• Allows for more player involvement thus more fun
• More manageable group for more attention per player.

• Fair to each player
• Fair opportunity for every team

• A positive experience for every player, no matter what their past experience or abilities.
• Enables parents to give encouragement, to ignore the mistakes and enjoy their child's playing.

• The Coach will call by Tuesday, 4/7/2009, at the latest to schedule a Parent Meeting. FFPS does not schedule practice locations, times or dates. Practice times and dates will be discussed. The coach has first priority on setting practice time and location. We recommend you consider becoming a coach to obtain the practice date/time you desire. See bottom of page for coaching information. Also, once your child is place on a team by FFPS your child cannot be moved to another team
• Practices are ONCE A WEEK,  usually in the evening, for one hour at area schools and parks. Many teams will use our game site for practices or some may use area schools or parks for a convenient location.
  NOTE: No full refund if prior to team assignment, for practice or game conflicts, or any delays in communication with your coach. Also, once your child is placed on a team by FFPS your child cannot be moved to another team.
• All players should be contacted by Tuesday, 4/7/2009 by their coach. However, for whatever reason, if you did not receive a call from your coach you should immediately call your league Registration Director (see "Head Volunteer Contacts") the following day or call Jack at 800-828-PLAY(7529) ext 911 so we can locate your coach and your child can begin to play.

• All teams must have a business sponsor. ($330)
• Or parents must sponsor for $35 per player
• Sponsor Fees due on picture day. (mid-season)
• NO CANDY SALES!!
  It is REQUIRED that every team have a Team Sponsor, due on Picture Day (mid-season).  The sponsor fee for business or contributor is $330.  Most teams obtain a Business Sponsor but if your team does not the parents MUST sponsor the team for $35 per player; due picture day.  See Coach for Sponsor Forms. REMEMBER, FFPS DOES NOT SELL CANDY!

• $60 by the 1st Game
• Refund Exception during a Presidential Disaster Declaration: When an area is under a Presidential Disaster Declaration refund requests will be accepted but not considered until FFPS’s financial viability is determined. We would appreciate your understanding when this occurs.
• To obtain: MUST submit request by the first game at www.ffps.org/refund, or contact Judi, Director of Accounting,at 800-828-PLAY(7529) ext 913.
  Note: Refund request will not be honored if you contact anyone else in FFPS.
• Full refund provided (must contact by 1st game) if you move 30 miles or more from any FFPS League or if FFPS is unable to place child on a team. No other reasons are accepted.
  NOTE: No full refunds if prior to team assignments,for practice conflicts, if FFPS online system will not allow team changes or for any delays in communicating with your coach.

• Shin Guards (pads)- Parents purchase these and they are REQUIRED for all practices and games.
• Soccer Ball- Parents purchase these and they are REQUIRED for all practices. The least expensive balls work just great. Size 3 or 4 is OK.
• Water Bottle
  (Note: Most local sporting goods and department stores sell shin pads for $5-$10. Balls for $10-$15. Shoes $20-$60.)

FFPS Provides Full Uniform
FFPS provides a very nice, complete uniform which includes shirt, shorts, and socks and is given out by your coach.

Optional Equipment
Soccer Shoes - Optional, NOT required. Below age 9 regular sneakers work fine, and special soccer shoes are not recommended. If you do decide to buy a soccer shoe, purchase a "turf" type shoe which has many small studs on the bottom.
Eyewear- Optional, NOT required. Children who must wear corrective lenses should purchase safe, sturdy eyewear meant for sports activities.
Items Not allowed - Safety Reasons
No jewelry, watches, earrings, or hard objects in hair during play.  No dogs, tents, canopies, or smoking at ANY soccer events.

Trophy to EVERYONE!!!
Every player receives a very nice trophy at the last game. These trophies show how every player is of value and it gives them a reminder of their experience. Parents do not have to buy these, it is included. Also, FFPS provides a plaque with a team picture to all coaches and a gift to every Team Manager to show appreciation.

Accidental Medical Insurance
$100,000 accidental insurance is included free and has a $100 deductible. It is secondary coverage so it pays after your coverage unless you do not have insurance. For claims or information call Jack Hendrie at 800-828-PLAY(7529) ext 911 within 48 hours of an accident to obtain forms and for verification of the incident. All claims must be sent to FFPS within one year.

