NAPERVILLE PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE

The Naperville Premier Soccer League is designed for teams seeking an enhanced focus on player development without the cost and time constraints of a club or travel league.

For the complete NPSL Brochure, click here.

AGE DIVISIONS

NPSL UNIVERSITY

1st Grade Only, Recreational League

University teams have one, 60-minute training session per week with a certified trainer and participate in NYS Saturday games led by their volunteer coaches (no scores or standings are recorded).

Players follow NYS game rules (including wearing the NYS jersey) and may play against NYS teams.

NPSL

2nd - 8th Grades, Competitive League

Teams practice 1 - 2 times per week with or without a trainer for 60 minutes and participate in weekly NPSL Saturday games at various locations throughout Naperville.

Scores and standings are recorded. Awards are given to 1st and 2nd place teams at the end of the season.

Note: Kindergarten players are not eligible for 1st Grade University Division and
1st Grade Players are not eligible for NPSL 2nd Grade Division.

HOW TO REGISTER

STEP 1: REGISTER A TEAM

One representative from each team will register a team via the park district registration site, provide preferred practice day / time / location (not guaranteed) and pay the team registration fee based on the trainer option selected:

1st grade NPSL University teams will automatically be registered for Option 2

STEP 2: ADD PLAYERS

Upon later receipt of a team's unique activity code from the NPSL coordinator, the team representative will contact their players to complete the team waiver (officially adding the players to the team roster). Non-resident players will be charged a $20 fee upon completion of the team waiver. Players will also reimburse the team representative directly for their portion of the team registration fee.

STEP 3: AWAIT PRACTICE CONFIRMATION

Approximately 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the season, the Coerver will contact the team representative to confirm practice day, location and time. The team representative will then communicate this information to their team along with other important season information.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

How long is the season?

1st Grade: There are 8 training sessions provided to teams who register for a "trainer" option. Each team plays 7 games over the course of the season. Games are not played over the Memorial Day or Labor Day weekends.

2nd-8th Grade: There are 9 training sessions provided to teams who register for a "trainer" option. Each team plays 8 games over the course of the season. Games are not played over the Memorial Day or Labor Day weekends.

Where and when are games played?
Games are played at a variety of parks throughout Naperville. Specific field locations may change from season to season and may not be located near the team's practice location. Games are typically played on Saturdays. There is a possibility of an occasional weekday game due to make-up needs.

Due to the complexity of the game scheduling process including field, referee and trainer availability, we are unable to accommodate requests for game schedule modifications or reschedule requests. Teams may not reschedule their games to another day, time or location even if they offer to pay for space and/or provide their own referee. Teams unable to make a scheduled game, may work within their age group to switch timeslots.

Where are NPSL practices held?
Trainer-led practices take place at DuPage River Sports Complex (fall season only), Wolf's Crossing Community Park, Nike Sports Complex or Walnut Ridge Park (spring season only). During registration, preferred practice location, day and time is noted, but cannot be guaranteed. Approximately 2 - 3 weeks prior to the start of the season, the Coerver Trainer Coordinator will reach out to the team representative to confirm trainer contact information as well as practice location, day and time.

Coach-led practices can take place at any Naperville Park location on any day / time. Please note space is not guaranteed at these locations and the coaching team should work with other coaches utilizing the park to ensure adequate practice space for all teams.

Who are the assigned trainers?
NPSL has partnered with Coerver® Coaching to provide training services. Coerver Coaching was founded in 1984, by Alf Galustian and former Chelsea great Charlie Cooke, who were both inspired by the philosophy of legendary Dutch coach, Wiel Coerver. Together, they developed a program of teaching that was unlike anything else available then or now. Coerver is a comprehensive coaching program for young players teaching both individual skills and team play for players of all ages and abilities.

Coerver Coaching in the USA is run by independent Licensee's in each State. Soccer Success Inc., founded in 2005 by David Parker has been the Coerver Coaching Licensee for Illinois since 2006. Trainers are hired through a stringent recruitment process. All candidates are assessed on the field in a practical coaching setting and through a formal interview.

Can NPSL teams use their own trainers?
Yes, 2nd - 8th grades teams can utilize their own trainers (select the "No Trainer" option during registration). However, please note that priority is given to NPSL teams using Coerver trainers for training areas at Nike Sports Complex, Wolf's Crossing Community Park, Walnut Ridge Park and DuPage River Sports Complex. In the fall, only NPSL teams using Coerver trainers will be allowed to use the lighted areas of these parks. NPSL Teams that do not use a Coerver trainer may rent lighted fields for an additional fee. 1st Grade University Teams must use a Coerver Trainer.

