Frequently Asked Questions

It is a community sports club.
It is a Member of Southern Districts Soccer and Football Association.
It is a sporting sub-club of Mt Pritchard & District Community Club (Mounties).
Mounties Junior Soccer Club was founded in 1968 and so has been serving the Community through soccer for over 50 years.

What do you offer?

We organise soccer teams to play in our District.
We cater for players from children to adult. The youngest players are 5 and the oldest over 50.

Who runs Mounties Junior Soccer?

Mounties Junior Soccer Club is run by volunteers. These are mostly people whose children play or have played for the Club.
Mounties Junior Soccer Club is a sporting Sub-Club of Mounties Club.
Mounties Club does not run Junior Soccer Club but does have oversight, provides sponsorship and audits the accounts.

How can I help out?

All parents are expected to contribute to the Club by their efforts in various ways.
This can be by Coaching a team, Assistant Coach, Manager, Assistant Manager, Canteen and BBQ help. (All Coaches attend coaching clinics paid by the Club).
When a team is playing the first game of the day at the home ground, that team sets up the field.
When a team is playing the last game of the day at the home ground, that team takes down the nets, benches, corner flags and so on.
All of our coaches and managers are volunteers - parents just like you!
Helpers are also required in the Canteen and BBQ.
We are always interested to speak to people who would like to help - many hands make light work!
Speak to a Committee Member - they walk around wearing labelled shirts.

What Age Groups does the Club offer?

From Under 5 to All Age.
Mounties Junior Soccer Club usually runs Mixed boys and girls teams from U5 to U9.
It provides separate girls and boys teams from U10 to U21, All Age Men and All Age Women's Teams.

If the Club offers adult teams, why is it called Junior Soccer Club?

This is to differentiate it from Mounties FC Wanderers, which is comprised of representative teams, SAP, Youth League and NPL.
Mounties FC Wanderers has paid coaches and higher fees. It's teams play far and wide, representing our District versus teams from other Districts as far away as Bathurst, Wollongong, Newcastle and even Wagga.
Mounties Junior Soccer Club has teams that play against other teams from our own District, which is Southern Districts Soccer and Football Association. Our fees are lower and our coaches are volunteers, although we encourage and pay for all our coaches to attend coaching courses.

How do I join ? / How do I sign my son or daughter?

Players need to be placed into a team by attending the trials for their relevant age group.
Once players are in a team then they can register using Football Federation Australia's online registration portal.
Prior to online football registration, please obtain a NSW Government Active Kids Voucher for school-age children from Service NSW. This can be done in person at an RMS/Service-NSW branch or online at Service-NSW Active Kids Voucher
Once players have been placed in a team, and once you have the Active Kids Voucher, then register at the Football Federation Australia website, Mt Pritchard Junior Soccer Playfootball Registration Start Page
We have nominated Registration Days at the Mounties Club to help people register, usually in February. There can be queues for this so it is preferable to Register online if you can.
Payment for Registration is at the Mounties Club on the nominated days advised on our Website.
Players, coaches and managers must be a member of Mounties.
Coaches and Managers require a Working With Children Check. For volunteers this is free. Working With Children Online Application
Before signing up to play soccer you should obtain the Active Kids Voucher.
To play for Mounties, a player must be a member of the Mounties Club. New players will require a Birth Certificate or Passport to become a Member.

Great, my son/daughter is in a team, now what?

If you will be using a $100 Active Kids Voucher to help pay for Registration, then you must obtain that from Service NSW, in person at a branch or online at Service-NSW Active Kids Voucher
Once the player is in a team, and you have the Voucher, they must be registered on the Playfootball Website, Mt Pritchard Junior Soccer Playfootball Registration Start Page
As a parent, find out how you can help. This is a Community Club and relies on parents.
A parent can be a Manager, Assistant Manager, Coach, Assistant Coach. All our coaches are encouraged to do a coaching course, paid for by the Club.
The player should come to all training sessions.
Players and Parents should be well-behaved at all times - they are not only representing their family but also their Team and their Community.
As a parent, you will be expected to help out from time-to-time. This may include being Coach or Manager of a team.
Parents should obtain the contact numbers for their Coach and Manager. The Team Manager is the main point of contact between the Committee and the Parents.
Keep up to date with News and Announcements at our Facebook Page and Mounties Web Page
Turn up to training on time. Turn up to games early.
Cheer for your team.
Show good sportsmanship.
Be patient with the referees - they will make mistakes but usually fewer mistakes than coaches and players.
Have fun! Soccer is good exercise and can help develop concepts of co-operation and camaraderie.

