| U6 & U7 First Kix Program |  |
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In September 2005, Lions Gate rolled out the Tim Horton's First Kix Program for U6 & U7 boys. This kid-focused grassroots soccer program focused on free play, skill development and 3-on-3 games with minimal rules. First Kix was a big hit with players and parents - we sold out!
From our 2005/2006 Soccer Season onward, Lions Gate will be running First Kix for the U6 & U7 age groups. The program will involve once a week sessions on the weekend (approximately one hour in length), working with volunteer parent coaches and Staff Coaches from the North Shore Soccer Development Centre. The boys will be involved in fun games and exercises designed to introduce the game of soccer in an age appropriate manner. Teams will not be set for this age level, however lots of small-sided games, "Mini World Cups" and other fun competition will take place on a regular basis. This change has been initiated to bring our development program more into line with development models promoted by The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), the BC Soccer Association and our local District Development Centre (DDC) - The North Shore Soccer Development Centre, head coach Carl Valentine. The program is designed to promote excellent soccer skill development in a fun atmosphere.
In concert with First Kix U6 and U7, Lions Gate Soccer and The North Shore Soccer Development Centre are dedicated to developing enthusiastic, knowledgeable, fun and qualified PARENT COACHES. These new coaches will be qualified by CSA and The National Coaching Certification Program to help these young athletes develop through our soccer programs. The season runs from mid-September to early December and from February to May for U6 and U7 players.
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions for details about the program.
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| First Kix Program Information | |
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What is First Kix?This program is based on the concept of "giving the kids back the game" by providing free play, skill development and small-sided games with minimal rules. First Kix is endorsed by the North Shore Soccer Development Centre (NSSDC) and it is in line with the Mini Soccer program promoted by BC Soccer on small sided games. The Canadian Soccer Association recommends this type of programs as their grassroots soccer model. This program has already been implemented in clubs across the Lower Mainland with excellent results.
Who is this program for?For the season starting September 2008, who will be 5 or 6 years old as of Dec 31, who live in the NV Lions Gate catchment area (bordered by the Capilano River and Grand Blvd.) in North Vancouver.
Will there be teams?Yes, there will be teams. A manager will be assigned to each team to handle information distribution, uniforms and sign-in procedures etc.
Teams will be formed by combining kids from 2-3 schools with consideration given to parental requests so that boys can play with friends and parents can carpool.
Please list the boys your son would like to play with on the registration form to provide us with input to the process of team formation. Teams will consist of approximately 10 players and will be mixed into different playing groups of 3-4 boys for Saturday mini-games.
What is the format?The U7 and U6 players First Kix Soccer program consists of one hour sessions on Saturday between 9:45-3:45 pm. Players will be assigned to one of the following time slots depending on the number registrations: 9:45–10:45, 11:00-12:00, 12:15-1:15, 1:30-2:30, and 2:45-3:45.
Players will come to their assigned Saturday sessions, sign in with their manager and pick up their coloured bib. We encourage players to get to know all the players on their squad and feel comfortable playing with any of them.
When does the season start?Boys will be called after Labour Day by their team manager. The season will start mid-September and go until the end of November (no session on Thanksgiving weekend). After a break for Christmas and inclement weather, the sessions will start up again mid-February and run until Spring Break (no session on spring break weekends) and then spring session will run until the end of May. (no sessions on Easter or Victoria Day weekends) We celebrate the soccer program with a Pee Wee Jamboree and trophy ceremony.
Where do the boys play?NVLG is working to secure a grass field for this special program. An alternate field will be assigned if the grass field is closed due to heavy rain. Parents can check the NV Parks and Rec field line for status. Actual field locations will be confirmed in September and February.
Who will be coaching?NSSDC professional coaches will be working with Club volunteer coaches (parents) to coach players and facilitate games. The coaches will be assigned to squads, and like the players, will be assigned a different playing group each week. All coaches will be trained in the philosophies and ideals of this program and the Club. Volunteer coaches working at the First Kix program have the opportunity to become certified coaches under the Community Coaching Certification program at the Youth level. Theory and top up sessions may be required to complete CCY Level 1. Our Club promotes coach training – help us reach of our goal of 100% certification for LG coaches.
What will be the role of parents?The First Kix program needs parents interested in coaching and managing the squads. NV Lions Gate will provide training and support. All volunteers will be required to complete a Risk Management Form. If you can help, please check the volunteer box on your registration form. Lions Gate is a volunteer-run organization – we have a position for you.
Managers: Responsible for providing information to players and parents, distribution and return of LG uniforms, sign-in at First Kix sessions, assigning team parents to odd jobs such as parking marshals, snacks, sign-in, first aid, and Jamboree planning.
Coaches: Responsible for overseeing drills, teaching soccer skills, rules of the game and sportsmanship, facilitating the small-sided games, equipment management and providing the boys with a fun, supportive environment.
