The U4 program is specifically designed for all new players that are 3 or 4 years of age.  It is a great hands-on program that gets parents onto the field and involved with their children. The kids get an opportunity to learn the basic fundamentals of soccer, with the emphasis on having fun and being active.

The U6 program is the next step for kids that are 5 or 6 years of age. They will begin to develop the basic soccer skills including proper kicking techniques, passing and ball control with organized fun mini games of 2 vs 2, 3 vs. 3, etc. to help them understand basic positioning, goal tending and game play.

The Under 8 Division is for 7 and 8 year olds. This is where kids learn the rules of the game, team work, passing, shooting and more advanced skill training to prepare them for soccer games. The Markdale House League allows kids to play soccer once a week in Markdale, (with no travel), including a skills & drills session, followed by a mini game of 5 vs. 5 soccer, in a non-competitive environment.

They play games with referees and begin to understand the various positions, team work, passing and scoring of goals. From our House League, we will offer travel soccer teams from those players that are interested in playing a second night of soccer each week, (*additional cost). These travel teams will compete in 5 vs. 5 soccer games against other local house league teams in the Inter County Soccer League, (Markdale, Mount Forest, Hanover and Durham).

Players must play in the House League to be eligible to play on the travel teams. Travel teams will be offered to all players that want to play, but if there are more players than available spots, we will utilize a try-out process that, among other factors, accounts for maximum numbers of boys allowed and minimum numbers of girls on each co-ed team, to ensure they meet the co-ed requirements. Players in this age group may be asked to A.P. (affiliated player), to the age group above them to help fill out team numbers and replace sick, injured or absent players.

*** Exceptional Player Status – Markdale Minor Soccer recognizes that some exceptional players may be able to play in an age group above their date of birth, so cases will be reviewed on an individual basis. The criteria being the players ability vs. their peers of the same age group, the number of players registered in both involved age groups, the coaches comments, the parents’ permission and final Executive approval.

The Under 10 Division is a natural progression from the Under 8 program and is for kids that are 9 & 10 years old. Kids will continue to learn the rules of the game, learn positions, (ie. defender, striker, rover, goal tender, etc.) in a team environment. The emphasis will be on teaching core skills, including shooting, passing and ball control. RONDO training plays a big role in the training and development of players in this age group.

The Markdale House League will allow kids to play soccer once a week in Markdale, (with no travel), including a skills & drills session, followed by a mini game of 7 vs.7 soccer. They play games with referees on a larger field and begin to understand the various positions, team work, passing and scoring of goals in a non-competitive environment.

From this House League, we will offer travel soccer teams for those players that are interested in playing a second night of soccer each week, (* additional cost). These travel teams will compete in 7 vs. 7 soccer games against other local teams in the Inter County Soccer League, (Markdale, Chatsworth, Mount Forest, Blue Mountains, Hanover and Durham). Players must play in the House League to be eligible to play on the travel teams. Travel teams will be offered to all players that want to play, but if there are more players than available spots, we will utilize a try-out process to select the teams that, among other factors, accounts for maximum numbers of boys allowed and minimum numbers of girls on each co-ed team, to ensure they meet the league’s co-ed requirements. Players in this age group may be asked to A.P. (affiliated player), to the age group above them to help fill out team numbers and replace sick, injured or absent players.

*** Exceptional Player Status – Markdale Minor Soccer recognizes that some exceptional players may be able to play in an age group above their date of birth, so cases will be reviewed on an individual basis. The criteria being the players ability vs. their peers of the same age group, the number of players registered in both involved age groups, the coaches comments, the parents’ permission and final Executive approval.

The Under 12 program has changed significantly province wide to adapt to the new Long Term Player Development (L.T.P.D.). Players compete in 9 vs. 9 soccer on a unique sized field. We will offer boys only and girls only teams in the Lakeshore Soccer League. Teams will have 1 game per week plus 1 team practice per week.

This new program will help to transition players from the mini game to full sided soccer in U13 and above. The emphasis of this age group will be on individual skill development and team concepts.

Players in this age group may be asked to A.P. (affiliated player), to the age group above them to help fill out team numbers and replace sick, injured or absent players.

The Under 15 program plays on a full size field with an 11 vs. 11 format. Teams are offered in boys only and girls only within the Lakeshore Soccer League. Teams will have 1 game per week plus 1 team practice per week. Practice nights are set by the coach in consultation with the team.

Players in this age group may be offered the chance to to A.P. (affiliated player) to the age group above them to help fill out team numbers and replace sick or injured players.

The Under 18 Division is for players that are 16, 17 and & 18 years of age. They will either play on girls only or boys only teams in the Lakeshore Soccer League. Each team will have 1 game per week and 1 team practice per week, (if possible, based on player availability.) Practice nights will be determined by field and player availability.

The Lakeshore Soccer League consists of teams from Markdale, Mount Forest, Hanover, Durham, Walkerton, Saugeen Shores, Tara, Kincardine and a few others.

The Open program is intended for players over 18 years of age. Many players in the program are in their 20’s, 30’s, and some are in their 40’s and 50’s. The Open Division provides a pathway for competitive soccer to be a life-long activity for players in our area. Both women’s and men’s teams are offered. The Open Division plays within the Lakeshore Soccer League and includes towns such as Hanover, Mount Forest and Saugeen Shores. Each team will play 1 game per week and also hold 1 practice per week (based on player availability).