as well. For information on exact dates, please refer to the league's calendar.
Extra Weekday Skills Training (Free!): Skills training, run by professional coaches, takes place from the start of the season through the end of the season on weekdays at the 101st Street Field in Riverside Park. The skills training operates on all holidays and in the rain (unless the fields become unsafe due to slippery footing or lightning). Please refer to Professional Skills Training under Programs for more information.
Tournament Play: Players who are interested to commit to additional weekly training may try out for a tournament team. Tournament team players play on their Core team and a separate Tournament Team. See the Tournament Program tab to the left for lots more information.
Holidays: WSSL does not play games on Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Easter or Passover, but depending on where those holidays fall, will play close to them. For information on exact dates, please refer to the league's calendar.