Check this newsletter out for all the latest information for our upcoming Spring 2023 Season!

PCSL GOALKEEPER
Spring Season 2023 Edition 

Welcome to the PCSL Spring 2023 Season!

We're looking forward to seeing all of you out on the fields in just a few short weeks to kick off the spring 2023 season! There is a change in location for spring season matches for the U7 through High School age divisions. Previously PCSL reported that beginning with the upcoming Spring 2023 season and going forward, U9 through High School matches would be played at the Sale Barn grass fields while working toward our ultimate goal of developing this location for our league. However, due to recent changes in development plans, we will now be playing PCSL U9 through High School matches at Eastview Christian Church Soccer Fields for this Spring 2023 season. The U5/U6 programs and U7/U8 matches will continue to be held at Game Time Gym.

Our Executive Board of Directors has been meeting with businesses and major community leaders on this project, emphasizing the need to support youth soccer in our community. While we are making slow strides, we are still open to any assistance from anyone who would be willing to help in this endeavor either with financial support or with being part of the team to find financial support. We are also in the process of evaluating our company and board structure to determine the roles needed to best position us for success into the future. 

As always, with the start of the season, please keep in mind PCSL's philosophies of being positive, demonstrating good sportsmanship, and maintaining self-discipline. Please focus on the philosophy of Good Sportsmanship throughout the season. Good Sportsmanship is displayed by players on the field, between coaches, parents, and towards the match referee.

Please read on as this newsletter touches on several important topics regarding the Spring 2023 season. You will want to bookmark the PCSL Website as one of your favorite websites and also be sure to follow us on Twitter & Facebook for the latest soccer information throughout the year.

Spring 2023 Season Dates
U7 through High School League

Practices can begin: March 13 (weather permitting/coach availability)

Games: Apr.1, 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6

U7 & U8 matches are played at Game Time Gym.
U9-HS matches are played at Eastview Church Soccer Fields
U5 & U6 Programs

Begins the week of March 27

Programs are held at Game Time Gym.



Teams

Teams remain the same from the Fall 2022 season to the Spring 2023 season. We've added new players to existing teams and formed 10 new teams for this spring season. Please do your best to welcome the new players and coaches to the League!

For the U7 - High School league, your coach should be contacting you soon to let you know of practice dates, times and game schedules. TeamSnap is a great tool for you to use to find team and contact information. All you need is your login email and password that you previously set up when registering your player. Match schedules for U7-HS are now posted on the PCSL website under the Match Schedules tab.

For the U5 & U6 program, if your child participated in the fall, they will continue to attend on the same day, time & field as you did for the fall season. All U5 & U6 participants will be sent an email the week of March 13 indicating their day, time & field assignment for the spring six-week program at Game Time Gym.

Coaches

Coaches had the opportunity to attend a spring coaches meeting on March 7 where they received training ideas, practice plans and updates for the spring season from Craig Lee, Youth Technical Director. Thank you to all that attended! It was a great turnout!
Parents & Players
Soccer is a fantastic game for fun, exercise, and athletic development. As a matter of fact, soccer provides a means for your young player to acquire athletic skills for other sports as well-skills such as balance, speed, coordination, agility, fitness and other vital components.
 
The PCSL Parent's Manual has been developed to help you with this and includes the topics: how to help support your child and coach, what to expect during your child's development and PCSL's approach to player development. Check out the PCSL Parent's Manual today!

PCSL encourages participation in youth soccer for what it is-youngsters having fun. Coaches, parents and spectators should show only good adult behavior on the sidelines and act as role models for the younger players. Help create a positive soccer atmosphere and influence your youngster's soccer experience. Soccer Sideline Ethics

How do you find out if there is a cancellation?  The league tries to make decisions regarding cancellations as soon as possible and has several ways for you to find this information. Find out how
Locations
U5 & U6 Programs and U7 & U8 Games

Game Time Gym is located at 404 Olympia Dr in Bloomington.

Please remember to drive slowly and cautiously in the parking lot and arrive no more than 15 min. before game time. This will help to control the in & out process and help to cut down on congestion between games.

Seating is available all around indoor fields. There is also an upstairs viewing area where spectators can sit for field #1. The field closest to the entrance is field #1. All U7 games are on field #1. All U8 games are on field #2.

Players should not sit or climb on the inflatable divider between the fields. There are no pets, no smoking & no alcohol allowed at Game Time Gym.
Food is not allowed on the fields, only on the concrete areas.
U9 - High School Games

Please remember to drive slowly and cautiously in the parking lot. You never know when a child will chase a loose ball! Please watch your speed.

Please do not park in the NO PARKING areas. Parking in the NO PARKING areas creates emergency & safety issues. 

There are no pets, no smoking, and no alcohol allowed at any PCSL events.

Referees

Our referees are ready to go for this spring season! Jason Willey, Referee Director, prepares them each season with pre-season meetings, on-the-field training sessions, and mentoring throughout each season. We are always looking to add new referees to our pool of PCSL referees. We offer training prior to each season for anyone wanting to get into refereeing. To get details on upcoming trainings & requirements, check out the Referee page on our website or email jwilley@pcslsoccer.org or league@pcslsoccer.org.

Board Notes of Appreciation

We would like to take this time to say thank you to all that provide support to PCSL financially and/or by volunteering their time and efforts. 

State Farm Companies Foundation is a continuing source of support for PCSL and other non-profit organizations in our community. The Good Neighbor Grant Program provides a contribution to the League when a State Farm employee volunteers for at least 40 hours per year and designates PCSL as their recipient. Country Financial offers a similar program. Over the past year, several volunteer coaches have contributed their time and their grants.  If you are part of either of those companies or work for an employer that has a donation matching program, please consider donating your time and grant to PCSL.

Financial support or considerations have been received from local businesses featured in our sponsor section of this newsletter. Annual operations, training for coaches, scholarships for players, and complex improvements are all supported through player registration fees and our community-based partners.

We truly appreciate the support from all of our volunteers! A special thank you goes out to all of the coaches, assistant coaches and parents. You help keep our league going strong! Please take time to recognize and thank your child's coach for all their time, effort and dedication.

Registration for Fall 2023 / Spring 2024

Don't forget to register your player for the next PCSL playing year! Online registration began on Feb. 1. Register before April 1 to avoid a late fee!

Interested in travel soccer?

FC Central Illinois' 2023/2024 season tryouts dates:

U8 (2017 & 2016) = 5/16 & 5/18 @ Game Time Gym
  • Girls = 5-6:15pm
  • Boys = 6:15-7:30pm
 
U9-U19 Tryouts:
  • 5/22 & 5/24 @ Eastview Church Fields
  • 5-6:30pm = 2014 Boys, 2015 Boys, 2015 Girls
  • 6:30-8pm = 2012 Boys, 2012 Girls, 2010 Boys, 2009 Boys
  • 5/23 & 5/24 @ Eastview Church Fields
  • 5-6:30pm = 2013 Boys, 2013 Girls, 2014 Girls
  • 6:30-8pm = 2011 Boys, 2011 Girls, 2010 Girls
  • 6/12 @ Eastview Church Fields
  • 6:30-8pm = 2009 Girls – 2005 Girls
Sponsors
Prairie Cities Soccer League | 309 451-GOAL | www.pcslsoccer.org