About High River Minor Soccer

High River Minor Soccer is a volunteer organization and welcomes all children and youth under 17 to participate.

We hope this website will answer all or most of your questions about your child participating in soccer. If you have questions that are not addressed, please feel free to call 403-333-0093.

Festival League

Our Festival league is for players just starting out on their Soccer Journey, ages 3-6.    Working in larger groups our U05/U07 groups rotate through a set of individual skills stations as well as game stations.    Players are not divided into teams in the program.    Parents are expected to volunteer 3-4 times a season to help run the stations (lots of instruction for you)

House League

The House League is a soccer program that emphasizes fun and skill development over competition. All children and youth ages 7 - 10, regardless of skill level or experience, are welcome to join.

The House League provides a fun and safe environment for young soccer players and their families. As a Team based program, it focuses on participation and encouragement over winning and is committed to helping players develop their basic soccer skills and team play.  Volunteer Coaches are needed for each team (training available)

Travel League

The Travel League is for players who are interested in playing at a higher level than recreational soccer. The purpose of travel soccer is to further develop individual skill as well as teamwork through games against other area clubs.

Travel Teams are for age groups U9 (under 9) to U15+ (under 17). Players should possess a good understanding of the game. The coach's main objective is to help participants improve their soccer skills.

Parents' Participation

As a volunteer organization, parental assistance is required. There are training programs available at no cost. Please assist in one or more of the following positions if possible:

  • Coach *
  • Field Maintenance
  • Referee
  • Assistant Referee

The parents filling positions marked with an (*) asterisk, will have a portion of their registration fees returned at the end of the season. All coaches must have a current (within the last two years) Criminal Record Check, submitted prior to the season starting.

The association pays for any individual who wishes to take coaching courses or would like to officiate. We pay officials and need them for the coming season. The association pays for half the referee's uniform.

There is a section on your child's online registration form where you can indicate the volunteer position(s) you are able to fill.

Please be sure to read Players/Parents Expectations

Corporate Information

The High River Minor Soccer Association was formally incorporated as a Society on February 10, 2009.  At the AGM in 2021, the Board passed a Special Resolution updating our Bylaws

Player / Parent Expectations

High River Minor Soccer is a Grassroots development program that develops Physical Literacy through Soccer skills.    We believe in building social skills through working as a team and development of soccer skills and a passion for the game long term.     Above all, High River Soccer stands for Respect; respect of ourselves, our teammates, our opponents, coaches and officials.   This respect should be exhibited both on and off the field by players, parents and spectators alike.

In all High River Soccer Programs, the following expectations exist for all Players, Parents and Spectators

  • No Smoking, Drinking or Cannabis may be consumed on the soccer pitch, this includes spectators
  • Players will be present for each Soccer Practice and Game. Should players not be able to attend, Parents shall inform the Coaches via Teamsnap, email, text or phone
  • Foul language or derogatory comments towards any other person are strictly forbidden.
  • All Spectators, Parents, Players and Coaches will respect the officials and accept the calls that they make.
  • Players, Officials, Coaches, and Spectators shall adhere to the rules and policies outlined by FIFA, Canada Soccer, Alberta Soccer, Foothills Soccer and any local amendments issued by host clubs

U05/U07 Festival Format….

These age groups are often a child’s first foray into sport.      The emphasis is placed on learning how our body works and how to move with and without a soccer ball.      The format at our festival program removes teams and the players work in small groups to work through a variety of individual and small group skills and games.      Parents are heavily involved in this program.    A Technical Director will build a simple set of activities (5-8 per session) and we rely on parents to lead the players through this.    We need 10-12 parent volunteers per session.

Parent Expectations.

  • To have your player dressed and ready at the pitch 5 min before game time.  This includes Shin Pads covered with Soccer Socks or pants, appropriate outdoor shoes, a water bottle and weather appropriate clothing.
  • To volunteer for 3-5 sessions throughout the session (if everyone participates the load is light). No soccer experience or preparation is needed.
  • To encourage all players to participate
  • To realize that kids have different interests and skills and adapt the exercise as needed
  • To role model appropriate behavior at Soccer events, no smoking, foul language, at the Pitch

Player Expectations

  • To participate at every session
  • To listen to coaches and leaders
  • To respect fellow players,

U09 to U13 House Format….

Across these age groups players are divided into teams and play against other High River Teams each week.      There is a training (Practice) session held one weeknight.      The emphasis here is to build soccer skills and introduce the components of the game.       Coaches are parent volunteers and we need 2-3 Coaches per team.      The Coaching group is responsible for building and executing the training plan for their team.    With 2-3 coaches per team, it simplifies the schedule.   A basic understanding of soccer is an asset, but experience playing, or coaching is not necessary.

Parent Expectations.

  • To have your player dressed and ready at the pitch 5 min before game time.  This includes Shin Pads covered with Soccer Socks or pants, appropriate outdoor shoes, a water bottle and weather appropriate clothing.
  • To Volunteer as a Coach/Assistant even if you can’t dedicate 100% of the time. (many hands make coaching easy)
  • To encourage all players to participate, Negative Criticism is not tolerated (even at your own child)
  • To realize that kids have different interests and skills and adapt the exercise as needed
  • To role model appropriate behavior at Soccer events, no smoking, foul language, at the Pitch

Player Expectations

  • To participate at every session
  • To listen to coaches and leaders
  • To respect fellow players,
  • To learn and follow the rules of the game as taught by the officials and coaches

U09 to U17 Travel Format….

The Travel program is for players who love soccer and want to push themselves.      These program practices 1-2 nights per week and plays 1-2 nights per week (3 times per week) and all activities are on weeknights.     Our games are against surrounding communities like Vulcan, Turner Valley, Strathmore, Nanton, Okotoks, Red Deer Lake.      Approximately half the games are home and half away.       The emphasis of this program is the continued development of Soccer Skills, but the psychology and strategy of the game is also taught.

Parent Expectations.

  • To have your player dressed and ready at the pitch 15 min before game time.  This includes Shin Pads covered with Soccer Socks, Shorts (FIFA Law 4 requires shorts regardless of weather appropriate outdoor shoes (Soccer Cleats are recommended), a water bottle and weather appropriate clothing (for training and time on the bench).
  • To reach out to the team or coach if transportation is an issue, our travel parents are all great at helping carpool.
  • To be a fanatical fan on the side lines. Excitement and encouragement from the sidelines makes it more fun.
  • To volunteer as a coach, lines person, or help where needed. Head coaches should have a Firm understanding of the Laws of the Game and Strategy, but previous coaching is not a requirement.   Assistant Coaches only require a love of the game.
  • To encourage all players, Negative Criticism is not tolerated (even at your own child)
  • To role model appropriate behavior at Soccer events, no smoking, foul language, at the Pitch

Player Expectations

  • To participate at every session
  • To listen to coaches and leaders
  • To respect fellow players,
  • To learn and follow the FIFA Laws of the game as taught by the officials and coaches

High River Minor Soccer has a documented Code of Conduct (section 14) complete with the Disciplinary Process (14.b.ii) and Consequence (14.a.vi) within our bylaws issued March 2020 and found on our website.

Contravention of our Code of Conduct can result in fines, suspension or expulsion from High River Minor Soccer.    If the severity of the incident is sufficient, the ruling can be extended to all clubs within Alberta Soccer and Canada Soccer.

Refund Policy

Association Bylaws