Equipment

WHAT DOES THE PLAYER HAVE TO PROVIDE.

Outdoor:

• Shin Guards. Shin guards are MANDATORY. They must be worn inside the socks, so if the player has sensitive skin, take a look at the materials they are made from. There are many different styles, soft ones, ones with hard shells, strap-on ones, ones that hook under the foot, etc. Velcro fastenings can take their toll on socks, so pull-on styles have an advantage, but pull-on's are not adjustable. Your choice, but I definitely recommend types with a hard outer shell.
• Soccer Shoes. Many different brands and price points. None of them are leather any more, they’re all synthetic. Some brands are optimized for different types of ground - hard, normal, muddy. Most of the games will be played on fairly hard ground, so if you have a choice, that’s the way to go. For younger players (Under-5 and Under-7 for sure) - we recommend buying the cheapest shoes that are comfortable (with thick socks) as they will only last one season before the player grows out of them. Older players will need more than this: choice varies by store.
• Water Bottle and Sun Block. We play in the summer, it’s a physical game so prevent sun burn and dehydration!
• (Optional: a wind-breaker and long underwear may be required for away games in Grand Valley, it’s cold and windy there.

Indoor.

• Shin Guards: see OUTDOOR above.
• Shorts, socks: can buy them at a sports store or use ones from outdoor season if you have them.
• Indoor Soccer Shoes. For use in school gyms, you must use CLEAN, NON-MARKING shoes, which can be indoor training shoes, basketball, etc. You can buy special indoor soccer shoes, they tend to be $60 - $90, and this is the best choice for players who have stopped growing. BUT for use in the new FALL FAIR BUILDING, you will need OUTDOOR SHOES! The special high-tech fake grass in there has granules of rubber in it, so make sure you ask what types of cleats are recommended. The ones from your outdoor season will probably be perfect.

WHERE DO WE BUY THIS STUFF?

Here is a list of stores and the products that they carry.