Signup Divisions Schedule Parents Coaches Contact
Spring 2026 Season — Now Registering

NW Youth
Soccer
Association

Volunteer-run recreational soccer for kids ages 1–15 in the Comstock Park & Grand Rapids area. Skill development, teamwork, and a love for the game.

Ask anything about the program
NWYSA Assistant
Signup fees
Open spots
Season dates
Rain policy
Discounts
Field locations
Current Season
Spring 2026
Signup
Late — Ends Apr 19
Games Begin
April 25
U7/8/9 Spots
3 Open
U2/3/4 Spots
3 Open
Season Ends
June 6

Register Your Player

Enter your child's birthday to instantly find their division and fee. Then submit an inquiry and we'll reach out with payment details.

Divisions

All age cutoffs are based on your child's age as of July 31, 2025. Click any division for full details.

Ages 1–3
Under 2/3/4
Intro · Parent & child together
Saturdays · 45 min sessions
Late fee: $75 · 3 spots open
  • Parent and child participate together each session
  • Age-appropriate soccer activities — fun is the priority
  • Saturdays, 10:15am, 45-minute sessions
  • 6–7 sessions per season (weather permitting)
  • Supplied: Team T-shirt  ·  Ball size #3 (optional)
  • Cleats and shinguards optional at this age
  • No formed group limit for this division
Ages 3–5
Under 4/5/6
Rec · 5v5–7v7 · 12-min quarters
Practice once/week · 6–7 games
Late fee: $85 · Full
  • Introduction-beginner soccer instruction
  • Practice once per week, Mon–Fri, 6:00–7:00pm
  • Saturday games, 12-min quarters, 5-min halftime
  • Teams do NOT switch sides at halftime
  • No slide tackling, no heading, no offside
  • 3-goal max per player per game
  • 5-goal difference: teams adjust player count
  • Supplied: Team T-shirt  ·  Ball size #3
  • Required: Cleats and shinguards
  • Play time: minimum 50%
Ages 6–8
Under 7/8/9
Rec · 7v7–9v9 · 25-min halves
Practice once/week · 6–7 games
Late fee: $85 · 3 spots open
  • Beginner–intermediate soccer instruction
  • Practice once per week, Mon–Fri, 6:00–7:15pm
  • Saturday games, 25-min halves, 5-min halftime
  • Teams switch sides at halftime
  • No slide tackling, no heading, no offside
  • 3-goal max per player — 3-goal lead triggers team challenges
  • 5-goal lead: goals must come off a pass from attacking half
  • Supplied: Team T-shirt  ·  Ball size #4
  • Required: Cleats and shinguards
  • Play time: minimum 50%
Ages 9–11
Under 10/11/12
Rec Travel · 11v11 · 35-min halves
Practice twice/week · 6–7 games
Late fee: $110 · Full
  • Intermediate level — home development expected
  • Practice twice per week, 1–1.5 hours each
  • 11v11, 35-min halves, proportional boys/girls on field
  • No slide tackling, no heading
  • Play time: 60% more skilled / 40% less skilled
  • Away games vs Northview, EGR, Belding, GR MFA
  • Supplied: Full uniform set (jersey, shorts, socks)
  • Required: Cleats, shinguards, size #4 ball
  • No non-Northwest Wolfpack wear in games or pictures
Ages 12–15
Under 13/14/15
Rec Travel · 11v11 · 35-min halves
Practice twice/week · 7–8 games
Late fee: $120 · Full
  • Intermediate–advanced level
  • Practice twice per week, 1–1.5 hours each
  • 11v11, 35-min halves, proportional boys/girls on field
  • No slide tackling — heading IS allowed at this level
  • Play time: 70% more skilled / 30% less skilled
  • Away games vs Northview, Rockford, EGR, Belding, GR MFA
  • Supplied: Full uniform set (jersey, shorts, socks)
  • Required: Cleats, shinguards, size #5 ball
  • No non-Northwest Wolfpack wear in games or pictures

Season Schedule & Fields

Key dates for the Spring 2026 season. During the season, your head coach handles all game-specific communication through your team app.

📅 Key Dates

Early Signup Period
Oct 13 – Jan 25
Regular Signup Period
Jan 26 – Mar 22
Season Handout & Rosters Sent
April 12
Head Coach Preseason Calls
April 14–16
Preseason Meeting & Clinic Day
April 18
Late Signup Ends
April 19
Games Begin
April 25 ★
Picture Days
Week of May 4
Memorial Day Picnics
May 16
Weeknight Games Begin
Week of May 18
No Saturday Sessions
May 23
Support Those Who Serve Event
May 28 · 6:00pm
Season Ends
June 6
Gear Return
June 10 · 6:30pm

📍 Home Fields

Primary Field
Walker Charter Academy (WCA)
1801 3 Mile Road NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Open in Maps ↗
Alternate Field
Alpine Township Sports Complex (ATSC)
1700 Alpine Church Road NW, Comstock Park, MI
Open in Maps ↗

🗓 Fall 2026 Signup

Early Signup Opens
May 18
Regular Signup
Jun 15 – Aug 16
Late Signup
Aug 17 – Sep 13
Fall Games Begin
September 19
Fall Season Ends
October 31

Parents & Coaches

For Parents
For Coaches
Referees

Arrival Times

  • U4 players: 10 minutes before session
  • U6 players: 15 minutes before game
  • U9 players: 20 minutes before game
  • U12 & U15 players: 30 minutes before game

Attendance

Players should attend every team activity when possible — even if arriving late or leaving early. Give your Head Coach and Team Manager at least one day's notice for any absence. U12/U15 multi-sport players need to attend at least one practice per week.

