FAQs
Frequently asked questions
If you have additional questions not addressed below, please contact us at information@nortac.org.
We offer:
NORTAC Programming provides a strong developmental environment for players and their coaches in a fun and stimulating environment at an affordable cost.
Sparta Tacoma is a year-round competitive program designed for the most competitive and motivated players. Training takes place 10-11 months out of the year, with tournaments in the Summer and league play in the Fall and Spring. Sparta offers teams for boys and girls starting at the U7 age group.
Typically we offer summer camps as well as additional training opportunities throughout the year.
Please visit the registration page within the program you are interested in:
All programs require proof of a player's age. A player must provide proof of age upon initial registration with an affiliated organization under the Washington State Youth Soccer Association (WSYSA). Proof of age shall consist of a birth certificate, passport, Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card, Government agency documentation, Board of Health Records, alien registration card issued by the United States Government, a certificate issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. All documentation must be in ENGLISH or translated to ENGLISH. Hospital, baptismal or religious certificates will not be accepted.
Please contact the current Nortac Registrar via email at registrar@nortac.org. All late registrations are accepted on a space-available basis. Please be patient, it may be a few days before anyone can get back to you, especially during the beginning of any season.
Most teams will practice and/or play games at the following fields: Peck Field, Mason Middle School, Truman Middle School, Jane Clark Park, Gonyea Field, Baltimore Park, Jason Lee Middle School, Silas High School and Annie Wright School. View our field location maps.
This is generally determined by the coach and the availability of fields. The assigned coach will decide where and when typically after consultation with Nortac. Practices are typically held at the same home field locations where we play games.
NORTAC Programming
Coaches are usually parents who have a child on the team and have volunteered to coach.
Sparta Tacoma
Every NORTAC coach is required to complete a Washington State Patrol background clearance through Washington State Youth Association. The clearances are done every year and the State has the option to review any coach at any time.
NORTAC Programming
Coaches receive training, lesson plans and ongoing support from our Academy Directors and our Director of Coaching.
Sparta Tacoma
Coaches typically have one or more nationally recognized coaching licenses from United Soccer coaches and/or the United States Soccer Federation, and these licenses are required in order to coach teams at the top levels of competition.
- All coaches must successfully complete the Safe Sport training program before being allowed to coach with Sparta Tacoma
- In addition, all coaches are expected to be lifelong learners who continually develop their craft through formal and informal opportunities
Nortac Soccer Academy
You will receive a registration confirmation upon registration, but in both the Fall and Spring seasons, teams are normally formed quite close to the starting date, so families will usually not receive their team assignments until a week or two before the season begins.
Nortac Recreational Soccer
You will receive a registration confirmation upon registration. In the fall, you should expect to hear from your coach by mid-August. When participating in our in-house Spring season, you will normally receive team assignments a week or two before the season starts
Sparta Tacoma
Joining Sparta requires a tryout. For all age groups except Boys High School-aged players, tryouts are typically held in late April or early May. High School boys tryouts normally take place in February, before the scholastic season begins.
Why do we receive our team assignments so late in the Soccer Academy and during the Spring Recreational Season? Is that normal?
It is normal for us. The way our program is run, extensive prep time is not required in order to have a successful soccer experience. In addition, we prefer to keep our registration platform open as late as possible to encourage the maximum number of participants possible.
U-6 and U-7 age groups will play 3-a-side (with no goalkeeper)
U-8 will play 4-a-side (with no goalkeeper)
U-9 will play 7-a-side*
U-10 will play 7-a-side*
U-11 will play 9-a-side*
U-12 will play 9-a-side*
U-13 and up will play 11-a-side
*In our Spring recreational season, we reserve the right to modify the playing format if necessary in order to create a balanced leave and accommodate a potentially smaller number of participants than we serve in the Fall season
Only the u5/u6 age group plays coed. From the U7 age group on, boys and girls play separately.
NORTAC Programming: players play in single age groups in the fall, though we often combine age groups in the spring due to the smaller number of participants we normally see at this time of year that is non-traditional for youth soccer
Sparta Tacoma: teams always play in single-year age groups.
Trophies or awards, if desired, are the responsibility of each team.
We supply the game jerseys for Nortac Soccer Academy and Recreation players up to U11. Players in the Nortac Soccer Academy also receive a new ball each season. We also pay the required state insurance fee for each player. All other registration money goes to maintaining fields, referees and administration costs.
Nortac Soccer Academy and Nortac Recreational Soccer
Players will need to supply their own soccer cleats, shin guards, soccer shorts and socks. A jersey will be provided.
Sparta Tacoma
All players are required to purchase at least the minimum uniform package (one pair of shorts, home and away jerseys, socks). There are additional items available for purchase if desired.
A Player must be 5 years old to begin. The Age Groups are simplified in that they are defined by birth year. Players may play up but not down. For example, a player born in 2006 may play in the 2005 age group.
Nortac Soccer Academy and Nortac Recreational Program
It may be possible to move the player to a new team if the schedule conflict cannot be resolved.
Sparta Tacoma
We ask that families are flexible as days, times and locations within the north end of Tacoma may change several times as the team moves from one phase of the season to the next.
Yes, we offer scholarships for all our programs. Please read more about our scholarship program here.
A variety of courses are given throughout the year. Player clinics and camps, Coaching clinics, referee clinics and many meetings are held for coaches to learn about the game.
Check with the Director of Coaching for courses you may be interested in.
NORTAC Programming
We try to discourage switching teams once team rosters are set. It is very difficult to switch players due to the restrictions put on roster sizes. The best way to ensure you're on the team you want is to request your coach or a teammate during the registration process. We try to accommodate all requests, but sometimes due to circumstances, requests can't be met.
Sparta Tacoma
The team coach will offer the player a spot on his team after a tryout. Players may accept or reject an offer but cannot choose their own team.
It's easy! Just email us at information@nortac.org and we'll be happy to tell you about any open board positions and current committee needs.
We're also in need of boots-on-the-ground volunteers as well as volunteers who can help with the club's business-related needs.
If you're interested in coaching, contact our Director of Coaching.
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