Kanawha Valley United Soccer Club: Welcome
Welcome!! You are now on the one site providing information on recreational soccer in the Cross Lanes, Nitro, St. Albans and Poca, West Virginia areas. Our goal is to make this site the place for information on field conditions, upcoming events, and teams. Check back often for new information.KVU is committed to providing a safe and fun environment for children ranging in age from 4 to 19. We offer both Mixed and Girls soccer teams. Our U-4 level is a developmental league for younger kids ages 3 and 4. We offer referee opportunties for kids over age 12 and adults to learn the game while earning extra money. Our partnership with the Southern West Virginia Adult Soccer League is a great way for everyone in the family to learn and play the sport. Our commitment to training provides coaches the resources they need to properly develop their players.
We hope you find this site helpful. Please contact us if you have any questions. Please note that information related to Active memberships and magazine subscriptions are not affiliated with KVU or any persons related to this league. You may disregard this information.
Wednesday, September 23
Uniroyal and Appalachian Tire are offering free soccer balls to our players. Simply take this form to Appalachian tire and you will get a free soccer ball!
Handout: Uniroyal/Appalachin Tire Program
Wednesday, September 9
The practice schedule for all KVU teams is available for download in the Handouts section. The official game schedule for all KVSL teams is available for download at www.kvsl.org. Please check the game schedule often in the first two weeks as sometimes the schedule will change due to adding/deleting teams. Coaches should call the opposing team each week to verify the game, time, and location.
Wednesday, September 9
Registration for Fall 2009 soccer is CLOSED. U4 Players: If you are registered in the U4 program, you will be contacted in the near future regarding the KVU Lil Kickers Training Program. This program will provide one hour of instruction each week for both players and parents. The training coordinator will contact you regarding the program and details will also be posted on this site.
Contact Registrar Stacie Hughart at 304.755.5420 or 304.542.4104 with any questions.
KEY DATES:
August 18 - Coaches Meeting (7:00pm) at Cross Lanes United Methodist Church
August 24 - Practices begin
September 12 - First Game
October 10 & 11 - U10 Tournament (All U10 teams participate)
October 31 - Last Game
November 7 & 8: Kohls Cup Preliminary at Elk River Soccer Complex - Coaches for U9 and above teams are strongly encouraged to consider playing in this tournament. Kanawha Valley United will pay for entry fees.
November 14 & 15: Kohls Cup Finals, Jackson's Mill, WV
Monday, July 20
On July 6, 2009, the KVSL officially accepted the proposal for the St. Albans Youth Soccer Association (SAYSA) and Cross Lanes United Poca Soccer Association (CLNPSA) to merge into one group. This proposal had been discussed for the past two years and the groups had slowly integrated some operations over the past season, including a joint U4 training program and field operations. The combined group will be called KANAWHA VALLEY UNITED. CLNPSA President Joe Bevil commented, "This merger makes sense given that both groups already play games in St. Albans. We can combine our efforts to create better fields, grow our league, and offer new programs. SAYSA President Michael Rudge added, "Small associations will not work if we want to become competitive on a regional level. We need to have a solid recreational league to offer superior training, coaching, and referees." The new association will be the largest organization in the KVSL and one of the largest in the State.
Current coaches, players, and parents will not see much difference from past seasons. Board members from both associations will continue to work together to manage field operations and administrative issues. Current teams will NOT be reorganized. New teams will consist of players from both SAYSA and CLNPSA. More games will be played at Columbia Gas fields, reducing the need for travel as most teams will play either within the association or against Great Teays.
Monday, January 26
The KVSL voted in January 2009 to authorize a referee pilot program for U8 games played in the Great Teays, St. Albans, and CLNPSA soccer associations. Additional information will be provided to coaches at the next meeting. Referees will manage the game play and call fouls. Coaches will be on the sidelines when referees are on the field. The purpose of this program is to provide a more rigorous training program for referees, provide an introduction to referees for the players, and to encourage coaches/parents to support the referees as well as the children.
The KVSL voted in June 2008 to ban all slide-tackling in recreational games for U12 and below. Slide tackles will be considered dangerous play and result in an indirect free kick. Careless play can be considered a cautionable offense.
The KVSL voted in January 2008 to change the format for U7/U8 games and make necessary adjustments to roster sizes. The following rules take effect in Fall 2008:
U5/U6 - 3v3 - 10 players - dual-sided
U7/U8 - 4v4 - 10 players - One field
U9/10 - 6v6 - 12 players - One field
U11/12 - 8v8 - 14 players - One field
The changes will likely require more coaches as teams will have smaller roster sizes. The benefit is expected to be that coaches will be able to focus on training for a smaller group of kids during practice and games. The modifications are also meant to allow a normal progression for teams moving to each age bracket. Roster sizes, number of field positions, and field size will gradually increase as the players get older. Note: Existing teams will be grandfathered into the program, so every effort will be made to avoid "cutting"players from an existing team.
Friday, September 14