4-H Soccer Program

Benzie Youth Soccer Program

Our 4-H Soccer Program is a popular sporting event that has been a staple of Benzie County 4-H since 1980. In-person 4-H Soccer will return to Benzie and Lake Ann fields in Fall of 2024!!!! All 4-H youth, 4-H age 5 (will be 5 years old on or before January 1, 2025) thru youth grade 8 are eligible to play 4-H soccer this Fall.

  • ALL Adult Soccer Head/Assistant Coaches MUST be MSU Extension/4-H screened Gold Volunteers.
  • The cost to play is $35 per child and scholarships are available.

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Benzie Area 4-H Soccer - Recreational: Fall Season (September - October) at Grace Memorial Park in Benzonia or Almira Township Park in Lake Ann.

Soccer Registration Forms are now a fillable PDF with savable text! Simply open the form using the text link below, fill out the form for EACH YOUTH BEING REGISTERED TO PLAY, save to your computer, and email the form as an attachment to BAYS 4-H at msue.benzie@msu.edu. Payment can be submitted to the office through cash or check payments. August 30th is the absolute LAST DAY we can accept enrollment forms from anyone! Only paper enrollments are available for 2024 due to staffing limitations.

Benzie 4-H Soccer Parents Information Center

Cost to Play: $35 per child and covers the cost of a team 4-H reversible jersey that can be reused year to year, 4-H soccer T-shirt in the color of their choice and maintaining equipment. A LATE FEE of $10 per player is applied if payment is not received by the first Saturday of practice (September 7).

If you are paying by cash: Please place cash in an envelope with player's name(s) written legibly on the envelope.

If you are paying by check: Please make checks out to Benzie 4-H and include the player's name(s) in the memo line.

Other Require Equipment: Shin guards and cleats (no metal).

Recommended Apparel: Michigan Fall weather can be unpredictable year to year. We recommend that youth bring their own water bottle, tall athletic socks, weather appropriate sport clothing, and a soccer ball. The program does provide balls for practices however we do not currently own enough balls to provide one for every player. We encourage players to bring their own ball (with their name printed on it).

Ball Sizes

U5 & U7 - Size 3

U9 - Size 4

U11 & U13 - Size 5

Teams: Teams are determined by age divisions, which are determined by 4-H age, NOT grade in school. 4-H Age is determined by the age of the child on January 1, 2025.

Our fall soccer season starts Saturday, September 7th at the fields at Memorial Park in Benzonia (behind the Watson Chrysler-Jeep car dealer) or at Almira Township Park near Lake Ann. Practices will be on these fields on Saturdays and throughout the week as determined by the coach.

Practice Schedule for Saturday, September 7 & September 14

Coaches do NOT have to take the full 2 hour block, it is simply provided for team meet & greets, player/coach/parent introductions, snack scheduling for the season, introductory drills, and team building. Games begin Saturday, September 21 and are played ONLY on Saturdays thru October 26. If games are cancelled due to inclement weather, make up games are NOT scheduled.

Benzonia: Memorial Park Lake Ann: Almira Township Park
U5 (K): 10:00am - 12:00 Noon U5 (K): 10:00am - 12:00 Noon
U7 (G 1&2): 9:00am - 11:00am U7 (G 1&2): 9:00am - 11:00am
U9 (G 3&4): 11:00am - 1:00pm U9 (G 3&4): 11:00am - 1:00pm
U11/U13 (G 5-8): 10:00am - 12:00 Noon U11/U13 (G 5-8): 10:00am - 12:00 Noon

Benzie 4-H Soccer Volunteer Coaches Corner

Coaches are always needed! You do not need to be experienced to do this. We will show you how, help you get started, and pair you up with another adult to share the tasks if need be. It is an extremely rewarding experience to play this part and to see the progress of youth at all levels!

Find Soccer Rules and Resources and Volunteer Application Information Below!

Lesson Plans & Rule Sheets

Concussion Training Requirements

All Volunteer soccer coaches (head/assistant/fill-in) MUST complete the MSU Extension Volunteer Selection Process at the Gold Level BEFORE beginning their coaching duties. This process can take 6 to 8 weeks! If you intend to be cleared for the 2024 season, you must apply NOW!!!!

To learn more about our Volunteer Selection Process, click here.

To apply for a Volunteer Coaching position, click here.

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Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

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