The Mariemont Recreational Soccer organization is a member in good standing of the Cincinnati Hills SAY Soccer Area of the Soccer Association For Youth (SAY Soccer). The MRA Soccer program is run by a Board of Directors that meets the first Monday of each month at 8:00pm at the Parish Center in Mariemont. We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions about the soccer program - please feel free to use the Contact Us form if you would like to send us an email or call any one of the MRA Soccer Board of Directors.

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Instructional Soccer Update

Friday night soccer is around the corner. Our 1st night is Friday, September 5th. It is not too late to sign up for this instructional league. www.mariemontsoccer.org. The cost is $55.

WHO: All Kindergartners and 4 year olds interested in learning about soccer. We are also always looking for parents to volunteer to help coach a team.

WHAT: This is an introduction to the game of soccer. Each child will be placed on a 5-6 person, coed team. Everyone will warm up together as a group, then break up into their small teams. Each team will then practice different drills, and play a short scrimmage at the end. The emphasis is on FUN.

WHEN: 6:30-7:15 pm. Friday nights. We will meet on September 5,12,19,26 and Oct 3,17, & 24th. There will be a pizza party on the 24th.

WHERE: Bell Tower Park Soccer Fields.

Mariemont Reacreation Association will provide jerseys for all players, drinks at the end of practice and a pizza party on the 24th. Players need to wear shin guards, cleats or tennis shoes, and bring a water bottle and #3 soccer ball.

Contact Jill Thompson at 271-4176 with any questions.

Latest Soccer News...

Team Schedules Released
Game Schedules for Boys and Girls Passers have now been posted on the Schedules page. Wings and Strikers schedules should be posted in the next day or so. The Cincinnati Hills SAY Soccer season will officially begin on Saturday, September 6th.

CHSS Parent/Spectator Agreement
Parents Now Required To Sign Parent/Spectator Agreement

This document is available on the Forms page of the website

Cincinnati Hills SAY Soccer is now requiring one parent of each player enrolled in the soccer program to sign a Parent/Spectator Guidelines and Agreement form. This is part of a league-wide effort to curb inappropriate sideline behavior while reinforcing the overall philosophy of the soccer organization.

According to Cincinnati Hills SAY Soccer President James Ferguson "We have seen a steady decline in behavior on the sidelines over the past few years where parents/spectators are blatantly harassing officials and even some players." He added, "many spectators do not understand the Laws of the game and view winning at all costs as their main focus vs. the overall enjoyment of the game. We are a recreational soccer league whose mission is to provide a great learning experience for every participant. Bad sideline behavior ruins it for everyone and will not be tolerated."

Ferguson also indicated that this new policy is part of an overall effort to promote good sportsmanship across the entire organization. He added, "Coaches and referees are required to be certified prior to participating in the program and bound by certain expectations and our code of conduct. There is no reason why parents and spectators should not be bound by similar expectations." he said.

Coaches are being asked to review the form with their parents at the beginning of the season and have one parent from each parent sign the form. The content of the agreement is listed below:

Parent/Spectator Responsibilities and Agreement
Fall Season 2008

Responsibilities of the Parent/Spectator:

• Understand the role of recreational soccer. It is all about skills development (mental and physical), healthy competition and a lot of fun. If a player has a great time, learns a lot and wants to come back, we have all been successful.

• Make the effort to get to know the rules of the game – especially the Laws associated with off-sides, handling and fouls/misconduct. Understanding the Laws of the game avoids confusion and conflict.

• Set an example by demonstrating the highest standards of sportsmanship at all times. Refrain from foul language and verbal abuse of players, coaches, referees, opponents or spectators.

• Actively participate in the games. Watch, cheer and support the efforts of all players.

• Maintain a professional and respectful relationship with your child’s coaches. Never confront a head coach or assistant coach during or immediately after a game. Wait for a 24 hour “cooling off” period and then contact the coach to discuss your concerns. Avoid “reply all” email chains when you have concerns. Deal with the coach directly.

• Avoid criticizing coaches and officials. Remember that everyone is doing their best to provide your child with a positive soccer experience.

• Do not coach or instruct players during practices or games. This is the coach’s responsibility.

• Be on time for both practices and games. Unless otherwise instructed, players should be at practice at least 5 minutes prior to the start time and 20 minutes prior to game time.

• Come to practices prepared with the correct soccer equipment - shin guards, soccer cleats and a water bottle.

• Casts of any type are not permitted on the field. Your child will not be permitted to participate in practices or games while in a cast – no exceptions.

• Bandage-covered pierced ears are not permitted on the field. Your child will not be permitted to play – no exceptions.

• Get involved with your local soccer organization. Contact us and let us know how you would like to help.

• Have fun!


CHSS Referee Classes Announced
Cincinnati Hill SAY Soccer will hold SAY New Referee classes on the following dates:

Step 4: Attend a Referee Certification Class:

Dates, locations and times are as follows:

- Monday Aug. 25th at 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Passers (Fairfax Rec Ctr)
- Wednesday Aug. 27th at 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Wings+ (Fairfax Rec Ctr)
- Tuesday Sept 2nd at 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Passers (Indian Hill Rangers)
- Wednesday Sept. 3rd at 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Wings+ (Indian Hill Rangers)


If you are interested in attending one of the classes above please contact James Ferguson at jferguson@mktg.com.

MRA Instructional Soccer
MRA Soccer will once again offer the very popular Friday Night Instructional Soccer Program again this Fall. To register just click on the Register menu item. The program is open to 4 and 5 year old Boys and Girls who live in the Mariemont School district. Instructional soccer is held on Friday nights after school starts for 6 or 7 weeks at the Bell Tower from 6:30-7:30pm. More detailed information will be posted as we get closer to the start of school.

Dogwood Park Bathroom/Shelter Construction Underway
Construction has begun on the Bathrooms and the Shelter at Dogwood Park. Hopefully the bathrooms, which will be located at the base of the Carillion will be open shortly after Labor Day (in time for the soccer season!)

The Mariemont Recreation Association would like to thank Committee Chair, Melissa Schmit, Building Commissioner, Dennis Malone, the Emery Memorial, the Pre-School Parents and Mayor Dan Policastro for making this happen!