Registration Opens annually on February 1st and closes in early March for Competitive Teams and over the first weekend of April for Regular Season players.
1. Do we play in the rain?
In short, yes. For U5, U7 and U9, the board will determine if there are any conditions that are not favourable for the athletes to be out on the field and an email will be sent out to inform parents. For U11 and up, unless the rain or other type of weather create situations where the fields or players are deemed unsafe to play (an email will go out from the board to the coaches in these cases) cancelling of any game or practice is up to the coach. Please keep in mind that we follow ASA guidelines so "If thunder roars, go indoors" is the policy for thunder and/or lightning. Once thunder is present, teams need to wait 30 minutes from the last roar or flash of lightning in order to go back out onto the fields.
2. How long is the season?
Our Outdoor Season practices start mid April and games begin in the beginning of May, depending on the weather and state of the fields. The season ends the last week of June, with the possibility of make-up games, year-end tournament or provincials to follow. These are all part of the expected commitment to the team.
3. What are the registration fees?
Please refer to the "Age Groups & Fees" page of our website, HERE.
4. I missed the registration deadline; can I still register my player on a team?
Please email omscpresident@gmail.com with your request. Any registrations that are accepted and processed after the registration closing date will be subject to a $30 late fee.
5. Can I get a refund?
Refunds are only considered for medical reasons with an accompanying Doctor's note and assessed on an individual basis. Any approved refunds will be charged a $15 processing fee.
6. Do players keep their jerseys?
Players in U5, U7, and U9 will receive a keepsake Timbits jersey. In 2025, U11 jerseys were sponsored by McDonald’s and provided as keepsakes. While we are hopeful that this sponsorship will continue, it cannot be guaranteed. All other jerseys remain club property and must be returned at the end of the season. Players participating in Big Country Soccer Association (BCSA) programs (U11 - pending McDonald’s sponsorship, U13, U15, U17 and U19) are required to submit a $100 jersey bond. The bond must be provided before a jersey is issued and must be in the form of:
a pre-filled credit card authorization which may be found on our website HERE, or
a post-dated cheque
The jersey bond will be destroyed upon return of the jersey in good, clean, and reusable condition at the end of the season. There are no exceptions to this policy.
7. How old does my child need to be in order to play soccer?
Players must be at least 3 years old as of January 1 of the year of participation to be eligible for the U5 program. Players may participate up to the U19 division. To be eligible, a player must be 18 years old or younger on January 1 of the registration year. Players who turn 19 later in that same year remain eligible to participate.
8. How do I volunteer as a coach or other role?
All coaches must register through the RAMP registration system under the Coach/Volunteer Registration option. During registration, you can indicate your interest in coaching for the season. Other volunteer roles (team support, board positions, etc.) do not require RAMP registration. Board member positions become available at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in November. A Criminal Record Check (CRC) is required for all coaches. CRCs are provided free of charge by the RCMP for non-profit organizations; however, you must present a letter from Olds Minor Soccer, which can be accessed HERE. If you are planning to coach, please apply for your CRC as early as possible to ensure it is completed prior to the start of the season. You are not eligible to coach with Olds Minor Soccer until your CRC has been submitted and approved.
9. Can I coach if I have no experience coaching or playing soccer?
At the entry levels, U5, U7 & U9, we encourage and welcome all volunteers. We have changed the format of the younger groups with stations and station coaches which helps relieve the stress of figuring out practice plans. U11 and up requires a bit more experience, but coaching clinics are available online and in the Olds and area. If you have any questions about this, please contact us at omscpresident@gmail.com
10. I want to be a referee, what do I need to do?
Please visit the referee tab on the website for further information.
11. What equipment do soccer players need?
Shin guards, socks over shin guards, black shorts and cleats. Regular running shoes are acceptable for U5 and U7.
12. How do I know who my child's coach is?
You will receive an email with the coach's information.
13. Who do I contact if I am having conflict with my child's coach and/or team?
Please see the conflict resolution guide in the resources.
14. If my child is from another town and wishes to play in Olds, with what association do we register?
If a player resides in another town/area but chooses to play in Olds, they must register with the Olds Minor Soccer Club and pay the respective age-appropriate fees accordingly.
15. Does Olds Minor Soccer have a set of Rules & Regulations?
Yes, please find a copy of the club's official Rules and Regulations, HERE.
16. Can our team participate in tournaments if they wish to do so?
Absolutely. Regular Season teams at all age levels (U5-U19) may choose to participate in any Alberta Soccer Association-sanctioned tournament. All tournament-related costs are the responsibility of the team and are not covered by Olds Minor Soccer Club.