Release Policy
Prior to being admitted as a participant during signing up, you must submit your signature on a FFPS Registration Form in written form or accept all releases via the FFPS online website at signup. You may view these releases at any time at www.ffps.org, "My Account" after the sign up and you may request a copy of the releases in written form at anytime by contacting the FFPS Director of Administration at 800-828-PLAY(7529) ext 912 or judi@ffps.org.

Privacy Policy
Your personal information provided to FFPS will never be given to a 3rd party, such as a business, vendor, or person and can only be used by FFPS to inform you of FFPS approved functions unless you consent otherwise. FFPS will never sell or profit from your information unless you provide a release at a later date. You may request removal of any personal information by contacting the FFPS Director of Administration at 800-828-PLAY(7529) ext 912 or judi@ffps.org at any time.

Security Policy
FFPS secures and protects all information passes over the Internet through the use of encryption. Transfer of secure, personal information is alway encrypted. All transactions that contain personal information use SSL encryption with "Secure Web Server Certificates" from "Verisign." FFPS only requests or displays parent information through forms located on our secure web servers.

Personal Information Policies
Background Checks Policy:
FFPS's continued efforts to protect the children requires that FFPS perform a background check using your personal information and requesting a 3rd party vendor who specializes in such checks prior to each season of play on any coach, staff, vendors, or those FFPS deems it is in the interest of the children's safety. If you are denied a position in FFPS due to this background check, FFPS will notify you in writing within 10 days and you may request a copy of the background check. You may appeal the decision within 30 days.
Social Security Number Security Policy:
FFPS uses a 3rd party vendor to perform background checks and since it is a national search it is required that FFPS provide Social Security Number (SSN) to ensure the identity is correct as duplicate names can arise with such a large population being searched. In addition to the above security protection (see "Security Policy" above), FFPS places another level of security on SSN and will never show SSN to anyone, in any format, including the person who provided it. The FFPS person allowed to access the SSN, if needed, is the FFPS staff person, FFPS Director of Administration who is appointed and monitored by the FFPS Executive Director. Any access to SSN by the Director of Administration, the FFPS Executive Director is notified immediately via email.
Discard Information Policy:
FFPS will discard all personal information and SSN at the child's 20th birthday and will only keep and notify you if this will change due to any program FFPS might have at that time that it would be needed in, like an adult soccer league or alumni gathering. You may have your information discarded at any time by contacting the Director of Administration at 800-828-PLAY(7529) ext 912 or judi@ffps.org.

Storage of Sensitive Information Policy
Your information and that obtained from approved background checks is stored on our internal servers. Those servers are protected by several security measures. SSN is stored encrypted and never shown or seen by anyone and only for administrative purposes by FFPS Director of Administration.

All Family Involved - All Volunteer
FFPS leagues are All Volunteer. Parents are asked to volunteer. This helps your child and all children to have the best experience possible in FFPS. Since FFPS is all-volunteer, all parents have a responsibility to assist their coach as much as possible to ensure all the kids have a great season.

Coaches Needed
We need Coaches Always! Coaching is most rewarding, fun, easy, and takes the same time as your child's. No Experience Needed. Training provided. We need Moms to coach, too. We have 41% girls playing and 25% mom's coach!!

Parent Behavior - BE POSITIVE
Parents MUST be POSITIVE and ENCOURAGE all players at games and practices. NO INSTRUCTION is ever allowed during play. Only words like Go Julie, Good Kick, and Great Dribble, are allowed.

MOST Teams are Coed
FFPS puts boys and girls on the same teams. Girls and boys do equally well in soccer and need to learn to get along together, too!

Parent Inappropriate Behavior Policy
To ensure a positive experience 'for all the kids.'
1) NO rude, derogatory, disruptive, inappropriate, foul language, violent, or disrespectful behavior toward anyone in FFPS.
2) NO coach strategy or "How to Play" instructions to the players allowed, discussion of 'concerns' with any coach or parent during the game (only to your own coach), or yelling loudly.
3) NO dogs, tent, bikes, standing behind goal, illegal parking or driving, and help pick up any trash to ensure a safe clean event.
4) NO smoking, drugs, or alcohol.
5) Must follow FFPS Policies/Procedures provided by your coach.
PENALTY: Any violation of FFPS Policies or conduct of an inappropriate manner mentioned above toward any staff, Head Volunteer, Coach, player, or another parent, FFPS may require a fine be imposed and proceeds to be provided to the FFPS Scholarship Fund of up to $100 payable the next season and/or the player to be removed from FFPS without a refund.

