7U-8U future stars
Coaching
Training
13U-19U
How we play - how we perform
Continues to emphasize individual player development with an increasing focus on team performance.
About
Apex Future Stars (7U-8U) is focused on enjoyment, participation, basic skill development, and teaching life skills through soccer. Apex Rec teams are based on birth year. There are no tryouts for recreational teams. Players will play at least 50% of each game. Team formation/player placement is different in soccer than other sports. Players are placed by birth year (not grade) to form teams.
Oftentimes, we will need to combine two age groups to make a team. For example, we may combine 7U-8U players to make a team. Teams are not based on skill/talent. We cannot guarantee requests for players to play with certain other players or coaches. When possible, teams will remain the same from fall to spring seasons.
All teams follow the Level 3 guidelines including 50% playing time in matches.
Most teams practice 2 times per week at McAninch Sports Complex or Gregg Youth Sports Campus in Norwalk.
You will need to upload a birth certificate & headshot for your player.
You will be redirected to Apex’s registration system through PlayMetrics. You will need to create an account with your email and a password within Playmetrics and enter your child’s name and birthdate. Then you will see the program options.
Program Fees
Fall 2025/Spring 2026 Registration Fees:
- 7U/8U (2019-2018) $115
- 25% OFF SIBLINIGS! (only applies to siblings registered for this program)
Financial aid/scholarships are available - please apply here prior to registering.
Training Information
Summer Sessions open at Sportsplex Norwalk on Tuesdays.
Open to 2 year-olds through 5 year-olds
Tuesday Nights - 6 weeks starting June 24.
- 2—3 year-olds 5:30-6pm
- 4-5 year-olds 6-6:30pm
Training Location & Times
7U-8U Group training for Spring 2026 season will be led by Apex staff and volunteer coaches will be on Wednesdays 6:00-6:50pm at Fareway Fields at Gregg Young Sports Campus.
Each team’s second night of training will be scheduled by their coach.
All Apex Rec Training sessions will take place at either the Gregg Young Sports Campus, Sportsplex Norwalk, or McAninch Sports Complex in Norwalk, IA.
Volunteers Needed!
Coaches & field painters and the maintenance team are vital to Apex Rec. Please consider donating your time to help.
Volunteers will receive a $25 refund!
Coaching
Training
13U-19U
How we play - how we perform
Continues to emphasize individual player development with an increasing focus on team performance.
Coaching
Coaches are volunteers that will be required to take an introductory coaching course (online) and SafeSport training.
Apex will offer additional learning opportunities through Iowa Soccer. Apex provides coaches with resources and ideas/concepts for training.
Meet Jonathan Rivera the Director of Apex Rec. Jonathan will educate and support the Apex Rec coaches.
Uniforms
Apex is excited to announce the new Apex Rec uniforms will be a Puma kit. This uniform is not included in the initial registration fee. Order your Apex Rec uniform today.
Required items:
- Gray Puma jersey
- Red jersey
- Black Puma shorts
- Black Puma socks
Equipment Needed
- Soccer ball - please bring to every training session
- Size 3 - 2U-8U
- Size 4 - 9U-12U
- Size 5 - 13U and older
- Shinguards (Mandatory for all practices and games)
- Soccer socks - long enough to cover the shinguards
- Athletic shorts/pants
- Water bottle
- Cleats (recommended, but athletic shoes are acceptable)
Age Groups & Birth Years:
Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 seasons:
- 7U - 2019 birth year
- 8U - 2018 birth year
Whenever possible we work to keep 7U players separate from 8U players for teams and games.
Boys and girls are separated at these age groups.
7U-8U teams will play on Saturdays with some local partner clubs in our 7U-8U league.
Details Include:
Fall Season begins in mid-late August and the season runs through the last weekend of October or first weekend of November.
Spring Season begins late March / early April and runs through May or first weekend of June.
6-8 League games
FAQs
Are there tryouts for Apex Rec?
There are no tryouts for Apex Rec. Apex Rec is a recreational program.
Apex Rec (formerly known as Norwalk Soccer Club) is focused on enjoyment, participation, basic skill development and teaching life skills through soccer.
Players will play at least 50% of each game.
Apex Soccer Academy offers competitive Select programs for 11U and older that hold tryouts to assist with the selection process.
When will we know the practice schedule?
Practice schedules will be finalized with the volunteer coaches in late July or Early August.
When do game schedules come out?
7U-8U Schedules are managed by Apex and will come out early-mid August.
9U and older teams play in the Iowa Soccer Recreational League. Those schedules are managed by Iowa Soccer and should be released in mid-late August.
Is travel required for games?
7U-8U games will be hosted in Norwalk at McAninch Sports Complex.
9U-10U games are part of the Iowa Soccer league. Most games are in the Des Moines Metro.
11U and older games are part of the Iowa Soccer league. Most games are in the Des Moines Metro, however, you may have to travel 1 hour to 90 minutes for a few games. This is dependent on the number of teams and the divisions/levels within the Recreational League.
When do we play our games?
Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 seasons:
7U/8U (Birth years 2019 and 2018) play on Saturdays in Norwalk
9U/10U (Birth years 2017 and 2016) Girls generally play on Saturdays in central Iowa.
9U/10U (Birth years 2017 and 2016) Co-ed/Boys generally play on Sunday afternoons in central Iowa.
11U/12U (Birth years 2015 and 2014) play on Saturdays or Sunday afternoons in central Iowa
13U/14U/15U (Birth years 2013 and 2012 - including 8th graders with a 2011 birth year) play on Saturdays or Sundays in central Iowa.
What teams do we play against?
7U-8U teams will play other Apex teams or specific club partners in our 7U-8U League in Norwalk.
9U and older play other recreational teams/clubs that are registered with Iowa Soccer. Iowa Soccer is part of the US Youth Soccer Association.
Are financial aid packages or scholarships available?
There are payment plans / financial packages available when registering for the program.
If you are in need of financial aid or scholarship assistance, please fill out the Google form with all necessary information. Financial Aid and Scholarships are awarded on case-by-case basis and we will get back to you promptly on all submissions.
