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What comes to mind when someone mentions “recreational sports” or a “recreational player?” Is it the impromptu game of volleyball at the company picnic, with a sagging net and players slapping awkwardly at the ball with two hands? Is it the slow pitch softball league where six gloves are shared between 9 players, or maybe the weekend golfer looking for a walk in the sun as much as hacking out a low round? Recreation tends to imply an emphasis on fun over skill, participation over competition.

In the Mill Valley Soccer Club, we have two playing options: Recreational and Competitive. Parents often generalize by saying “competitive is too serious,” or “rec soccer isn’t about winning.” We tend to label and generalize, and in so doing, create stereotypes and even prejudices that don’t really describe who our kids are or why they play. At worst, misconceptions lead to a division within our club's membership, rather than a unification of our community through a common view of the game.

In this, my eighth year as a volunteer in MVSC, I have coached over ten recreational teams, and assisted with four competitive teams. I have a child who plays in each, and I ref games for both programs. I have seen hundreds of games and thousands of kids play, and feel confident in saying there is no one thing that defines either group, no one factor that can be found in one league but not the other. There are great athletes who play in our recreational league, and there are competitive players who largely play for social reasons.

There are competitive players who aren’t overly concerned about winning, but care more about personal growth, and there are recreational players who hunger for success, both individually and with their team. Each year I see recreational players tryout and succeed on competitive teams, and I see competitive players who return to the recreational ranks and find enjoyment and development opportunities with their friends. And that’s a key to who we are: MVSC is one club, where players find their place regardless of the classification.

So what is the difference? Rick Fullerton, our Director of Coaching and Development, summarizes the playing opportunities by saying, “Competitive soccer follows more of a ‘developmental’ model, while recreational follows more of a ‘participatory model.’”

In our recreational league, any player can register to play, regardless of his or her ability. We hope that every player plays approximately the same amount, and plays a variety of positions, especially at younger ages. We place an emphasis on parity when creating teams, and minimize the focus on score keeping and winning until the oldest age groups. We utilize volunteer parent coaches, but we still provide a variety of professional coaching opportunities for the child seeking more opportunities for development. And we strive to model a code of conduct that teaches as much about being good people as being good soccer players.

In our competitive program, teams are formed by a tryout process, which takes into account each player’s ability, commitment, skills, and passion for soccer. The fall season starts earlier, and runs longer (August - December) with more than twice as many games as the average rec team. All of our competitive coaches are paid professionals, who are experts at teaching technique and tactics, but the teams couldn't function without the volunteer support of all the parents. Structured, disciplined practices are the norm, and coaches emphasize player and team development. Playing time is based largely on performance, and players are asked to play the position(s) in which they can most help the team. Given the extended commitment, travel requirement, and utilization of paid professional coaches, playing competitive soccer is also significantly more expensive than playing recreational.

Whether playing in our recreational or competitive program, when the kids take the field, we believe that the joy of the game fills every player. We know that the recreational players will compete, and our competitive players will play for fun. And we know that any team experience will broaden a child's view of the world, as well as expand their friendship base beyond school or neighborhood boundaries.

In the end, whether rec or comp, MVSC and all its players are part of one club. A club where all our volunteers, officials and coaches strive to help all our players find the right opportunity for development, enjoyment and a love of the game!

Jon Bontz
President, MVSC

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