Soccer Sprouts: U-4

Soccer Sprouts, our U-4 program, is an instructor-led program designed specifically for three year old children and will be strictly limited to players whose date of birth makes them eligible to enroll in a U-4 age bracket. The program will utilize age appropriate games and challenges designed to introduce skills and concepts related to soccer to the very young player in a safe, fun, and non-competitive environment.

Rec. Minor: U-5 through U-8

The Rec. Minor program is made up of the U-5, U-6, U-7, and U-8 divisions and is conducted as co-ed play until U-10 when girls only teams become available. Teams play an eight game schedule, usually four home and four away, and do not have an end-of-season tournament. The focus of the Rec. Minor program is on individual skill development.

The U-5 - U-8 divisions utilize referees to help teach the players the laws of the game, but no official scores are kept or posted on the website. Therefore, no standings are maintained for any teams in the program.

Rec. Major: U-10 and U-12

The Rec. Major program is made up of the U-10 and U-12 divisions and offers both co-ed and girls only teams. Teams play an eight game schedule, usually four home and four away, and have an end-of-season tournament. The tournaments are typically held the week or weekend after the final regular season games are completed.

Teams in this age group typically play one, sometimes two, games per week. However, the structure of the season varies by division and number of teams participating.

• U-10 Co-Ed - This is typically the largest of the Rec. Major divisions. Due to its size, all games are played with teams within the division. The tournament is typically broken up into upper and lower brackets to accommodate the wide range of abilities across the teams.
• U-10 Girls - This division is relatively small and plays a combination of league games within GSA and friendly games with other teams outside of GSA. The end-of-season tournament is typically a single bracket and plays the weekend after the final regular season games.
• U-12 (Both Co-Ed and Girls) - These divisions play in a hybrid league consisting of teams from both GSA and Columbus East Soccer Association (CESA). Games are played at both Headley Park in Gahanna and the Soccer Fields at Easton. The schedule is structured in such a way that the teams from each association will play all of their own association's teams and then fill in the remainder with games against the other association. All teams play at least four home games and we do our best to minimize the number of "road games". Both divisions play an end-of-season tournament that is usually broken into upper and lower divisions. Tournament games, like regular season games, are held at both Headley Park and the Soccer Fields at Easton.

Middle School Soccer Association (MSSA)

Middle School Soccer Association is open to all participants that are in 6th, 7th or 8th grade. However, it is strongly encouraged that 6th graders remain in the U-12 division. MSSA is an upper recreational program. MSSA teams plays teams from other communities in the Central Ohio area.

MSSA teams are coached by parent volunteers. The league has both co-ed and girls only teams available. Games are typically played on Wednesday and Saturdays for Girls, and Thursday and Saturdays for co-ed teams. There are typically 5 home games and 5 away games. The schedule is made by league, but subject to change. Coaches can adjust schedules to field and team member availability. Week day games may be out of division but closer to home while weekend games tend to be in division and may travel anywhere in Central Ohio.

There is an end of season tournament. The tournament last 2 weeks starting the Monday after the regular season ends. League determines time and place. Tournament concludes on Sunday of the second weekend with the championship game in each division.

More information can be found about MSSA on the Columbus East Soccer Association website.

High School Soccer Association (HSSA)

High School Soccer Association is for participants that are in 9th through 12th grade. HSSA is an upper recreational program. HSSA teams play teams from other communities in the Central Ohio area.

HSSA teams are coached by parent volunteers. The league is co-ed. Games are played various days throughout the week. There are typically 4 home games and 4 away games. The schedule is made by league, but subject to change. Coaches can adjust schedules to field and team member availability. Week day games may be out of division but closer to home while weekend games tend to be in division and may travel anywhere in Central Ohio.

More information can be found about HSSA on the Columbus East Soccer Association website.