FFPS History
FFPS was founded in the spring of 1986, by Jack Hendrie and several parents, in Katy, Texas (near Houston) to establish a positive environment for youth soccer players. The first season in Katy saw 150 players enroll and in 2004 there were 2,000 players in Katy. In 1995 Jack decided to expand FFPS from Katy and FFPS has now added 17 new programs in these last 11 years with a total of 16,000 players for 2006 expected and 25,000 by 2010. The Houston-area youth soccer subdivisions supported by FFPS include: Aldine, Brookshire , Friendswood , Klein, League City, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Richmond, Rosenberg, Stafford, Sugarland, Waller, Cy-Fair West, Woodlands, West Houston, Fort Bend West, First Colony, Sienna Plantation, Spring Branch / Memorial, Fort Bend / Grand Parkway, Cy-Fair North, Spring / Klein, Clear Lake, Fulshear, Magnolia, Tomball, Humble, Kingwood, Cy-Fair South, Fort Bend East, Splendora and New Caney, Porter, Willis/Conroe, Westpark/Beltway, and Pearland. Leagues are divided into the North Houston region, Northeast Houston region, Northwest Houston region, South Houston region, Southwest Houston region, and the West Houston region.

A great feature of FFPS is our Special Needs Program where Special kids are included. In 1995 there was only one special needs child in FFPS and last season there were 81 special needs kids. 100 are expected this year.

The parents in Katy in 1986 felt there had to be a better way to provide every youth soccer player with a positive experience. They saw the main problem as parents who put too much pressure on the kids to perform and the programs that emphasized winning as the main focus. They developed a system so the kids could play and enjoy the sport without demands from adults to win or perform. They modified the rules and designed a process of 5 aside rules, equal play with a unique equal substitution system, balanced teams, and parent training to ensure that it would be fair. The parents would behave and be positive so it would be really "Made For Kids".

Mission Statement
FFPS is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Charitable Corporation to develop youth soccer leagues with special rules and extensive training given to ensure a maximum of Fun, Fairness, Self-esteem building, Success and a Positive experience in which Positive behavior and Positive values can be realized for every player and the parent are Positive Fans "For the Kids."

FUN:
5-A-Side soccer allows everyone to get the ball many times which makes soccer more fun and learning faster. It's a soccer format that comes from a South American version, Salon Football, Meaning "soccer in a small area" developed in the early 1930's. Thirteen million play 5 aside in South America today!

• BENEFITS:
• Allows for more player involvement thus more fun
• Manageable group for more attention per player.

FAIR:
All players rotate to each position and every player plays EQUALLY each game. We use a specially designed "Equal Substitution System" to guarantee this. Also, FFPS has no tryouts or all-star teams and all teams are balanced.

• BENEFITS:
• Fair to each player
• Fair opportunity for every team

Positive:
Both coaches are allowed on the field to use positive coaching and provide a safe environment by enforcing the rules with the proper discretion in a cooperative way. FFPS standards are very high for coaches as well as parents. We do not allow any derogatory comments or persistent yelling that would belittle, distract or embarrass players. We ask that if you must yell you Use encouragement!!! Better yet, relax, enjoy, and "LET THE KIDS PLAY!" It's for their fun!! If you use the words, Go, Good, Great, or Nice at the beginning of a sentence or phrase you'll always be a positive parent. i.e. Good Kick! Good Dribble! Nice Shot! Go Tigers!

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

Parent Involvement:
FFPS is an all-volunteer program. We need both Dads and Moms involved as it is enhances the kids enjoyment 10 times when their parents are involved with them in a positive way. FFPS has many ways for parents to be involved and the most important is COACHING. Coaching in FFPS is easy, fun, and VERY REWARDING. FFPS provides all the training needed. We need new coaches each season as we grow. The time needed is slightly more than your child's own time involved. Also, we want and need more moms to coach in FFPS as FFPS as 40% girls playing!!

Special Needs Kids:
Just 5 years ago, FFPS had its first Special Needs child play on a regular team. Since then, FFPS has grown to over 80 Special Needs kids playing and included. This not only helped the Special Needs kids but we have found that all the kids and parents have learned a great value by helping and supporting these children.

Safety:
FFPS is VERY SAFE!! In all of 2002 and 2003 there were only 2 reported youth soccer injuries requiring a claim. FFPS has 'secondary' medical insurance with $100 deductible just in case it is ever needed.

Financial Scholarships:
We provide financial scholarships to anyone in Houston and the surrounding area who needs it. "Everyone" plays.

"At Risk Youth"
We work with the schools to help 'At Risk' kids. FFPS also gets the parents involved, a key to troubled youths.

Teens:
Teens are one of the most rewarding youth soccer age groups to work with as they enjoy our equal play rule, fair and balanced teams, and positive coaching format. Teens get to meet many new friends because every season teams are formed to ensure they are balanced. This makes for fair and fun games. There are no tryouts in FFPS, so, the kids get to play without pressure to win or perform from the adults. FFPS has developed one of the largest groups of teens playing soccer in the Houston area. However, our newer, smaller leagues, may not have many teens yet, so, teens might play with a few preteens in these smaller leagues. Many times we have found this to be a big plus as the teens take on a more leadership role and help the preteens and the preteens learn from the teens. A win-win!! For more information please contact your "Team Formation Director" in your league.

Positive Values:
Values are realized as a result of the FFPS 'System.' The goal is EVERYONE BEING successful, included, belonging to a team, and building self-esteem, with positive coaches and positive involved parents. Using the FFPS 'System' enables everyone to truly enjoy their youth soccer experience.

Continuity:
FFPS uses the same format described to ensure continuity. FFPS has quality checks, accountability, and extensive training. FFPS is the only youth sport that has gone this far with such a system in the U.S. In many programs, it seems, well meaning parents designed the program around THEIR priorities and may times that would conflict with fairness.

Community Involvement:
FFPS gets involved in making improvements which will have a positive effect for all in the community.