Town

Dedham Youth Soccer Association (DYS) is a non-profit organization incorporated under the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that is committed to providing an inclusive youth soccer experience that ignites a passion for the sport in players, coaches, and referees in a safe and fun environment.

In correlation with Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association (MYSA), DYS' volunteer coaches provide an accessible, fun and positive soccer learning experience for all players K-3rd.

Grade Pre-K

The PreSchool Kickers program is a developmental program for young children ages 4 - 5 years old who are not yet in kindergarten.  Building strength and coordination at a young age gives children a physical and developmental advantage.  Learning to work with teammates helps develop social skills.  Also, teaching the joys of exercise and team sports can help them learn habits that will keep them healthier and happier in the future.

The program will be run by our professional soccer clinicians, Challengers< with volunteer parent coaches for approx. 8 weeks.

The 45 minute sessions are held on Saturday mornings.  A soccer ball (size 3) and t-shirts are included in the program fee (one per year- so please keep your jersey for Spring session) and distributed at the first session.  

Requirements/Information

• Children must be 4 years old by September 1st
• Shin guards and water are required for each session
• Appropriate footwear: sneakers or soccer cleats
• Parents must remain at the field at all times
• Children are required to bring their soccer ball to each session
• Fee is $75 (updated Spring 2019)
• Sessions will start at 9:00, 10:00, or 11:00 with placement in a given time slot determined on a first come first serve basis.

Kindergarten (U5/U6) 

Building off of our Little Kicker's program, our Kindergarten program consists of 1 weekly practice session and 1 weekly game played on Saturday mornings. The goal of U5/U6 soccer is to get our players familiar with the game of soccer while developing basic soccer skills like dribbling, ball control, passing, shooting and movement coordination. 

We will introduce games-with no scores being kept. Games are small-sided (5v5) with an emphasis on getting kids as may touches on the ball as possible. Kindergarten teams are split between boys and girls.

Grade 1 (U7)
Teams are split by Boys & Girls. All teams practice once a week at coach's discretion. This session will be a skills session led by DYS Coaches with the help of Volunteer Coaches, the session will focus on developing basic soccer skills (dribbling, ball control, passing and movements coordination). 

Teams will play one unscored game each Saturday mornings, with continued development of soccer concepts . 

Games remain small-sided (5v5), with slightly larger goals and  the introduction of goalkeepers.

Grade 2 (U8)

Teams are splits by Boys & Girls. All teams will practice twice a week. One practice will be lead by your player's DYS coach/assistant. The second skills session is lead by Challenger Clincian. Skills will become more complex to ready players for the Travel Program.

Teams will play one un-scored game each Saturday morning, with continued development of soccer skills. Games will be 7V7 with larger goals and goalies.

Town teams are evenly balanced at the beginning of each Fall season by DYS Town Directors. Coaches submit basic player evaluations at the end of each Spring season. Creating balanced teams maintains a positive/fair environment for our DYS players to continue learning soccer in a friendly competitive environment.

Dedham Youth soccer provides your player with a new jersey every fall season. This jersey should be worn for the Spring and Fall season.

Players K-3 are to bring a size 3 balls, wear shin guards and cleats to every game and practice.