Which age group does my son / daughter play?

Players are in the age group of their birthday in the current year. For example, if turning 9 years old anytime during the year, then would play U9.
In our District, Girls' teams generally jump by two years, so the teams are L8, L10, L12, L14, L16, L18, L21 and Ladies All Age (LAA).
If a girl is turning 10 in a given year, then a girl would play L10, but if turning 11 or 12 then would play in L12 (Under 12s). If playing in a mixed team, the girl would play in her age group.

When are tryouts / trials held?

Mounties Soccer Club usually holds trials in January and February each year.
The days and times are advertised on our Facebook page and website.

How is the competition organised?

In Australian football, soccer teams up to U11 are non-competition, meaning there is no points table and no finals.
Teams from U12 and up have a points table, Minor Premiers, finals and a Grand-Final winner.
Competition teams are graded into Division 1, Division 2, and so on.
U5, U6 and U7 play on a Small-Sided field, 4 versus 4.
U8 and U9 play on a Mini field, 7 versus 7.
U10 and U11 play on a Modified field, 9 versus 9.
U12 and above play on a full-sized field, 11 versus 11.
As a community club, it is important that players have roughly even game time.
Grand-Final Winners and Minor Premiers represent our District versus the winners of other Districts in two competitions, being the Football NSW State Cup and the NSW Champion of Champions.
Fixtures are usually communicated by a Team's Manager to parents and players by SMS, WhatsApp or Signal.
Fixtures and Results are shown on the Competition Manager Website, iCompman

How are trials run?

Trials are run for each age group.
Competition teams (teams from U12 and older) are graded into Division 1, Division 2 and so on.
Trials are run for competition teams to determine players in Division 1, Division 2, and so on.
If a player is not selected in the Division 1 team, they will be placed in Division 2 or lower.
Non-competition teams are not graded into Division 1 etc but a "soft" grading is usually applied, such as "low" and "high" to try and provide more even games.
Non-competition teams are selected on a first-come-first-served basis. Players are added until all teams are full.

How are players selected?

For competition teams, Mounties Junior Soccer has a Technical Committee comprised of experienced coaches. These are usually coaches who have been with the Club for a number of years, who have coached Division 1 teams and been to Finals and Grand Finals.
Trials for competition teams are conducted over a period of about 2 weeks for each age group.
During trials, we try to give every player a chance to show their ability.
Players are selected based on what they have demonstrated during trials - this includes technical ability, determination, attitude. Players are ranked. If there are equally ranked players, then those who have been to every trial session are given preference. Long-term Mounties players are also given preference, but only where their ranking is equal to that of a new player. New players with a higher ranking will take precedence.
For non-competition teams, players are generally selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

What happens when a player is not selected for the Division 1 team?

Players at trials are given a ranking and the highest ranked players are selected for the Division 1 team. The next ranked players are selected for Division 2 and so on.
If the standard of players and depth of talent is very high, we may end up nominating two Division 1 teams. SDSFA is not obliged to accept our nominations, however, so we cannot guarantee where our teams end up.

Do I have to wear soccer boots and shinpads for soccer trials?

Soccer boots and shinpads must be worn for training and games.
Soccer boots and shinpads should also be worn for soccer trials.
If a player does not have soccer boots for trials, then he/she should borrow a pair.
If runners (joggers) are worn, there is a greater risk of injury from the foot being stepped on.
Players not wearing shinpads will not be permitted to tryout.

It's March, trials are over, can my son/daughter still be placed in a team?

