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News Detail

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15

Jun, 2024

What is Rec? What is Classic?

We've received a few questions about what is the difference between classic and rec soccer, and what does that mean for your player/child?

Here we will do our best to help explain the difference so parents and players can understand how it will impact your player and their development.

For the best explanation of the differences, check our Player Pathway page for a full explanation.
Player Pathway Page: https://www.lumberriverfc.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1203937

What is Rec?
Rec soccer is, simply put, for fun. The recreation program is our base program which is simply designed to expose children to the game, and help grow their love of the game. We provide safe environments for the children to play, and learn the rules, and grow their social skills as well by playing with teammates.

The rec soccer program is also community based. This is a major difference from the Classic/Travel program which is county based.

The recreation program only plays within Robeson County and centrally located venues, such as Dr. Raymond B. Pennington Athletic Complex, and the Pembroke Recreation Complex. The NCYSA Classic/Travel program will also play at that same environment, but will have a season of games where travel is included. Half of their games will be home, and the other half away (much like middle school, and high school programs)

In essence, the players who want to continue their development, have more serious training, USSF Licensed coaches, and a more competitive training and playing environment should make the graduation from recreation to the NCYSA Classic Travel program.

The cost for recreation is minimal compared to travel, and is a good reflection of the level of training and development that one should expect. Again, recreation is simply an organized environment, where players can develop their social and emotional skills, as well as learn the game and love the game through being in a safe learning environment.

What is Classic?
The NCYSA Classic Soccer program is what many would consider a "travel" program. That can be misleading considering that half of the matches are played at home, and the other half away.

This program is county based, where the county only has one team per age group that represents the best players in the county. Players in recreation simply sign up and play, where the NCYSA Classic Travel program includes a tryouts and "selection" process where coaches and staff select those players with the most potential for growth and advancement.

Coaches for the NCYSA Classic Travel program are paid coaches compared to volunteer coaches for the recreation program. Classic teams can also train 1-3x a week, compared to only once with the recreation program. The NCYSA Classic Travel coaches are also USSF licensed coaches or certified through United Soccer Coaches.

The cost for this program is a little more expensive, but payment plans are available for families to minimize the effects of the cost, making it affordable for every child and every family in our county. The price structure for each team and age division can be found here:https://www.lumberriverfc.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1704826.

There is also some travel included in this program, as we play regional teams and other clubs that are NCYSA affiliated in the southeast NC region. Over 50 clubs are in NC and constitute the NCYSA leagues. Competition will include home/away matches against opponents such as North Carolina FC Youth, Wilmington Hammerheads, Triangle United, Fayetteville Force, Liberty Soccer Academy, AC Sandhills, Onslow County Soccer Association, and many more. Again, half of the matches will be home and half away.

The home location for all home matches will be Dr. Raymond B. Pennington Athletic Complex in Lumberton, NC. This is the same site as the recreation matches.

Finally, NCYSA Classic Travel teams can be promoted to the 2nd Division, 1st Division, Premier Division and the Piedmont Conference. This is an important step in the players development and opportunity to be placed in competitive environments. Players that play in these upper leagues and state cup tournaments/showcases are afforded the opportunity to be exposed to college recruits and exposure to college programs for future play. This opportunity is not afforded through participation in the recreation level of play.

For further differences and variations between the two levels of play, please see our Player Pathway as mentioned before which explains player development from the "fun" level to the "elite" level. Serious players are encouraged to make the leap from recreation to classic level of play.

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Lumber River Football Club

2180 McMillan Ave
Lumberton, North Carolina 28358
Phone : 910-616-3872
Email : [email protected]