Soccer Plus: Advancing the Game in Our Island Community

Advancing training for players. Essential support for coaches. Stronger soccer for our community.

Soccer Plus Tryouts

Register Now
May 16 | Free | Boys & Girls, U8–U14
Saturday, Times vary by age group; check registration website
Chaplin Community Park

Each group will participate in a 1-hour tryout with a brief parent meeting at the end. Players must register in advance to attend. Teams will be selected following tryouts, and families will be notified via email or phone with next steps for the fall season.

Soccer Plus Summer Camp - $200

July 6-10th, 9am-12pm | Coed, ages U8-U14

Open to all Soccer Plus players, this camp is a great way to stay sharp, get quality touches on the ball, and build chemistry before the fall season kicks off in August. Players will train with our coaching staff, reinforce technical skills, and connect with future teammates in a fun, focused environment. Highly encouraged for all Soccer Plus participants. 

Soccer Plus Player (U9-U14) - $450

Season length: August 8th - November 8th | Preseason Camp: Saturday, August 8th
Price includes training sessions, uniforms, ref fees, games and tournaments.

Soccer Plus Player (U8) - $400

Season length: August 8th - November 8th | Preseason Camp: Saturday, August 8th
Price includes training sessions, uniforms, ref fees, games and tournaments.

Soccer Plus Cost (practice player) - $360

Season length: August 10th - November 8th
Price includes training sessions and practice uniform. Practice players do not play in the games or tournaments.

Fall Soccer Plus Season & Preseason – Parent FAQs

Soccer Plus is an advanced training and competition program designed for players who want more than recreational soccer but aren’t ready (or don’t want) the full club commitment. It serves as the bridge between rec and club soccer. The season ends with a soccer tournament November 7-8.

Do you have to tryout? YES. Register for the May 16th tryout here. 

Is there a lower commitment option if we’re not ready for full competition? Yes! We offer a Practice Player option (Development Track). Best for players who want to build confidence before competing, have other commitments, and/or are still developing but ready for more structure. Practice players do not participate in games or tournaments. Only a limited number of practice players will be available per age group.

How is Soccer Plus different from Rec Soccer?

  • Rec = 1 practice + 1 game/week, focus on fun and fundamentals

  • Soccer Plus = more training, professional coaching, higher-level environment

How is Soccer Plus different from club soccer? No off-island travel for practices, more manageable schedule, and lower cost. A club-like experience without the full club demands.

Who is Soccer Plus for? Players who love soccer and want more touches, are motivated to improve and are ready for a more competitive environment. Tryout are required.

What age groups are offered? U8, U9/U10, U11/U12, U13/U14

How many days per week is Soccer Plus? 2 training sessions per week, including games and local competition opportunities.

Can my child still play Rec Soccer? Yes. Soccer Plus is designed to complement Rec Soccer, not replace it.

Will there be games? Yes, 5+ local games/friendlies and end-of-season tournament.

How much travel is required? Minimal. All of the training is on-island and limited off-island travel for games. 

What is the time commitment? More than rec, but less than club. It’s designed to be manageable for families.

How are teams selected? Based on: Skill level, Coachability, and Effort and attitude.

What are the benefits of Soccer Plus?

  • More touches on the ball

  • Better coaching

  • Increased confidence

  • Preparation for school and higher levels

Can Soccer Plus lead to club or school teams? Yes. It’s designed to prepare players for middle school, high school, and club opportunities.

Who is running Soccer Plus? Led by Lindsay Taylor (Technical Director), USSF A-Youth Licensed Coach, alongside Dana Powers (Director of Coaching), USSF C Licensed Coach, and other experienced and licensed staff.

What makes Soccer Plus unique?

  • Community-based (on-island)

  • Professional coaching

  • Flexible commitment options (including practice player track)

  • Clear development pathway

What happens if my child isn’t selected? They can continue in rec soccer and continue developing for future opportunities. Technical training sessions will be available during the fall for players that are looking for a professional training environment - these will be offered outside of the Soccer Plus team training sessions.

Will Soccer Plus continue to expand? Yes. We will evaluate the needs of the players and the program at the end of every season. The program will eventually grow into placing teams into SC Youth Soccer State league (11v11) and Carolinas Premier League (7v7 and 9v9 formats) or league equivalents.

Please reach out to Lindsay at lindsay.taylor@islandreccenter.org if you have any other questions.

  • Rec Plus Soccer is an advanced training and development initiative from the Island Rec Center and Coach Lindsay Taylor, an A-Youth USSF License coach. Our mission is to provide local players with the opportunity to grow in a more fun and challenging environment while also supporting our volunteer coaches with the tools and education they need to succeed.

    We believe that by investing in our coaches, we strengthen the entire program. When coaches are supported, players benefit, and the whole community grows stronger together. 

  • Recreational soccer is the heartbeat of our community, but every team faces the challenge of different skill levels among players. Rec Plus was created to bridge this gap and prepare players for their next steps in their soccer journeys.

    - For players, it offers advanced training sessions led by professional coaches, designed to push them further and help them reach their potential.

    - For coaches, it provides structured resources and continuing education so they can confidently guide their teams and create positive, impactful soccer experiences.

    When coaches grow, players thrive.

Coaches Corner — A Hub for Volunteer Coaches

At the Island Rec Center, we are committed to pouring into our volunteer coaches. The Coaches Corner is your go-to resource bank for everything you need to run fun, effective, and educational training sessions.

Here, you’ll find:

- Training plans tailored for recreational players

- Session templates you can plug directly into practice

- Fun warm-up games and age-appropriate progressions

- Tips, articles, and videos

- Support to help you grow as a coach and leader

Visit the Coaches Corner Resource Bank

The Skills Challenge

The Island Rec Center operates a fun-based Skills Challenge for our Rec Soccer players that provides participants with an opportunity to test their skills in a fun, competitive environment.

The Island Rec Center Skills Challenge is comprised of five simply structured challenges that measure technical ability in the following areas:

1. Dribbling
2. Turning
3. Receiving
4. Passing
5. Shooting

Click to view a written description and graphic of each challenge. The Island Rec Center strongly encourages all teams, coaches, parents, and players to download the challenges as part of their child’s ongoing individual development. Click to view the score card.