How to Run a Weekly Soccer Pickup Club

There’s nothing quite like a good game of pickup soccer. No league politics, no pressure—just players turning up to play the game they love. Running a weekly soccer club takes some effort, but when you get it right, you create something people genuinely look forward to each week.

This guide covers the practical side of organizing regular pickup soccer, from securing a pitch to balancing teams on game day.

Finding the Right Pitch

Your venue shapes everything about your session.

Outdoor options:

• Council sports grounds
• School ovals (often available evenings/weekends)
• Public parks with goals
• University grounds

Indoor options:

• Futsal courts
• Indoor sports centres
• Warehouses converted to soccer facilities

What to look for:

• Appropriate size for your player count
• Goals (permanent or portable)
• Good surface condition
• Lighting for evening games
• Parking and accessibility
• Changing rooms/toilets nearby

Pitch Size and Player Count

Match your pitch to your numbers:

For most pickup games, 5-a-side or 7-a-side works best. Games flow faster, everyone touches the ball more, and you need fewer players to run.

Booking Tips

Try to lock in a regular weekly slot:

1. Contact the facility or council directly
2. Explain you want a standing booking (same time each week)
3. Ask about seasonal rates or regular booking discounts
4. Clarify what happens on public holidays
5. Get confirmation in writing

A consistent time slot helps players plan around your session.

Setting Up Your Club in Harley

With your pitch sorted, set up your club in Harley. You’ll need to be on the Captain tier to create clubs and events.

Creating Your Club

1. Open Harley and tap “Create Club”
2. Select soccer/football as your sport
3. Choose a clear name (e.g., “Sunday Arvo Kicks - Princes Park”)
4. Write a description covering:
   • Format (5s, 7s, casual or competitive)
   • Skill level expectations
   • What to bring (boots, water, dark and light shirt)
5. Set your location so local players can find you

Creating Events

For each week’s session, create a new event:

1. Go to your club and tap “Create Event”
2. Set the date, time, and duration (1-2 hours is typical)
3. Set capacity based on your format (see table above)
4. Add the session fee if applicable
5. Include parking info and what to bring

Create next week’s event right after your current session ends—it gives players time to RSVP.

Getting the Numbers Right

Soccer needs balanced numbers more than most sports. Odd numbers mean someone’s sitting out or teams are uneven.

The sweet spot by format:

• 5-a-side: 10-12 players (everyone plays, or short subs)
• 7-a-side: 14-16 players
• Casual kick: 12-20 players (run multiple small games)

Managing RSVPs

Set your event capacity in Harley and watch the numbers:

• Under capacity: Post reminders, encourage players to invite friends
• At capacity: Waitlist handles overflow automatically
• Too many: Consider splitting into two games or adding a second session

Reducing No-Shows

No-shows wreck team balance. Minimize them by:

• Collecting payment before the session (committed players show up)
• Setting a cancellation deadline (24-48 hours before)
• Following up with consistent no-shows privately
• Making it easy to cancel in the app

Collecting Payments

Most pickup soccer sessions charge $5-15 per player depending on venue costs.

Pricing It Right

Add up your costs:

• Pitch hire ÷ expected players
• Ball replacement fund
• Small buffer for extras (pinnies, first aid)

How to Collect

You’ll need to collect payments outside Harley for now:

• Cash: Collect on arrival
• PayID/bank transfer: Request before or after the session

Some hosts collect on the day. Others ask for payment in advance to reduce no-shows—players who’ve paid are more likely to show.

Tracking in Harley

From your event page, go to the members list and mark each player as paid or unpaid. This helps you:

• See at a glance who owes money
• Keep records for each week
• Chase up players who haven’t paid

Game Day Logistics

Before Players Arrive

Get there 15-20 minutes early to:

• Check the pitch condition (any hazards, wet spots)
• Set up goals if they’re portable
• Lay out pinnies and balls
• Have Harley open for check-in

Equipment

You should provide:

• Balls (have at least 2-3 in case one goes flat or over a fence)
• Pinnies/bibs for one team (or ask everyone to bring light AND dark shirts)
• Portable goals if the pitch doesn’t have them
• First aid kit
• Pump and needle for balls

Players bring:

• Boots (or appropriate footwear for surface)
• Shin pads (recommended)
• Water bottle
• Light AND dark coloured shirt (so you can split teams easily)

Check-In

Keep it quick:

1. Mark players as arrived in Harley
2. Collect any outstanding payments
3. Hand out pinnies to one team

Balancing Teams

This is where pickup soccer lives or dies. Unbalanced teams ruin the game for everyone.

