While nets have not been mandatory for ESSC Outdoor Soccer leagues in the past, all teams will be required to have a net starting this Spring 2016 season. Teams who do not provide a net at their game will automatically receive a zero sportsmanship rating. We are not looking to make any money from net sales, as they are sold at cost, we just want to improve the league experience and overall feel of the game for all teams. Net packages can be purchased online at the time of registration, or purchased at any equipment pick-up date.
Here are some of the benefits of having a team net:
- Having a net improves playing experience! The goalie doesn’t need to chase down the ball after each time a goal is scored (in warm-up or during the game). Having nets on both goal posts makes the field look and feel more official, like in traditional soccer. Lastly, it’s always clear if a team scored (or didn’t score) on a goal with a net and this could help avoid some awkward conversations.
- Relatively low cost to players with high impact on games! The nets are sold at cost – it’s only $80 for the net, pegs, Velcro straps, storage container and simple instructions. This is cheaper than most individuals could find on their own as the ESSC receives a bulk discount. Also, if this price is split among the team, it is as low as $5/player. The nets are high quality, they improve game experience, and will last through many seasons, which means they won’t need to be replaced often (if ever).
- Increase consistency of equipment among teams! With making nets mandatory for all teams, each and every game will look and feel the same and no one team will have a perceived advantage for having a net on their side of the field.
- Less chance of property damage! On many soccer fields in the city, the goal posts are facing a road, house, or property of some kind. Shooting soccer balls at high speeds without a net increases the chance of damaging cars, house, etc. Players are liable for any damages caused to property, so decreasing the chance of damage will benefit all players.
Some people may wonder why we didn’t just absorb the net cost into the registration fees. Here are a couple of the scenarios we had to consider:
- Returning teams may have already purchased a net, through the CSSC or otherwise, and therefore do not need to purchase another one.
- Teams playing in a GC’d Outdoor Soccer league have equipment provided by the GC, and do not need to provide their own net.
Lastly, Individuals Teams will also be required to have a net at each game. Since it would be unfair to require one player to pay for the entire net (unless they want to), net rentals will be available. Every Individuals Team will require one person to put down a deposit and they will get their money back after they return the net at the end of the season.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us!
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