FFPS History
Fun-Fair-Positive Soccer
Fun-Fair-Positive Soccer (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 of the katy youth soccer league registered 150 players - and in 2004 there were 2,000 players in Katy. In 1995, Jack decided to expand FFPS beyond Katy. FFPS has added 21 new programs in the last 24 years for a total of 16,000 players. The Houston-area youth soccer subdivisions supported by FFPS include: Aldine and Cy-Fair South, 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.
In 1986, the parents in Katy 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 Organization which develops youth soccer leagues with local volunteers, using 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 parents are positive fans "For the Kids."
Fun
5-a-side soccer (5 players per side instead of 11 per side) allows everyone to get the ball many times which makes our soccer program more fun - and the kids learn faster. This soccer format 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 size giving more attention to each 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 to optimize a Fun, Fair, Positive soccer experience.
-
Benefits:
- Fair to each player
- Fair opportunity for every team
Positive
Both coaches on the field are allowed 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, 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.
Community Involvement
FFPS believes that it is important to be involved in the community. Here are a few areas where FFPS is active:
- We work with schools to help 'At Risk' kids get into our program. Through FFPS, parents become more engaged which can be key to building self-esteem in youth.
- We work with schools to ensure fields are well-kept.
- We provide financial scholarships to anyone in Houston and the surrounding area who needs it. Our philosophy is "Everyone Plays".
Special Needs
FFPS believes in including all kids which is why we are a 100% inclusion program. After registering, parents of children with Special Needs are interviewed to ensure FFPS meets their needs (mental and/or physical challenges). After the interview, we place the child in the proper age group and may make other changes that help meet the child's needs to ensure the best soccer experience!