Team Selection Methods

Captain’s Pick:

• Two captains alternate picking players
• Works when captains know the group well
• Rotate who picks first each week

Random Draw:

• Players draw coloured bands or numbers
• Removes politics but can create mismatches
• Good for groups where everyone’s similar skill

Host Balances:

• You assign teams based on your knowledge of players
• Takes effort but usually gives the best games
• Works when you know everyone’s ability

Self-Organising:

• Players naturally split based on shirt colours
• Quick but can create unbalanced teams
• Best for very casual sessions

Tips for Balance

• Keep track of who’s strong/weak in your head
• Spread goalkeepers, defenders, and dominant players across teams
• If a game becomes one-sided, suggest a swap at halftime
• New players are wildcards—watch how they go and adjust next time

Subs and Rotation

With more than 10 players for 5-a-side (or equivalent):

• Subs rotate every 5 minutes or after goals
• Keep it fair—don’t let the same people sit out repeatedly
• Let subs warm up on the side rather than standing cold

Managing Mixed Skill Levels

Every pickup group has a skill range. Handle it by:

• Spreading skilled players across both teams
• Putting new or weaker players with supportive teammates
• Setting the tone that it’s social, not the World Cup final
• Reminding ball hogs that everyone’s there to play

If skill gaps become a problem, consider running separate sessions for different levels.

Weather and Cancellations

Outdoor soccer means dealing with weather.

Setting Your Policy

Be clear about when you cancel:

• Lightning: always cancel
• Heavy rain: your call based on pitch drainage
• Light rain: usually play on
• Extreme heat: consider moving to early morning or cancelling

Communication

• Check the forecast 24 hours out
• Make the call 2-3 hours before kickoff
• Notify everyone through Harley immediately
• Be consistent—players will learn your policy

Wet Weather Alternatives

If you want to play through winter:

• Book an indoor futsal court as backup
• Find a pitch with good drainage
• Have an all-weather venue option

Common Challenges

The Player Who Takes It Too Seriously

Every group has one. Handle it by:

• Keeping the tone light yourself
• Having a quiet word if aggression becomes an issue
• Reminding everyone it’s meant to be fun

Injuries

Soccer injuries happen. Be prepared:

• Keep a first aid kit with ice packs, bandages, tape
• Know where the nearest hospital is
• Don’t let players continue on obvious injuries
• Have players acknowledge a waiver through your club description

Not Enough Goalkeepers

Few people want to play keeper in pickup:

• Rotate goalkeepers every 10-15 minutes
• Use “fly keeper” rules (keeper can come out, anyone can go in goal)
• Consider small goals where keepers aren’t needed

Growing Your Club

If your sessions are consistently full:

Add another session:

• Different day of the week
• Early morning for before-work players

Split by skill or format:

• Casual social session
• Competitive session for higher-level players

Get help:

• Recruit a reliable regular as co-host
• Share the setup/pack-up duties

Keep quality high. Better to have a waitlist than overcrowded games where half the players are standing around.

Weekly Checklist

Before the season:

• Secure your pitch booking
• Create your club in Harley
• Buy pinnies, balls, and basic gear
• Write a clear event description

Before each session:

• Create next week’s event
• Check RSVPs and player count
• Watch the weather forecast
• Pack equipment

On game day:

• Arrive early to check the pitch
• Check in players, collect payments
• Balance teams fairly
• Keep the game moving and fun

After:

• Mark attendance and payments in Harley
• Note any issues (injuries, player concerns)
• Create next week’s event

Getting Started

Running a weekly soccer club takes commitment, but it’s worth it. There’s something special about the same group of people showing up week after week, developing chemistry on the pitch and friendships off it.

Start simple. Book a small pitch for a month, gather 10-15 keen players, and see how it goes. You can always grow from there.

With Harley handling RSVPs and tracking, you can focus on what matters: getting good games going, week after week.