‘Help us parents love soccer, too'

To the editor: After many years of being a “Soccer Mom,” having just enrolled my fourth child into his fourth season in the Warwick Rec Soccer program, I am writing to express my total dissatisfaction with the way registration was handled this year. For the first time ever, I missed sign-ups. The usual notices that come from the schools arrived home too late to make the walk-in registration date. The mail-in registration deadline was Monday, May 15, just two days from the walk-in date. I missed that, too. So, I decided to register on line. After completing the on-line forms, where I was charged the extra $20 late fee, I called the number listed on the Web site to express my concern that my children would be put on a waiting list and possibly not get assigned to a team. I was assured that I needn’t worry since on-line registration doesn’t close until June 15. So, why then, when I registered before June 15, was I charged a late fee? Why did it cost $95 to register my first child instead of the $75 stated on the registration form sent from school? When does registration close, May 15, as the notice said or June 15, as the Web site stated? I was also told that I should visit the Web site regularly to stay informed about registration dates and times. I feel this is unrealistic given the business of life and the many other activities my children are involved in. Truthfully, fall soccer is not on my mind at this time of year. Our many years spent in the Warwick soccer program have been a great experience for our whole family. If the goal is to encourage families and kids to be involved in this worthwhile program, then the league should provide registration information in a timely manner with ample time between walk-in and mail-in deadline dates. Kids’ interest in the sport is great. Help us parents to support our children by making it convenient and financially feasible without unnecessary late fees and deadlines. Our kids love playing soccer. Help us parents love it, too. Joanne Devaney Warwick