The National Capital Soccer League (NCSL) is proud to announce the successful launch on April 6, 2024, of a new recreational soccer program -- NCSL Rec. This program marks a significant milestone as we bid farewell to the Suburban Friendship League (SFL), which served as a cornerstone of recreational soccer in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia from the Fall of 1990 until the Fall of 2023.

As we transition from the remarkable history of SFL, we do so with immense gratitude for the passion and dedication of all those who have been part of this journey. When the SFL leadership came to us to announce they were retiring and had no plans to continue offering recreational soccer in the area, it was clear to us that the tradition must continue.  SFL has been more than a league; it has been a community of soccer enthusiasts coming together to create unforgettable memories and experiences "For the Good of the Players."

Introducing NCSL Rec: A New Chapter Begins

NCSL's aim has been to fill the gap led by the closure of SFL with a seamless transition, maintaining a mostly familiar experience for everyone involved during the upcoming Spring '24 season, but finding ways to modernize and improve the system while offering more opportunities to more players. The structure closely resembles that of previous seasons, with minimal changes. NCSL accepted and implemented input from nearly all club representatives to further enhance the overall experience. 

Below are some key points for the new recreational programming:

1. Cost: The cost has been held to a very low level at only $150 per team. NCSL has budgeted to make zero profit on the new league.
2. League Structure: U11-U19 Boys and Girls. Teams are placed into up to 2 divisions based on competition level.
3. Team Registration: Teams will be registered using Demosphere. Due dates were extended at clubs requests to accommodate the need for more flexibility with recreational deadlines.
4. Game Scheduling: Game scheduling is performed initially via Demosphere, utilizing the current considerations such as divisions, distance, field slots, and game-pairing, with extensive individual adjustments based on club feedback.
5. Game Rescheduling: The process for game rescheduling is available on the NCSL website.
6. Score Reporting: Scores are conveniently reported using the Game Reporting Link, the same system utilized by travel teams.
7. Referees: Clubs continue to schedule their referees as part of the standard process.
8. Fields: Field information is submitted via Demosphere for scheduling purposes.
9. Standings: Standings are posted instantaneously as scores are reported through the NCSL website . The current point system may be simplified to use the traditional method (3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss).
10. Rules & Discipline: The rules and discipline procedures have been simplified to enhance predictability and self-policing within the clubs.

Thank you for your strong support of the new NCSL Rec program.  We are proud to offer a professionally run league environment for the recreational player and look forward to continued club feedback to improve the league further as we progress forward.