Frequently Asked Questions
• Do I have to be a resident of Manchester to play for MNSL?
• Where will my child’s practices be held?
• Where will games be played?
• What if it rains?
• How are teams formed?
• Is there any special equipment my child needs to play soccer?
• How much will my child play during the game?
• How many games will be played?
• My child has never played soccer so we are new to the sport. Where should we start?
• I am interested in coaching my child’s team but have no experience, how can I become a coach?
• I have an older child who is interested in refereeing, how can I sign him/her up?
Q: Do I have to be a resident of Manchester to play for MNSL?
A: No. We are focused on attracting players from our part of the city but we will accept players from other towns.
Q: Where will my child’s practices be held?
A: The exact location of practice will depend on the division the child plays in. Generally speaking, all practices will be held at a location in North Manchester. Please confirm practice location for you child’s team with the coach when he first calls you.
Q: Where will games be played?
A: Generally all MNSL games will be held at Livingston Field on either the Large Field or the Small Field. Our website contains maps of the field as configured for play during the season. Once the schedule is complete and distributed, you can use the schedule to determine from the maps on the website the exact field location at the Livingston complex. Older divisions (U12 and up) may play inter league games which may be held at Livingston or could be held at the other leagues fields. Additionally, City and State Tournaments will be held at other locations. Please stay in contact with your child’s coach to confirm location prior to the day of the game.
Q: What if it rains?
A: MNSL will make every effort to play games as scheduled, even in less than perfect weather. We will NOT, however, compromise the safety of participants just to get a game or practice in. Please contact your coach directly in the event of inclement weather or call 647-1766 for up to date weather information during the season.
Q: How are teams formed?
A: We try to use a balance of factors in creating as equal teams as possible. For U8 and up divisions, returning players will have been rated by their coaches the prior season and those ratings will be used to establish teams. Age, gender and experience are also factors that are taken into consideration. Under NO circumstances will we allow requests to place players on certain teams as this impedes our ability to create evenly matched teams. The main thing to remember is that team formation is not an exact science. We do the best we can to create evenly matched teams in each division but we are not perfect.
Q: Is there any special equipment my child needs to play soccer?
A: MNSL will provide uniforms to each player and for younger players (U6 and U8); minimal equipment will be provided to the coaches (balls, cones). It is the parents’ responsibility to provide soccer cleats (round plastic studs, not rectangular plastic cleats for baseball and definitely no metal spikes!), athletic supporter, mouth guard and so forth. Check with your coach upon receiving his/her initial call what’s needed to start practicing.
Q: How much will my child play during the game?
A: MNSL is a recreational league designed to focus on skill development and having fun. MNSL mandates that ALL players play at least half of each game, preferably at multiple positions. Our coaches are instructed to honor this tenet during the season.
Q: How many games will be played?
A: Older divisions (U10 and up) play during the week as well as on weekends, depending on the exact schedule. Coaches for these teams may also practice during the week depending on the game schedule. Younger divisions (U6 and U8) play on weekends and practice once during the week.
Q: My child has never played soccer so we are new to the sport. Where should we start?
A: MNSL is focused on skill development for new and inexperienced players with the goal to have fun and develop a sense of pride and confidence in each player. We offer a terrific summer camp which is an ideal starting point for the first time player. Our website contains information and registration forms for our camp (held in late July/early August) and also has links to introductory material for families new to soccer with additional links to internet resources such as New Hampshire Soccer Association (NHSA), United State Youth Soccer Association as well as others that provide good information on how the game is played. Ask your coach or any MNSL Board member if you still have questions.
Q: I am interested in coaching my child’s team but have no experience, how can I become a coach?
A: Upon completing your registration form, you hopefully indicated your interest in coaching by checking the relevant box in the Parental Support section of the form. You do not need experience to be able to coach a team in MNSL. What you do need is a positive attitude, the desire and ability to serve as a good role model for the players and the willingness to learn the skills necessary to be an effective coach. Please note that not everyone who expresses an interest in coaching becomes a coach. It greatly depends on the number of teams we have and overall need. If you are selected to coach, you will contacted by a Division Manager and/or Director of Coaching. MNSL requires coaches to participate in coaching clinics that will be set up prior to the season starting (any fees associated with these clinics will be reimbursed by MNSL). In addition to this, there are a number of resources that are available to help coaches with drills, rules of the game and so forth.
Q: I have an older child who is interested in refereeing, how can I sign him/her up?
A: MNSL invites youth at least 12 years of age along with any interested adults to participate as referees during the season. Advise someone on the MNSL board of your interest either through registration or by phone or email. Serving as a ref is a great way to be involved with the league, develop your knowledge of the game, build self confidence, make extra money and stay in shape. MNSL offers clinics and other resources designed to help all coaches improve their skills. Refs with experience and skills are often patched by the state (NHSA) and MNSL will look to assign patched refs to games first. Any ref who aspires to become patched will be reimbursed by MNSL for any fees incurred in the process.