7th grade Arlington rec soccer kid- DS has been playing soccer since he was 4, but he plays multiple sports so we never made the jump outside of rec. We have had the same coaches (2 dads) since 3rd grade and they do a good job. Some kids on his team are really, really good, and others are less experienced, but all the kids have fun. Most play other sports so they are all athletic, but don’t want to only play soccer. YMMV.

Have an Arlington Soccer rec player in 8th. Lots of his teammates are multi-sport players so rec lets them (and their parents) balance competing sports. My DS plays 2 sports year-round.

Some on his team have been playing since they were little. A few are less experienced. There’s a range of experiences. But for our team at least, it’s all been welcome. The kids have fun playing a game they enjoy, without much pressure.

Arlington soccer rec coaches are all parent volunteers.