Travel soccer is a competitive program for players with above average skills and a strong drive to develop their soccer abilities and love of the game. These boys and girls are coached by professional, nationally-licensed coaches and they compete against other clubs in the Washington metropolitan area. DC Stoddert travel teams compete in one of three leagues: Virginia Club Champions League (VCCL), Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS), National Capital Area Soccer League (NCSL).

Tryout Registration Link:

Everyone must register as a new player.

https://www.youthleaguesusa.com/dcssl/13-14/Travel.html 

GIRLS:

GU9 (Players born after August 1, 2004 through July 31, 2005)

Wednesday, May 29: 4:30-6pm @ GWU Mt Vernon Campus Turf Field

Friday, May 31: 4 – 5:30 @ Shepherd Field

GU10 (Players born after August 1, 2003 through July 31, 2004)

Wednesday, May 29 - 6-7:30pm @ GWU Mt Vernon Campus Turf Field

Friday, May 31: 5:30 – 7pm @ Shepherd Field

For More information on GU9 & GU10 please contact the Age group Director Khaled Hamami

GU11 (Players born after August 1, 2002 through July 31, 2003)

Tuesday, May 28: 4:30 – 6pm @ GWU Mt Vernon Campus Turf Field

Thursday, May 30: 5-6:30pm @ Palisades

GU12 (Players born after August 1, 2001 through July 31, 2002)

Tuesday, May 28: 6 – 7:30pm @ GWU Mt Vernon Campus Turf Field

Thursday, May 30: 6:30-8pm @ Palisades

For More information on GU11 & GU12 please contact the Age group Director Karen Kelser

GU13 (Players born after August 1, 2000 through July 31, 2001)

Tuesday May 28, 5:30 – 7pm @ Maret

Thursday May 30, 5 – 7pm @ Ft. Stevens

GU14 (Players born after August 1, 1999 through July 31, 2000)

Tuesday, May 28, 7 – 8:30pm @ Maret

Thursday, May 30, 7 – 8:30pm @ Ft. Stevens

For More information on GU13 & GU14 please contact the Age group Director Mohan Telfer

 GU15 Blue (Players born after August 1, 1998 through July 31, 1999)

Tuesday, June 4, 6:45 – 8:15 pm @ Maret

Thursday, June 6,  6:45 – 8:15 pm @ Ft. Stevens

No individual registration is required. Contact coach Mohan Telfer or team manager Eric Fredell if you plan to attend and for other team information.

BOYS:

U9 (Players born after August 1, 2004 through July 31, 2005)

Monday May 20, 4:30 – 6pm @ Palisades

Wednesday May 22, 4:30 – 6pm @ GWU Mt Vernon Campus Turf Field

U10 (Players born after August 1, 2003 through July 31, 2004)

Monday May 20, 6:00 – 7:30pm @ Palisades

Wednesday May 22, 6:00 – 7:30pm @ GWU Mt Vernon Campus Turf Field

For More information on U9 & U10 please contact the Age group Director Ben Mortimer

U11 (Players born after August 1, 2002 through July 31, 2003)

Monday May 20: 4:30 – 6:30pm @ Shepherd

Wednesday May 22: 4:30 – 6:30pm @ Shepherd

U12 (Players born after August 1, 2001 through July 31, 2002)

Monday May 20: 6:30 – 8:30pm @ Shepherd

Wednesday May 22: 6:30 – 8:30pm @ Shepherd

For More information on U11 & U12 please contact the Age group Director Sona Walla

U13 (Players born after August 1, 2000 through July 31, 2001)

Wednesday May 22, 6 – 7:30pm @ Jelleff

Wednesday May 29, 6 – 7:30pm @ Jelleff

U14 (Players born after August 1, 1999 through July 31, 2000)

Wednesday May 22, 7:30 – 9 pm @ Jelleff

Wednesday May 29, 7:30 – 9pm @ Jelleff

For More information on U3 & U14 please contact the Age group Director Mohamed Bennani

 CO-ED U8 Developmental Academy (Players born after August 1, 2005 through July 31, 2006)

Tuesday, June 4: 4:30-6pm @ GWU Mt Vernon Campus Turf Field

For More information on U9 & U10 please contact the Age group Director Ben Mortimer

Tryouts to be scheduled soon for 1st week of June.

The DC Stoddert U8 Developmental Academy is intended for those children seriously focused on soccer and for families willing to make a stronger commitment to prioritizing development above the social aspects of youth soccer.

Philosophy

We will create an environment that is fun and instills a love of the game of soccer. We will encourage the players to take risks and be creative with the ball that places individual player rather than teams at the center of all training. The Developmental Academy exposes players to a game that emphasizes skill development over team development. We prefer a brand of soccer based on possession which will require players to be complete soccer players that understand the game and all positions while possessing technical skill. Learning will over take precedence over game management on our weekly Play Day’s. The qualified professional coaching staff will use the technique of Guided Discovery versus command style instruction allowing the kids to make the decision and improve their problem solving ability. Success is determined by learning and fun rather than scores and standings. Our target audience is families that look at the big picture and will not leave the club as their kids improve.

Schedule

Fall Season          (September-November)

·         Two training sessions per week

·         Play Day on Sunday

Winter Season  (January-March)

·         Two training sessions per week

·         Play Day over the weekend

·         All training sessions and Play Days are outside

Spring Season    (April-May)

·         Two training sessions per week

·         Play Day on Sunday

Selection Process

To join the U8 Developmental Academy you will need to attend the tryouts the 1^st week of June (TBA). The selection will not be based on talent level rather than commitment. Thus players who attend both tryout dates will be considered before those who only attend one. We can select up to 50 players for the fall season. Players must be born between the following dates to be eligible 8/1/2005-7/31/2006.

FAQs

Do members of the Developmental Academy play in a league?

We do not participate in a league. The focus is not on teams but the individual players. Instead of games in a structured league we have a weekly Play Day where players are separated into groups of three and play 3v3 against other members of the Developmental Academy

What do the Play Days consist of?

The 3v3 Academy games at the weekend will be a chance for the players to show what they know from the week’s sessions by playing without stoppages, referees, scores or coaching, instead, having the opportunity to express themselves in small sided games where they get lots of touches in a pressure-free environment.

What is the expected commitment? Do I have to give up on other sports or teams?

The Developmental Academy is aimed at the long term development of players, which requires a commitment to consistent practice. This does not mean players cannot player other sports. Players in these young ages are encouraged to play other sports for more well-rounded development & play with their recreational teams.

What will the coaches focus on in training?

Individual Player Development. Technical training will be a priority in order to develop the fundamental skills necessary to be successful in later years. Long term skill development is essential. Coaches will introduce tactical decision making, physical development, psychological development while all the time developing a love of the game of soccer.

Do players need to wear anything specific to practice and play days?

 Players are asked to wear comfortable sports clothes, soccer socks pulled over their shin pads, and soccer shoes as well as brining and inflated size 4 ball  and water to each practice and play day.

What does the Developmental Academy expect from parents?

1. Arrange to get your child to training and play days on time

2. Be supportive of your child and fellow Academy members

3. Leave the coaching to the coaches (cheer, but DO NOT COACH)

4. Encourage them to get the ball out on their own free time

Contact Evans Malyi, Travel Director

evans@stoddert.com