Questions or Concerns
All Parents have a responsibility to ensure a great experience 'for the kids.'  If you have a question or concern it is your duty and obligation to follow FFPS Policies and Procedures provided by your coach and report any concern by contacting your FFPS Local Contacts (see handouts) or Jack Hendrie, FFPS Executive Director at 281-347-0021 or jack@ffps.org.

Balanced Teams - Fair
The Cornerstone of FFPS
Teams are re-balanced EACH season by age, sex, experience, size, skills, goals scored and coach evaluations and area. AREA (school/subdivision) IS SECONDARY CRITERIA. FFPS has developed its own program to balance teams to ensure teams are BALANCED FAIRLY. Teams are assembled as EQUAL as possible each season thus giving each team an equal opportunity for fun. This way everyone meets many new friends each season, players and parents, and it is Fair.

Team Placement Policy
You must only play on the team that is shown in the official "FFPS Team Roster" and provide to your Coach a "Proof of Sign Up." Playing on any other team will result in immediate permanent removal from FFPS without a refund.

Change Team Policy
FFPS allows you to attempt to change teams online in FFPS "My Account", "Swap Player." This is very difficult, though, due to balanced team format and most teams are full. No full refunds allowed due to practice conflicts or any other conflict or if FFPS will not allow swap.

Misrepresenting Players Age
FFPS does not require a birth certificate. But, intentional misrepresentation of a player's age could result in IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF PLAYER FROM FFPS WITHOUT A REFUND and participation in future seasons will require a birth certificate. (See Play up/Play Down policy to place child in different age group)

Age Groups of Teams
Teams are formed BY YEAR OF BIRTH (i.e.: 1990's, 1989's etc.) Where we have large enough numbers of players we assemble team by SINGLE AGES by YEAR OF BIRTH. FFPS DOES NOT use grades. If there are not enough players in one year of birth to make enough teams then players will be combined with other age groups. If you would like to play in a Year of Birth other than yours, please review the "Play Up / Down Age Policy" and exceptions below.

Age groups if a "Small" league
In a "Small" league (300 players or less), the age groups may need to be more spread out than the single age groups we prefer. FFPS avoids having any teams travel. This can take away from our community based approach. But, many times we have found this to be a big plus as the older players will take on a more leadership role and help the younger players and the younger players will learn from the older players. So, it is a win-win. For more information please contact your "Team Formation Director" in your league.

Subdivision / Schools / Area Teams
ATTEMPTS are made to keep subdivisions, schools, and areas together but it is ALWAYS secondary to "BALANCED TEAMS." FFPS uses a BALANCED TEAM SYSTEM" which is based on ability and age (based on knowledge FFPS has) to ensure fairness and fun games.

Friend Request Policy
General Policies
1. Only one (1) friend connected to any one player.
2. Friends MUST be born in the same Year of Birth or meet Play up/Play Down exceptions.
3. Friend Requests are never guaranteed. Always at FFPS's discretion and can be denied at any time for any reason.
4. FFPS is not obligated to notify you if your request is denied.

Friend Request Procedures
A. BOTH players sign up ONLINE:
 1. Must provide PLAYER ID NUMBER of friend OR friend provides your PLAYER ID NUMBER. (Not Parent User ID Number)
  Can provide either:
   a) During sign up online.
   b) After sign up at 'My Account'
 2. Player names are NOT accepted.  ONLY Player ID Number.
 3. To find Player ID Number: Provided after signup in confirmation email or go to 'My Account' after sign up.

B. ONE or BOTH players sign up by MAIL-IN.
 1.If one friend signs up online, online friend provides Player ID number to mail in friend or BOTH must mail in together.

Play Up / Down Age Policy
Generally teams are formed by single year of birth.
(YOB means Year of Birth) (ie. 1993, 1992, etc.)

Exceptions to move out of your Year of Birth:
A. Play Up to an Older (YOB) Age (only one YOB):
1. January birthday
2. Scored 15+ goals in FFPS last season (approval required)
B. Play Down to a Younger (YOB) Age (only one YOB):
1. December birthday
2. Never played soccer before (first season only)
3. Special Needs Player (Needs approval)

Registration Director MUST approve ALL exceptions.  Please call your Registration Director if you have a play up or down age request. Contact info is at 'Contact Us.'

Special Needs Players
We pay special attention to Special Needs Children (children with mental and/or physical challenges) and placement in the proper age group is vital to their success. You MUST contact your Registration Director to discuss approval BEFORE PLACEMENT CAN BE MADE . Also, you MUST fill out portion on Registration Form under "SPECIAL NEEDS" section.