to the Southern Illinois Soccer Club, Inc.. The first Sting team was formed during the summer of 1993. It recognized that the need for a competitive girl's team existed in the Carbondale area. That fall one team was rostered and began playing games in the Southern Illinois Soccer League, (SISL). Another team was added in the spring and a Board was established. Until the fall of 1995 Sting remained a private soccer club. That November the club was incorporated as a General Not For Profit Corporation. The Southern Illinois Soccer Club continues to grow with over 120 players, a host of adult volunteers and a dedicated coaching and training staff.It is the Board's sincere hope that the Southern Illinois Soccer Club will continue to provide our young women, girls and boys with the opportunity to play competitive soccer, for personal growth, improved athletic skills and FUN!
A player's eligibility is determined by the players age on August 1st of that year. For example, for the 2006-2007 season:
| U-8's | are born on or after 8/1/96 |
| U-9's | are born on or after 8/1/95 |
| U-10's | are born on or after 8/1/94 |
| U-11's | are born on or after 8/1/93 |
| U-12's | are born on or after 8/1/92 |
| U-13's | are born on or after 8/1/91 |
| U-14's | are born on or after 8/1/90 |
| U-15's | are born on or after 8/1/89 |
| U-16's | are born on or after 8/1/88 |
| U-17's | are born on or after 8/1/87 |
| U-18's | are born on or after 8/1/86 |
| U-19's | are born on or after 8/1/85 |
A club season officially runs from August 1st through July 31st. During the month of August practices begin and team camp is held. The fall SISL season begins the weekend after Labor Day and continues through mid-November. During this time 10 league games are played with 5 being home games and 5 being played in the Belleville/Collinsville area. Typically away double headers are played which reduces the number of road trips to 3 for league games. Teams usually play one or two tournaments in the fall. These are most often in the surrounding states and do require at least one night in a motel.
The spring season begins with practice in early February and league games beginning the end of February and ending in early May. Teams also participate in a couple of tournaments in the spring.
While indoor soccer is not a part of the outdoor program, many teams do form and play in early January. All fees for indoor play are that of the player.
During the month of June open camp is held as well as the club sponsored Firecracker 3v3 Shootout. July brings tryouts for the next year.
Team members and their families are responsible for getting to the scheduled games and practices.
Players and parents also participate in fundraisers such as pizza sales and the 3v3 tournament. Parents also spend volunteer time helping with various aspects of the club such as uniforms, fundraising, tournament, Stingwear, and others.
Expenses of the teams include league registration fees, referees, tournament fees, uniforms and equipment. The expenses are funded primarily by sponsor donations, player fees and fundraisers. The player fees are set annually by the board to cover estimated expenses and are reviewed each fall to make adjustments before the spring season.
Fees for Fall '07 season: $250 per player
A limited number of scholarships are available for those needing financial assistance. Please contact Treasurer Ken Matthias. All information is confidential.
In addition to season fees, parents can expect to incur expenses for travel to away games and tournament weekend lodging and meals.
Uniforms are the property of the SI Soccer Club, Inc. Uniforms and bags are issued to each player before the beginning of the fall season. At the end of the spring season bags and uniforms are returned.
Practices vary from age group to age group. Most teams practice 2 to 3 times per week prior to the beginning of the season and then twice a week. Practices are usually 1 ½ hours in length.
Practices may become more frequent when preparing for tournament play.
Coaches and trainers are selected by the Board of Directors. Coaches are selected by the Director of Training. For a current list and biography of our coaches, please click Coaches
The Developmental Program is designed for younger players to gain skills and concepts to prepare them for future league play. The developmental team holds practices and friendly games during the fall and spring seasons.
Tryouts for the upcoming season are held in July of each year. Coaches select the players for the various teams. In the past, teams have been fielded for U-10, U-12, U-14, U-15 or U-16 and U-18/19. It is the hope of the SI Soccer organization to be able to form teams in every age group from U-10 - U-18/19 and also a U-9 developmental team.
Teams forming are determined by the number of players trying out in each age group. The more players who try out, the more teams that form.