FAQ's

Below you'll find a list of of common questions that our staff gets asked from season to season. To read the response, click on the respective question to expand it. If you have a question that's not on this list, or would like additional information, please feel free to contact us!

When does soccer registration begin?

We typically open registration for our rec league 4-6 weeks before the season starts.  That means registration for the fall season usually begins in mid to late June, and registration for the spring season begins in mid to late January.

 

How much does it cost to register?

Our registration costs range from $100 to $150, depending on age group and uniform need.

IAM 3RD also offers financial assistance up to 50% for players in need, based on availability of scholarship funds and individual circumstances. You can request a scholarship application by emailing soccer@lexchurch.com.

 

Can my child play on the same team as a friend, or practice on a particular day?

We'll do our best! Our registration allows players to request a day they want to practice, a particular coach, or a friend.  We don't guarantee any requests, but we'll accommodate them if we can.

Friend Requests
Requests for players to play on the same team can only be fulfilled if both players request each other and request the same location and practice night. Again, we can't guarantee it, but this gives you the best chance that we can accommodate the request.

Practice Night Requests
We know how busy life can be, so we give you the chance to request a certain practice day.  Since we can't guarantee we'll be able to meet all requests, it's best if you list more than one option and/or let us know one or two days that are NOT good for you.

Coach Requests
Sometimes these are the most difficult requests for us to accommodate, because most of our long-term coaches receive many more requests than there are spaces on the roster. We hope you understand that, again, we can't guarantee to accommodate all requests.

 

I want to withdraw my child from soccer. How do I get a refund?
Please refer to the I AM 3RD soccer refund policy.

 

How often are practices and games?

Practices are held once a week, and games are held on Saturdays. For 4yo through 2nd/3rd grade divisions, the location of games and practices will be determined by the location that you select at registration. For example, if you registered for the Lexington Christian Academy (LCA) location, practices and games will be held on the fields located west of LCA, next to Wellington Elementary School or, in some cases, across the street at Ashland Avenue Baptist Church. If you register for Athens, practices and games will be held at Centenary's land out Richmond Road next to Brenda Cowen Elementary School.

Important: Players in the 4th/5th divisions and up will practice at their requested location, but games may sometimes be played at the other location. The location will be noted in the game schedules when they're released.

When does the soccer season begin?
The practices for the fall season begin in mid August, while practices for the spring season begin in mid March. However, the starting dates for each season may vary due to weather, field availability, and other local factors.
What equipment does my child need to play soccer?

Shin guards are mandatory for all soccer players. Outdoor soccer cleats are also required for all those participating, with the exception of those players in the "Intro to Soccer" classes. Players in the Intro to Soccer classes can wear cleats, but they are only required to wear full-coverage shoes (i.e., no sandals or open-toe shoes).

Uniforms for players in the 4-year-old and older league (jerseys, shorts, socks) are covered by the registration fee in the fall season and are supplied by I AM 3RD. Players will also receive an I AM 3RD league t-shirt. Your child's coach will distribute these items, typically at the last practice before the first game.

I AM 3RD players who participate during the fall season are placed on the same team for the spring season and are expected to use their uniform from the fall season. New players, and players who request a new uniform, will be charged a slightly higher fee to cover those costs for the spring season.

I AM 3RD provides field equipment, such as goals and nets. Coaches may have extra soccer balls on hand during practices, but it is ideal for every child to have his or her own soccer ball for practicing and playing on their own.

** 4yo-6yo/1st grade: Ball size 3

** 2nd-5th grade: Ball size 4

** 6th grade and up: Ball size 5

 

Who will coach my child's team?
Teams are coached by volunteers from your community; many of them are parents with children in I AM 3RD. If interested in coaching or assisting a coach, please  contact us for more information.  We have resources available to help you plan practices, and recommended activities to keep your kids engaged.  Don't let a lack of soccer "knowledge" keep you from helping—we provide you lots of great tools!
What am I expected to do as a parent?
Please refer to the parent contract for details, but to summarize, we ask you to model kindness and good sportsmanship at all times (including with coaches, staff, officials, and other players and parents), to keep our rules (e.g., no pets at the fields, no alcohol/nicotine products, no bad language) and to adhere to all of our league policies and procedures.
How can I volunteer to help with I AM 3RD?
We are grateful to the many parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and neighbors who give of their time to support our players each season. We have varying opportunities available to serve for those interested, ranging from coaching and referee positions to administrative help. To become a volunteer, please identify on your registration in what ways you are able to contribute, or contact us at soccer@lexchurch.com.
Do teams stay the same from season-to-season?

The I AM 3RD soccer year runs much like a school year: from fall through spring. Every player must re-register for each season, but we do keep teams the same from the Fall Season to the next Spring Season (unless you register as a new player or notify us that you prefer to join a different team).

Every fall we reset our soccer rosters. This is because many players will have transitioned to older divisions, some will leave for other activities, and some will move out of the area. Similarly, our coaches may decide to take a break. Although we allow requests to be made during registration, we cannot guarantee that requests will be fulfilled. However, we will do our best whenever possible.