What ages and program levels does West Des Moines Soccer Club offer?WDMSC serves roughly ages three through nineteen. Discovery covers 4U–8U, recreational soccer runs 9U–19U with fall and spring options for younger bands, 9U–10U Academy bridges toward Select, and 11U–19U Select delivers year-round competitive soccer through Sporting Iowa. Players may switch between recreational and competitive tracks over time.
About
West Des Moines Soccer Club (WDMSC) is a nonprofit youth soccer organization that has served the Des Moines metro since 1986. The club offers an integrated pathway for players from about age three through nineteen, blending introductory Discovery soccer, recreational leagues, a 9U–10U Academy bridge, and a year-round 11U–19U Select track for families who want a higher commitment and professional coaching.
What the club offers
Discovery (4U–8U) introduces the game in small-sided formats with volunteer-led teams and professional staff guidance, emphasizing fun and basic skills. The 9U–19U recreational program keeps playing time meaningful—at least half of each match for the age bands that use certified referees—and uses volunteer coaches supported by the club’s professional staff. At 9U–10U, families may choose recreational soccer or the Academy operated by Sporting Iowa, a partnership between WDMSC and Johnston/Urbandale Soccer Club; Academy stresses technical foundations, small rosters, mixed training groups, and coach education before players move toward Select. From 11U onward, recreational soccer remains an option while Select, also run through Sporting Iowa, targets players with strong technical bases who want intensive training, league play in Iowa’s Club Development League, and regional platforms such as National Premier League–Central States and ECNL Regional League or ECNL where offered. Players may move between recreational and competitive pathways over time. Fall and spring seasons cover 4U–15U programming; high school–aged recreational soccer is offered in the fall, and 16U–19U recreational spring teams are not part of the spring lineup.
Tryouts, placement, and fees
Select team placement uses a tryout and bid process each June. Academy uses identification sessions for new players interested in the invite-only registration flow, while returning Academy families receive direct registration invitations when the club opens that window. Program registration runs through PlayMetrics; recreational Discovery pricing is tiered by age (for example $75 for 4U, $100 for 5U–6U, and $125 for 7U–8U per season), 9U–10U recreational soccer is $140 per season, 11U–12U recreational is $150, and 13U–19U small-sided recreational is $160, with a $25 late fee when signing up on or after the deadline the club sets for that season. Academy is $365 per season with the same style of late fee after the club’s stated deadline. Every program registration includes a 10% non-refundable administration fee calculated on the program fee. Select tuition varies by team and age; families should contact Sporting Iowa for current select costs and travel expectations.
Philosophy and player experience
The mission is to ignite a lifelong love of soccer. WDMSC takes a holistic development approach that prioritizes the person first, then the player, carried through Discovery curriculum, recreational culture, and the Sporting Iowa–led Academy and Select environments.
Facilities and communication
Home training and games for recreational and Academy programming center on Hidden Valley Soccer Complex and Raccoon River Soccer Complex in West Des Moines, professionally maintained venues with online field maps and a Google Group families can join for weather-related closure alerts. Game schedules and team calendars live in PlayMetrics after teams form. Club-wide email flows through PlayMetrics using the address on the family profile; adding Club.Admin@wdmsc.org and noreply@wdmsc.org to a safe-senders list helps messages reach the inbox.
How families register and get help
Create or sign in to a PlayMetrics account through the registration links on each program overview to enroll. Special placement requests and play-up questions go through the club’s placement contact form and should be submitted alongside registration in the correct birth-year age group. General club administration questions can go to Club.Admin@wdmsc.org. Select and Academy-specific questions can also go through Sporting Iowa’s contacts, including the Academy director at mcquillan@sportingiowasoccer.org.
Explore more teams
Compare West Des Moines Soccer Club with other youth soccer options in your area before making a decision. These directory links make it easier to review local clubs, broader Iowa programs, and nearby team options in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Where does WDMSC train and play?Recreational and Academy training and home games primarily use Hidden Valley Soccer Complex and Raccoon River Soccer Complex in West Des Moines. Select teams train and host games across the Des Moines metro, with future home-base plans including a new sports complex in Grimes, and away games can reach state, regional, and national venues.
When are tryouts or placement for Select and Academy?Select placement runs through tryouts and bids each June. New Academy players attend identification sessions—typically in January—and complete recreational registration on the Academy pathway before receiving an invite; returning Academy players receive direct registration invitations when the club opens that cycle.
What do registration and program fees cost?Discovery fees are $75 for 4U, $100 for 5U–6U, and $125 for 7U–8U per season. Recreational fees are $140 for 9U–10U, $150 for 11U–12U, and $160 for 13U–19U small-sided per season, each with a $25 late fee after the club’s posted deadline. Academy is $365 per season with the same late-fee rule. Every registration adds a 10% non-refundable administration fee on the program price. Select team costs vary; contact Sporting Iowa for current tuition.
Is high school recreational soccer offered every season?High school–aged recreational soccer is available in the fall. The club does not run 16U–19U recreational teams in the spring, while younger recreational groups still have spring programming.
What is WDMSC’s mission and development philosophy?The mission is to ignite a lifelong love of soccer. The club emphasizes holistic development that focuses on the person first, then the player, across Discovery, recreational, Academy, and Select programming.
How do families register or contact the club?All program registration happens in PlayMetrics using the register links on each WDMSC program overview. Email Club.Admin@wdmsc.org for general club questions, submit placement or play-up requests through the club’s placement contact form, and email mcquillan@sportingiowasoccer.org for Academy questions. Joining the field-closure notification group and allowing Club.Admin@wdmsc.org and noreply@wdmsc.org through spam filters keeps schedules and announcements visible.
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