I'm interested in NPSL for my player, but do not have a team. Can I still register?
If you are interested in participating in the league but do not have a team, you can add yourself to the "interest list." This list is provided to coaches who are looking for additional players. Please note that placement is not guaranteed. Coaches seeking the interest list should email the program coordinator.

Can my player be registered for NYS and NPSL?
No, due to the scheduling conflicts between the leagues, players are asked to choose one or another to participate in. If you registered your child for NYS, but elect to play on a team within NPSL instead, please remember to call the Park District's Community Relations Department at 630-848-5000 to withdraw your child from NYS.

My player is on a club / travel team. Can they still play on an NPSL team?
Yes, there are no restrictions on club team players or the number of club team players playing on an NPSL team.

My player has never played soccer. Is NPSL a good fit?
NPSL is for experienced players seeking the next steps in personal development. We encourage players new to the game of soccer to register for the NYS recreational league. For more information on NYS, click here. However, registration for an NPSL team is up to each player's parent or guardian.

How many players are allowed on an NPSL team?
Grade 1 plays 5v5 and can have a maximum of 10 on the roster.
Grades 2-3 play 7v7 and can have a maximum of 14 on the roster.
Grades 4-8 play 9v9 and can have a maximum of 16 on the roster.

What equipment is provided or required?
The Naperville Park District does not provide any equipment to NPSL teams. Any equipment needs are determined and sourced by each individual team. For practices, players are required to wear athletic clothing, gym shoes or rubber cleats, and shin guards. An age-appropriate soccer ball and water bottle are also required.

What are the NPSL game-day uniform requirements?
1st grade NPSL University players are required to purchase and wear the NYS reversible game jersey. These jerseys can be purchased at the Fort Hill Activity Center (new at $18) or Play It Again Sports (used at various prices).

2nd - 8th grade NPSL teams choose and source their own uniforms. Teams may opt to wear the NYS reversible jerseys, t-shirts from local hobby stores or full uniforms; all options are acceptable.

2nd - 8th grade NPSL Uniform Requirements:
- Each team member must wear the same jersey, shorts and socks.
- Each player must have a home and away jersey to prevent color conflicts with opposing teams.
- Each jersey must have a unique number on the back; no two players may use the same number.

Stephanie Ainslie

Soccer Program Manager

sainslie@napervilleparks.org

Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration with a Recreation Management and Athletic Coaching sequence from Illinois State University. Her soccer journey began with AYSO at the age of four, continued through various travel organizations in the western suburbs, and culminated in four years of varsity soccer at West Chicago High School. Watching her dad serve as president of a soccer club and accompanying him to scheduling meetings and planning expos ignited her excitement for this profession. Stephanie has worked across all recreation industries, including public, commercial, and non-profit sectors, and has been an active member of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association, where she served for five years as the Athletic Committee Chair. Working as a swim instructor at Centennial Beach during college further fueled her passion for working in the community, which she has been fortunate to continue in her current role since 2018. One of her favorite aspects of the job is the opening day of a soccer season, where she witnesses the culmination of all the hard work it takes to organize a season with over 5,000 participants and sees her own two children participate in the long-standing Naperville Park District tradition.

Kim Levitt

NPSL Girls and Boys 3rd - 8th Grade Coordinator

klevitt@napervilleparks.org

Kim earned a Bachelor of Science from Valparaiso University. She has an extensive background in soccer, both working and volunteering in the sport. Highlights of her involvement include co-founding NationalSoccerRanking.com, serving as an Olympic Development Program parent volunteer, and traveling to Brazil with the 2006 Illinois Women’s Soccer team. Kim has been a resident of the Naperville community for over 35 years and was the founding coordinator of the NPSL program 15 years ago. Two of her children participated in the NYS program before joining Naperville area travel teams and going on to become NCAA Division 1 athletes. Kim takes great joy in seeing her grandchildren and the children of those she once watched play soccer now participating in the programs she helps coordinate. She believes sports play a critical role in child development and fostering lifelong connections that extend beyond the game.

Susan Wasson

NPSL University, Girls and Boys 2nd Grade Coordinator

swasson@napervilleparks.org

Susan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Illinois University with a background in nursing coordination. She has been a dedicated resident of Naperville for the past 20 years, where she lives with her husband and their two children. Both of her children grew up through the NYS and NPSL programs, with her youngest still passionately playing soccer in the Naperville community.