The Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) defines specific rules for soccer age groups. RPYSC, an affilliate of MSYSA through our league association is required to strictly follow these rules.

MSYSA defines the age group that a player is eligible to participate in based on a player's age as of July 31st. The player's age on that date determines the age group they may register for in the following fall season. For example if you were born between 8-1-2002 and 7-31-2003 you would be eligible to play on a U8 team for the fall 2010 season.

MSYSA rules do not allow a player to play-down. For example a player eligible for a U10 age group cannot play on a U8 age group team under any circumstances. No exceptions can be made for players who in the opinion of their parents need more development. We have inexperienced or relatively new players in all rec age groups.

Depending on the league (rec or select), players may be eligible to play-up a maximum of 2 years above their age group. Please discuss this with your coach and/or the club before making a request so that we can consider appropriate team assignments. Potential select players may indicate their interest in playing up on a select tryout form and participate in tryouts for more than one age group.

All area youth are welcome to play on RPYSC recreation level teams and tryout for RPYSC select teams.

Our name reflects our geographical location and follows a precedent set by many area soccer clubs. However we are a volunteer run organization independant of the Reeths-Puffer School District.

Although many players attend Reeths-Puffer schools simply because of our location, we have a signficant number of players from surrounding areas. We are one of the largest (if not the largest) youth soccer club on the lakeshore with outstanding field space for team practice and games.

U6 and U8 use a size 3 ball

U10 and U12 use a size 4 ball

U13 and above use a size 5 ball

Players are required to wear shin guards for all practices and games. Other equipment that is recommended:

• Black shorts
• Black soccer socks
• Soccer cleats (or tennis shoes)
• Ball - see our faq for appropriate sizes
• Jersey for U10 and up (jersey's are provided for U6 and U8)
• Water bottle for practice and games

During the summer of 2012 we will be making a significant investment in our home soccer fields next to RP Middle School. Work starts in June after the rec and select soccer seasons complete.

We will be filling and grading the drainage ditch. Fields will be graded, seeded and a regular grass maintenance program will be implemented. This will give us the flexibility to introduce a new field layout for the fall 2012 season.

We are also exploring ideas to improve access to the fields for visitors of all abilities.

Recently completed projects include:

• Addition added to the concession stand for more storage.
• Improvements to the concession stand in order to meet health department code.
• Purchase of trailer for field maintenance.
• Purchase of a hot dog steamer.
• Purchase of new U6 goals.

Coaches met on March 19th to get their spring 2012 team assignments and select practice times. All registered players will be contacted by their coaches to communicate practice times.

The first games will begin April 14th and will continue through May 19th.

GLCSL Tournaments for U10 and older rec players will begin May 20th and finish with finals on June 2nd.

Practices are held at our home field location on the fields behind Reeth-Puffer Central Elementary School, 1911 W Giles Rd.

See our field directions for more detailed information.

Individual coaches determine exactly when their practice times will occur.

Practices are usually an hour long on two evenings per week; either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday.

Practices are scheduled for 5:30-6:30pm or 6:30- 7:30pm.

Please refer to our practice schedule for more information.

RPYSC is run exclusively by volunteers. In order to have another successful soccer season and to keep our registration prices as low as possible, we are asking each family to volunteer a small portion of their time. Please sign-up at the concession stand to help out.

We are always in need of volunteers. We currently have 750 registered players and that makes for a lot of work.

We need coaches and assistant coaches for all levels.

We need concession stand volunteers; we suggest volunteering one hour before or after your child's game.

We need people for field maintenance; this primarily involves lining the fields. This is a HUGE job with 10 fields to paint throughout the season; again an hour of your time during your child's practice would be a great help!

If you're not sure what to do, that's not a problem. We can team you up with someone who has experience in the concession stand, lining the fields or coaching. Just ask. The more people who volunteer the easier the tasks are for everyone.

All players will be required to wear a RP green jersey for the Spring 2011 season.

Our U6 & U8 players will be wearing team t-shirts and the cost of the t-shirts is included in the registration fee.

Laketon Soccer is now Reeths-Puffer Youth Soccer Club. This change better aligns us with the names used by other area soccer clubs. Although we are not formally part of the school district, 85% of our players are from the Reeths-Puffer.

Other soccer clubs in our area reflect the school districts from which most of their children attend. In keeping with that precedence we decided to change our name. Laketon Soccer is now Reeths-Puffer Youth Soccer Club. We are not formally part of the school district, however 85% of our players are from the Reeths-Puffer.

We continue to welcome new and existing players and coaches from other districts. Many will continue to play on the teams they have been participating in for years.