Olds Minor Soccer is proud to support the development of girls’ soccer, in alignment with Alberta Soccer Association (ASA) and Big Country Soccer Association (BCSA). When offering all girls’ teams, which Olds Minor Soccer is doing in the U11 to U15 divisions, under ASA and BCSA governance, these teams are officially categorized as either Girls or Boys teams:
We understand this terminology can be confusing. This wording and team structure are set by Alberta Soccer and Big Country Soccer, and we are following their guidelines. In doing so, we are also working to grow our girls’ programs and offer all-girls team opportunities whenever possible.
That said, for the 2026 Outdoor Season, we are offering girls team options in the following divisions; however, team formation is dependent on sufficient registration numbers:
IMPORTANT:
HOW TO REGISTER YOUR PLAYER:
Due to the size of our club, Girls teams cannot be guaranteed in any division and are dependent on sufficient registration numbers.
1. Why are the U11-U15 teams called “Girls” and “Boys” instead of “Coed”?
This terminology is set by Alberta Soccer Association (ASA) and Big Country Soccer Association (BCSA) and reflects current provincial legislation. As of September 1, 2025, Alberta’s Fairness and Safety in Sport Act (Bill 29) updated how teams are defined to prioritize competitive fairness based on biological sex (at birth). Under these guidelines, Girls teams include girls only, while Boys teams may include both boys and girls. Teams previously referred to as “coed” are now officially categorized as Boys teams.
2. Which divisions are offering girls-only team options for the 2026 Outdoor Season?
For the 2026 Outdoor Season, Olds Minor Soccer is offering girls-only team options in the following divisions, dependent on sufficient registration numbers:
While we remain committed to growing girls’ soccer, families should understand that girls-only teams in U13 and U15 may not be possible this season.
3. Why are the U5, U7, and U9 teams called “Coed”?
U5, U7, and U9 are part of Olds Minor Soccer’s in-house program and do not fall under Big Country Soccer Association (BCSA) league play. At these ages, teams only play against other Olds teams, and a coed format is currently the only option being offered.
4. Why aren’t girls-only teams offered in U5, U7, or U9?
U5, U7, and U9 are part of Olds Minor Soccer’s in-house program, where teams play only against other Olds teams. Even if we were able to form a girls-only team at these ages, there would be no other girls-only teams for them to play against. At these younger age groups, our focus is on fun, skill development, and learning the game. Starting at U11, teams play within the Big Country Soccer Association, which includes 13 neighbouring communities and allows for gender-specific teams to compete against other similar teams. As participation grows, we will continue to explore opportunities to expand our programs.
5. Why aren’t girls-only teams offered in U17 or U19?
Historically, Olds Minor Soccer has only been able to form one team in the U17 and U19 divisions, and in some seasons a combined U17/U19 team. At this time, registration numbers do not support offering alternate team options in these age groups.
6. Why don’t we offer boys-only teams?
Across soccer and youth sports in general, there are currently fewer girls participating than boys. Our focus right now is on supporting and growing girls’ participation and establishing sustainable girls-only teams where numbers allow. As girls’ programs continue to grow, this may naturally create opportunities for boys-only teams in the future. As a smaller club, we must build programs gradually to ensure balanced teams, positive player experiences, and long-term sustainability. Please be patient, as this truly is a work in progress.
7. Does registering for a Girls team guarantee a girls-only team?
No. Girls teams cannot be guaranteed in any division and are dependent on sufficient registration numbers.
8. What if my child is not comfortable playing on a team with boys?
Families should carefully consider this when registering, particularly in U13 and U15 where girls-only teams are unlikely to form. If playing only with girls is important to your player, registering under the Girls option is appropriate, but please understand that placement on a Boys team may still occur. If your player is not comfortable with this possibility, we encourage you to contact us at omscpresident@gmail.com to discuss your concerns; either before registering or shortly afterward, so we can make note of it and support you as best we can.
9. How do I know which option to register under?
10. Who sets these rules?
Olds Minor Soccer follows the policies and regulations set by Alberta Soccer Association (ASA), Big Country Soccer Association (BCSA), and applicable provincial legislation.
For more information on the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act (Bill 29), please refer to the Government of Alberta publication: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/f02p5
ASA website: https://albertasoccer.com/
BCSA website: https://www.bigcountrysa.com/
Legislative Context:
Olds Minor Soccer follows the policies and regulations set by BCSA, ASA, and applicable provincial legislation. Based on recent regulations (Bill 29) in Alberta (effective September 1, 2025), the definitions for girls’ and boys’ teams under the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act have been updated to prioritize biological sex for competitive fairness.
For more information, please refer to the Government of Alberta's publication:
https://open.alberta.ca/publications/f02p5