Signature Program and Teams

The signature teams are for players, ages 8 through 13, interested in an advanced level of recreational play that provides a more competitive soccer experience and player development opportunity. The objective of the signature teams is to provide an intermediary playing level that better prepares players, parents, and coaches for the transition from recreational play to competitive play, while retaining many of the benefits of a recreational schedule at a lower cost. The promotion of player development is of paramount importance. Our signature teams are designed to promote skilled soccer, good sportsmanship, fair play, and a safe environment. Players are selected through evaluation sessions held every year. The official season begins in July, and games start in September.

Coaching - Coaches for Signature are volunteer, non-paid parents of a child on the Prep (formerly Signature) team.  Coaches from a Recreational Rangers team generally inquire about moving their Rec team to Signature.  When multiple coaches inquire about this opportunity within the same age group, an interview process is conducted to determine the best candidate for the one Prep team in each age group. The interview process usually will include a Rangers board member, the Rangers DOC and Signature Director.   Only one signature team per age group is allowed as not to dilute the Rec player pool.  If there is only one candidate for a signature team, the  Director will interview that candidate.

Player Selection - Players are selected through an open evaluation process conducted by the Director and coaches of each age group.  Evaluations are advertised through social media and to the Rangers Rec and Club programs.  Players in the signature program are encouraged to play other sports in Fullerton outside of soccer during the season and the Spring season.  Similar to Rangers Recreation, Prep players play a minimum of 50% of game time.  For the 2023-24 season, 126 Signature players were registered with 98 residing in Fullerton for 78% residency. 

Season - Historically, the Signature season consisted of a Fall season from July/Aug to December.  Some Signature teams conducted a Spring season but not all.  Moving forward with our Prep program, teams will be offered a Fall and Spring season consisting of 10 months in order to support the development of the players in this program and requests from Prep coaches.  Due to CalSouth’s Signature League disbanding, the Prep teams will play in SoCal Soccer League in their 4th flight.  When there is no 4th flight in some age brackets, they will play in the 3rd flight.  Within the realm of soccer in Southern California, flight 3 and 4 are considered Recreation or Signature level.  It should be noted that many of the local soccer clubs in North OC have disbanded their Signature programs.  Rangers and Jusa are the only remaining programs offering this type of program.

Costs - Last season, the Fall Signature program cost $450.00 per player.  Costs for the signature program are able to be kept lower than club due to the shorter length of the season and no paid professional coach.  Due to the the coaching staff’s desire to have a longer season, the 2024-25 season will include a 10 month program and also include the cost of State Cup for the signature teams.  Therefore, their will be a  cost increase for the 2024-25 season to cover the costs.  Signature teams, players and coaches will continue to receive support as well as equipment needs to support their program fully. 

Items Signature team receives from Rangers 

• Rangers PopUp Tent 
• Team Bench 
• Game balls, training cones, scrimmage vests 
• Small Sided Practice Goal 

Proposed Season for 2024-25 Signature Teams

• June 1st- Practices start
• Sept 7th- SoCal League starts
• Dec 9 - Jan 1- Winter Break
• Jan 27th- State Cup starts
• Feb 12th- Evaluations
• Feb - March- Spring Season
• April - May- Siganture breaks so players can play other sports