To help your child stay safe and comfortable on the field, we ask that families provide a few key items for each player. Here's what’s required — and what’s strongly encouraged — based on age group.
Required for All Players (Ages 2.5–11)
-
Shin Guards: These are required for all age groups and must be worn under the socks during both practices and games.
-
Water Bottle: Please bring one to every practice and game to keep your child hydrated.
-
Proper Footwear: See our cleat guidance by age group below.
Uniforms Provided by GCSA
GCSA supplies each player with a jersey and socks, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors.
Cleat Guidelines by Age Group
We understand that not every family can invest in all soccer gear right away. We will not exclude a child from playing if they do not have cleats — however, we do ask parents to make every effort to provide them for players ages 4 and up, if possible.
| Age Group | Cleat Expectation |
|---|
| 3U / Tiny Tots (Ages 2.5–3) | Cleats are not required. Athletic sneakers are perfectly acceptable. |
| 5U (Ages 4–5) | Cleats are encouraged but not required. Sneakers are still permitted. |
| 7U (Ages 6–7) | Cleats are strongly encouraged. They improve traction and player safety. |
| 9U & 11U (Ages 8–11) | Cleats are required. At these ages, games are faster and more physical, and cleats are essential for safety and performance. |
Why Cleats Matter
-
Provide better grip on grass fields
-
Help prevent slips, trips, and rolled ankles
-
Improve stability and control during quick movements
⚠️ Important: Only soccer cleats are allowed — no toe spikes (as found on football or baseball cleats). Soccer cleats are specifically designed to be safer for your child and others on the field.
Need Help Getting Cleats?
We know that soccer gear can be expensive. GCSA does not have the budget to provide cleats or shin guards for every child, but we’re committed to helping where we can:
-
We have a small supply of donated cleats available on a first-come, first-served basis closer to the season.
-
Check our Facebook group to ask about hand-me-downs from other families — many parents are happy to pass along cleats their kids have outgrown.
-
Keep an eye on our social media — we’ll try to share any sales we see at local sporting goods stores. That said, deals can come and go quickly, so we encourage families to also watch for discounts on their own.
-
If your family is truly in need, please reach out to us. While we can't guarantee gear for everyone, we’ll do our best to find a solution if you let us know in advance.
Our goal is to support every player’s ability to participate and feel confident on the field — cleats or not.
Game Day Clothing & Jewelry Guidelines
Clothing
-
Jersey and socks: Provided by GCSA and must be worn on game days.
-
Shorts: We recommend black shorts, as they’re easy to match and most families already own a pair. We do not provide shorts. If your team decides another color looks best with their jersey, that’s up to the coach and team — but black is the default.
-
Leggings or pants: Also allowed instead of shorts. Black is strongly recommended for consistency and visibility.
-
Cold weather layers: Layers for warmth may be worn under the jersey and shorts, but the jersey must remain visible to ensure clear team identification. We recommend neutral or matching colors to avoid confusion. Not required — just preferred for visibility.
Jewelry
-
No jewelry of any kind is allowed during practices or games — this includes earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches.
-
New piercings must be removed before participating. Taping over earrings is not permitted for safety reasons.