FC Dallastown

What the club offers

Junior Academy introduces young children to soccer with volunteer-supported teams, one weekly practice, Sunday game windows, and an eight-week spring and fall rhythm. Older pathways split into Club and Elite travel teams for players who want more competition, training discipline, and tournament exposure. Elite sides target advanced players who can meet stronger attendance and commitment expectations; coaches still emphasize development, sportsmanship, and teamwork, but playing time is not promised to be equal at that level because rosters are built for competitive environments.

Junior Academy (U5–U8)

Junior Academy groups players by birth-year bands set each cycle (recent cycles have centered on roughly 2018–2021). U7 and U8 boys and girls split into their own divisions, while U5 and U6 can remain mixed. Practices run one weekday evening, typically 5:30–7:00 p.m., with families indicating availability at registration. Games and play-day events land on Sundays between about 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Each Junior Academy registration includes a team jersey and a new ball for the player. The fall season has used four weekends of in-house games plus two Pennsylvania Classics “Rising Stars” play days (one home, one away) and an end-of-season celebration. The spring season follows a similar eight-week frame with up to six Sunday game weekends, including two Classics play days for U7/U8 where offered. Schedules depend on weather and field availability, and the club may adjust dates inside the season window.

Fall registration has opened in the first week of June with a mid-August close and a September start in recent years; spring registration has opened in November and closed in mid-March for an April start. Junior Academy tuition has been $150 per season when those windows apply. Questions about availability go to the Junior Academy mailbox below.

Club and Elite travel (U9–U17)

Anyone who wants to be considered for a Club or Elite roster must attend player evaluations and tryouts; returning travel players register through the same tryout process the club requires each cycle. Tryouts for upcoming fall and spring sessions typically run in March or April. Evaluations happen at York Township Park and Joseph C. Stump Memorial Park; families use the tryout schedule for age-specific dates and times.

After tryouts, coaching staff reach out with offers, often within about two weeks. Families usually have forty-eight hours to accept through the registration link the coach provides so waitlisted players can move up quickly. Club teams may add tournaments, indoor rentals, and travel costs beyond the base registration fee; tournament fees often fall around $250–$600 per event, with most spanning a Saturday and Sunday and some requiring overnight travel. Coaches generally outline expected extras at the start of a session and collect fees to cover them.

Mission and coaching approach

The mission centers on developing young people through soccer on and off the field, using the sport to reinforce leadership, teamwork, dedication, and courage. Junior Academy relies on volunteer coaches working from prepared practice plans, optional coach education when offered, and support from the Junior Academy director and coordinators. Travel coaches evaluate players for placement, set training and game expectations, and communicate roster commitments directly with families.

Fields and logistics

Junior Academy practices and games concentrate at Stump Memorial Park, 525 Days Mill Road, York, PA 17403. Travel teams also use York Township Park off Oak Street in York, Dallastown Community Park on West Howard Street at North School Place in Dallastown, and several Dallastown Area School District grass sites used for training and matches. Spring rental windows with York Township and the school district begin April 1 and March 15 respectively; fall windows begin August 12 and August 15. The club encourages families to enroll in text-alert services for weather and closure updates.

How to reach the club

General questions and registrar matters flow through info@fcdpa.org. Junior Academy-specific questions go to jracademy@fcdpa.org. Volunteer coaching interest for Junior Academy starts with president@fcdpa.org before finishing safety and training requirements. Mailing correspondence can go to 204 St. Charles Way, Unit 367, York, PA 17402.