Weather & Cancellations

Practices: Head Coach cancels if conditions warrant. Not rescheduled.

Games: NWYSA decides. Cancellations posted on website home page and emailed to all. Head Coaches notify their teams. Rescheduled when possible.

Lightning: Immediate suspension. Resume only 30 minutes after last sighting.

Tornado watch or warning: All activities canceled immediately.

Health & Safety

Inform your team staff of any health issues — including food allergies for end-of-game snacks — before the season begins. If someone other than the parents is picking up, let the team staff know in advance. Two adults must remain until all players are picked up.

Key Policies

Conduct

Civil behavior required at all NWYSA activities. Players: 1st incident = warning, 2nd = suspension, 3rd = possible removal. WCA is a no-smoking, alcohol-free zone.

Divorced Parents

Both parents are treated as equals and kept updated unless a court order states otherwise. The child is never penalized for a parent's choices.

Refunds

Full refund if player quits before regular signup ends. No refund after regular signup once assigned to a team. Medical issues handled case by case with proof.

Problem Resolution

Team-level issues: speak with your Head Coach first. Program-level issues: contact NWYSA. Please don't involve other members in your dispute.

Picture Day

Week of May 4. All players and coaches must participate in team wear — even if not purchasing individual photos. Player pictures are shipped to your home. Order at inter-state.com ↗

Head Coach Requirements

  • Pass a risk management background check
  • Complete required preseason online training
  • Attend preseason Head Coaches meeting
  • Attend preseason coaches clinic
  • Perform parent intro call/email before season
  • Maintain at least 2 adults at all team activities
  • Use English at all team activities

Required Training (US Soccer)

Step 1: Create account at learning.ussoccer.com ↗

Step 2: Free "Introduction to Grassroots Coaching" module

Step 3: Free Safe Sport course — email certificate to NwSoc13@Gmail.Com

Step 4: Division-specific paid course ($26.02 — reimbursed on completion)
U6: 7v7 Course  ·  U9: 9v9 Course  ·  U12/U15: 11v11 Course

Non-Parent Coach Pay

U4: $200  ·  U6: $300  ·  U9: $400  ·  U12: $500  ·  U15: $600 (per season)

Play Time Requirements

  • U4/5/6: 50% minimum
  • U7/8/9: 50% minimum
  • U10/11/12: 60% more skilled / 40% less skilled
  • U13/14/15: 70% more skilled / 30% less skilled

Recommended substitution apps: 4Dot6, SubNow, SubTime, CoachAny

Team Gear Issued Each Season

Gear bag, balls, coach board, cones (20 for U6/U9, 30 for U12/U15), keeper gloves and jersey, first aid kit, ball pump, practice vests, coach whistle. All returned cleaned on June 10 at 6:30pm.

Team Challenges (when dominating)

When your team is winning by 3+ goals against a fellow NW team, implement challenges: 1v1 moves, combination play, weak-foot use, drop back passes. Give less-skilled players majority time. This develops your team for tougher opponents.

Interested in Coaching?

Contact us at NwSoc13@Gmail.Com or call 616.514.0637. We always need good coaches and the training is straightforward.

Requirements

  • Age 12 or older
  • Soccer player or coach experience preferred
  • USSF Certification preferred but not required

Pay Per Game

  • U6: $10 ($15 if USSF certified)
  • U9: $15 ($20 if USSF certified)
  • U12: $30 single / $25 if two refs ($35/$30 certified)
  • U15: $35 single / $30 if two refs ($40/$35 certified)

Paid in cash after your last assignment of the day.

How Assignments Work

  • Monday: email lists that Saturday's games
  • By Wednesday: reply with your availability and max games
  • Thursday: assignment confirmed by email (no email = not assigned)

What to Wear

  • Referee shirt (yellow; black if two refs)
  • Black shorts or pants, black socks
  • Soccer shoes, whistle, watch with stopwatch
  • Yellow and red cards

Interested in Refereeing?

Email NwSoc13@Gmail.Com or call 616.514.0637

Become a Sponsor

Your business supports youth soccer in the northwest Grand Rapids community. Every sponsor is recognized on game day and on this site.

To sponsor, email NwSoc13@Gmail.Com or download the sponsor form ↗

Contact Us

The NWYSA is run entirely by volunteers. We do our best to respond to all inquiries within 24–48 hours. For urgent matters, call or text.

📧
📞

Phone

616.514.0637
📫

Mailing Address

PO Box 202
Comstock Park, Michigan 49321