Teams have a limit as to how many players can be registered for that team. For U8 who play 7v7, this is 10 players. For U12, who play 11v11, this is 14 players. Older age groups can also carry more players.
Some teams may not have filled the full squad allowance.
Contact Mounties Soccer via Facebook or email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , and ask. We will check if there are any places still available. We can also put a player's name on a waiting list in case someone else drops out.
The reality is that players occasionally miss out. In those cases, we can direct you to other community soccer Clubs in our area but they too may be full if you leave it too late.

What are the fees?

Fees for Season 2022 are $300 for ages 5-9, $350 for 10-18, $450 for adults. With the upcoming Women's World Cup, to encourage more interest in girls' soccer, girls and ladies fees will be $50 less.
Mounties Junior Soccer is a recognised Active Kids provider.
School-age children can apply the $100 Active Kids Voucher to reduce the Registration Fee. You must obtain the Active Kids Voucher before registering on Playfootball. This can be done in person at an RMS/Service-NSW branch or online at Service-NSW Active Kids Voucher
Registration fee covers playing kit, two training kits, referee fees and a soccer ball. There is nothing further to pay during the season.
Fees cannot be paid by installments.
Sibling discounts are available in cases of three siblings playing at the Club in the same year. Speak to a Committee Member.

Is there more to pay than the Registration Fees? Do the Registration Fees include shirts/pants?

Registration fee covers playing kit, two training kits, referee fees and a soccer ball. There is nothing further to pay during the season.

When does the season start and finish?

In 2022, the season starts for competition teams on the weekend of April 2-3 and for non-competition teams on April 9.
The regular season finishes July 24.
Competition teams that qualify for finals finish a few weeks later.
Note that we usually organise trial matches for most of our teams in March.

What time are games?

Game times vary week-to-week.
The following teams play on Saturdays: U5 to U16, Men Over 35 and Over 45, Girls L10, L12, L14 and L16.
The following teams play on Sundays: Men U17, U18, All Age Men, Ladies L18, L21, Ladies All Age.
See also a Summary of SDSFA Competition Rules

What time is training?

The younger age groups train 6pm to 7:30pm.
The older age groups train 7:30pm to 9:00pm.
Competition teams train twice per week.
Some non-competition teams also train twice per week. This is negotiated between the coach and parents.
During trials, each team has an allocated training day(s). Once trials are finalised, then teams can request their own preferred training day/time.

Where is the Home Ground?

Our Home Ground is Joe Broad Park, Florence Street, Mount Pritchard.
Joe Broad Memorial Park is actually two parks connected by a bridge over a creek.
U10 and U11 teams play at Joe Broad Park, Roberts Avenue, on the Mod Fields.
All other teams play at Joe Broad Park, 35 Florence Street, on the full-size fields, Mini fields and Small-Sided fields.
Google Maps Directions

How long are the games?

Game duration, field size, ball size all vary by age group, according to Southern District Competition Rules and ByLaws. See the graphic below for a summary.
Football rules permit unlimited number of interchange, at the referee's discretion.
Ages 5, 6 and 7 have pop-up goals and no goalkeepers. Ages 8 and up have goalkeepers but goal size varies up to U11. For U12, L12-1 and U13 and up, goals are full size.
The Offside Rule applies from U12 and up.

U12 Boys and L12-1, Corner Kicks are taken 6-7m outside the Penalty Area (i.e not right in the corner).
If there is a jersey colour clash, the home team shall change, unless the away team agrees to change.
Teams from U17 and up can have 18 players registered but only 16 can take the field during a game (maximum 5 interchange players)

Rain and Washouts

Soccer is a winter sport and so occasionally it rains!
We hire our park from Fairfield Council and so are subject to their orders. Councils close parks for safety reasons or if the field is too muddy and would be damaged by being played on.
You should ALWAYS assume that training is going ahead and that a game is going ahead, UNLESS there is a notice on the Website and Facebook saying that it is cancelled.
Occasionally you will turn up to a game only to find it cancelled at the last moment. This can happen, but not very often.
You should always turn up to a game/training unless there is a public notice on our Website and Facebook page that it is cancelled.

What if I have other questions?

Please come down to the park and speak to a Committee Member.
Send a Facebook message at the Facebook Page
Send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.