First aid helpers: Responsible for players’ medical forms, carrying, stocking and maintaining squad first aid kits and being able on site to tend to injuries. First Aid certification would be beneficial but is not required.
All parents are invited to stay at all sessions and support their children.
What does my son need?All players will be provided with a uniform: NVLG jersey, shorts and socks (you get to keep the socks). Uniform deposit required – the league charges for lost uniforms.
Please ensure your son has shin pads, soccer cleats, a labeled water bottle and the desire to play soccer. For cold wet weather, a hat and gloves are recommended to keep the little ones warm.
Who do I talk to if I want to volunteer?The Club is always looking for volunteers. We are looking for parent coaches, board members, equipment coordinators and team managers. Parents interested in helping should check the volunteer box on the registration form or contact the league by phone or email.
How do I register?
- Go to our website, register online.(pay by credit card or cheque)
- Fee -see Registration Information (cash or cheque) covering September – May
- Visit our website www.lionsgatesoccer.com
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| First Kix FAQ | |
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| Question |
Answer |
| What does First Kix offer? |
Lions Gate Soccer is committed to providing a Soccer Program where all players in the club should have the opportunity to:
- Learn the game of soccer and develop soccer skills
- Develop a sense of team spirit, commitment and fair play
- Enjoy playing soccer
We have found our First Kix program a very effective method to enable the players to develop to the best of their ability and enjoy their soccer experience so they want to return year after year.
Please read about the Development Program for a detailed explanation of why it works. |
| Will my son be on a team? |
Yes, we will create teams for First Kix. In keeping with the Pee Wee team formation guidelines, these teams will be comprised of kids from 2-3 schools. Each training session will have approximately 6 teams training together at the same time. |
| Can my son be with his friend? |
Yes. You can specify on the registration form the name of a couple of friends he would like to be grouped with. |
| Can my son be with his school mates? |
Yes. We will try and divide players into their Saturday training session by grouping 2-3 school per tem. This means there will be 2-3 kids from the same school (if possible) on each team. |
| Will U6 & U7 be playing together? |
No. There will be three U7 and two U6 sessions spread out from 9:45 to 4:00pm |
| How long is the soccer season? |
The First Kix U6 & U7 Program will be a split season. The first session will run from mid-September until the last weekend of November. The second session will run from the mid-February until the end of May.
This split was created so the young players do not have to play in the rainy, cold wet weather that is quite common in December & January. An extension into May will hopefuly provide them with sunny, spring weather which quite often will hit us early in the year.We want the children to enjoy thier soccer, not be miserable because of the cold & rain. |
| What equipment will my son need for soccer? |
Soccer cleats and shin guards are mandatory for soccer. They can be purchased at any sporting goods store or used equipment can be found at sports swaps or used equipment stores. The club will provide a jersey, shorts and socks at the first session. Each player will be required to pay a uniform deposit. The deposit will be returned when the jersey and shorts must be returned at the end of the season. On cold rainy days - please dress appropriately - jacket (under jersery) rain pants, toque and gloves are great for keeping young players warm and happy. |
| What time will my son play on the weekend? |
The Saturday training sessions will run from 9:45 am - 3:45 pm. You will not know the exact time of your son's training session until early fall. The sessions will begin in mid-September. You should receive a call within the first 2 weeks of September to let you know your time. |
| What happens if my son cannot make his assigned time on the weekend? |
We will do our best to reassign your son to a different group at a time that will fit your schedule. Please be aware if you request a time change after the sessions have been set, we may not be able to accomodate your son's request to be with a specific friend. |
| Who will run the training sessions? |
The training session will be run by professional coaches from the North Shore Soccer Development Center (NSSDC). We will also have parent helpers on the field working with the kids under the guidance of the NSSDC staff. |
| I Would like to be a coach. Can I help out? |
Yes. We need parent volunteer coaches. These coaches will be on the field each week working with the players under the guidance of the NSSDC staff. Your time on the field will be credited towards a Community Coach Child (CC-C) coaching certificate. Once again we will have large groups assigned to a specific time and the kids will be broken into smaller groups, but the parent coaches will run the practice sessions. When the players reach U8, there will be a group of qualified parent coaches ready to take on the duties of a coach/asst-coach for a team. |
| Will my son have a practice during the week? |
No, there will be no practice sessions for the U6 or U7 age groups. |
| Will the training sessions ever be cancelled? |
Soccer is cancelled if the field is snowy, icy or frozen and too dangerous to play on. Soccer is played rain or shine. Sometimes the grass fields are closed in which case the games are moved to the alternate all-weather fields. Call the North Vancouver Field Line at 604-983-6444 ext. 503 to check the status of First Kix. |
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| Player Development | |
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For information about Player Development please go to our Development Programs webpage (see menu on the left).
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