RECREATION - FALL

2023 FALL SEASON: PRACTICE-PLAY MODEL

The Practice-Play structure of our Fall Rec Program is to allow teams and coaches to address the needs of their team and immediately apply them within the team’s game. Each team will arrive at their game field and use the first 15 minutes to run through activities with their team.

 

For the youngest players, this is a great opportunity to work on the fundamentals of agility, balance, and coordination in relation to dribbling/passing to beat defenders, shooting to score goals, and defending an opponent.

 

For older players, this time could be used to work on player cooperation in game-like exploration activities – positions, defending/attacking as a group, small-sided team tactics, etc.

 

After 15 minutes of "practice," the "play" begins with a game, and coaches will continue to facilitate a positive learning environment within the game setting.

 

Coaches will be provided several activities curated by our technical staff, weekly tips and tricks for managing a group of players, and coaching support. No additional practice nights need to be scheduled during the week.

  • PreK & Kindergarten

    Entry-level, foundational program

    • Developmentally appropriate technical skills learned and applied in small-sided games
    • Primary focus is on fun, enjoyment and developing a love for the game of soccer
    • Sub-grouped playing leagues by school grade: 

              > PreK (entering Kinder in Fall 2024)

              > Kindergarten


    Fall 2023 Season overview:

    • Registration deadline: August 14, 2023
    • Fall Registration Fee: $125
    • Late fee (after 8/19): $30; no guaranteed friend requests, team coach or team placements
    • Team rosters and season schedule available in PlayMetrics by August 26
    • Practice-Play model for the season structure
    • Games are played on weekends; Sept 9 - Oct 15 at Freeman Park in Shorewood
    • Girls on Saturdays; Boys on Sundays
    • Game times will be between 9am and 4:30pm

  • 1st & 2nd Graders

    Continuation of entry-level, foundational program

    • Preparation to begin Competitive Program or continue with recreational
    • Sub-grouped playing leagues by school grade:

             > 1st Grade

             > 2nd Grade


    Fall 2023 Season overview:

    • Registration deadline: August 14, 2023
    • Fall Registration Fee: $160
    • Late fee (after 8/19): $30; no guaranteed friend requests, team coach or team placement requests
    • Team rosters and season schedule will be available in PlayMetrics by August 26
    • Season runs 6 weeks in September & October
    • Practice-Play model for the season structure
    • Games are played on weekends; Sept 9 - Oct 15 at Freeman Park in Shorewood
    • Girls on Saturdays; Boys on Sundays
    • Game times will be between 9am and 4:30pm

  • 3rd - 8th Graders

    RECREATIONAL


    Active, fun-based environment for players seeking enjoyment in the game of soccer

    • Small-sided game structure
    • Allows for all players to continue developing technical skills in a fun & relaxed in-house game environment
    • Teams are subgrouped by grade in school; some teams are formed with combination grades based on final registraion numbers

    Fall 2023 Season overview:

    • Registration deadline: August 14, 2023
    • Fall Registration Fee: $160
    • Late fee (after 8/19): $30; no guaranteed friend requests, team coach or team placement requests
    • Team rosters and season schedule will be available in PlayMetrics by August 26
    • Season runs 6 weeks in September & October
    • Practice-Play model 
    • Games are played on weekends; Sept 9 - Oct 15 at Freeman Park in Shorewood OR Deephaven Pit
    • Girls on Saturdays; Boys on Sundays
    • Game times will be between 9am and 4:30pm

Volunteer Requirement

A $100 volunteer deposit is charged to the family account at the time of seasonal registration. If you select NO to volunteer at time of registration, that is considered an opt-out of the obligation and you will not be refunded the deposit.


  • Three (maximum) rostered coaches per team will be refunded the volunteer deposit.
  • Other than coaching, most volunteer shifts within the club are about 2 hours -sign-ups via SignUp Genius.
  • After fulfillment of volunteer obligation, the $100 deposit will be refunded back to the credit card charged.
  • Refunds will be processed at the end of the month of service (Coaches refunds are processed at the end of September).

Rec Volunteer Requirement Details

Rec Uniform Information

  • Current uniform must be worn for all recreation program seasons
  • Red jersey as AWAY team, Blue jersey as HOME team
  •  ALL players must have the current uniform kit
  • Recreation uniform cycle is three years; this cycle began Spring/Summer 2023
  • All uniforms are ordered online 
  • Players select their own number
  • Full kit includes Blue jersey, Red jersy, Blue shorts & Blue socks
  • Sample sizes available in the Tonka United office to try-on before ordering

Order Uniform

Volunteer parent coaches are vital to the success of our Recreation Program!

Register to volunteer coach at the same time you register your player for the season. No soccer or prior coaching experience is required.

  • In-person coaches clinic opportunites
  • Coach t-shirt provided (up to three rostered coaches per team).
  • Volunteer hours completed (Volunteer Deposit refunded)

All Coaches must complete:

  •  Background check
  • Concussion training
  • Abuse prevention training

Any questions regarding coaching?

Contact Ben Cherney, Director of Recreation - bcherney@tonkaunited.org

Team Formation

During the registration process, you may designate one friend with whom your child would like to play. During team formation, we will honor only one mutual friend request. This means that the friend must request your child as well in order for that request to be honored. For example, Sarah requests to be placed on a team with Anne, and Anne requests to be placed on a team with Sarah.


Beyond the friend request, we will also try to place players on a team with at least some players from their school or neighborhood. However, registration numbers and the number of players from each school dictate final team formation.


Please note that late registrations, or players invited from the waitlist, are NOT guaranteed mutual friend, team coach, or team requests.

Equipment & Safety

  • No jewelery allowed - all earrings, bracelets, necklaces MUST BE REMOVED prior to players participating in all games; players who do not remove jewelery will not be allowed to play 
  • Uniforms required
  • Shin guards required
  • Soccer cleats recommended, tennis shoes allowed
  • Soccer ball sizes: 

     > Size 3: Tonka Kickers - Kindergarten

     > Size 4: 1st grade - 4th grade

     > Size 5: 5th grade - High School

Additional Resources

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