FAQ'S

We offer youth soccer to children from ages 3 through 6th grade.  We serve communities across the West Shamokin HS area such as Dayton, Rural Valley & Elderton, but also from other surrounding communities of Punxsutawney, Marion Center & Armstrong High Schools, such as Marion Center, Plumville, Kittanning & Ford City.  If you meet our age requirements, and you're willing to come to our location, then you're eligible!

Little Tikes

We like to start 'em young...for soccer that is!  Soccer is not only a great team sport, but its also a simple, active sport to introduce to your little ones!  At AESC we feel we have the perfect solution for your youngster with our Little Tikes program!  This accommodates the wildest of whipper-snappers, to the little timid ones who need to break out of their shell!  

Little Tikes: Ages 3-5 (pre-school children)

Wolf Leagues

For our school aged kids, we're all about simplifying the experience, not only for the player, but for the parents as well!  We base our age group offerings on school grade.  When a child reaches their Jr/Sr high school playing careers, this will be the measuring stick for placement, so why not start here.

We offer 3 age groups that we call Wolf Leagues, and mimicking wolves of the wild, our Wolf League players will be divided by pack hierarchy to battle throughout the season, all while supporting each other:

Delta Group: Kindergarten - 1st Grades

Beta Group: 2nd - 3rd Grades

Alpha Group: 4th - 6th Grades

Players will not be permitted to move up, or between age groups, except by special circumstances and at the discretion of the AESC Board of Directors.  The skills we teach are structured with the importance of building the foundation from one level to the next.  Even if a player may have more talent than his/her peers, we feel it is just as important for that individual to grow in the area of confidence in their game, all while continuing to refine their skills in the foundational areas.

It is our commitment to the game of soccer, and to the community, that we will offer Spring and Fall soccer opportunities to our youth.  Below are the typical timeframes (subject to minor fluctuations):

Spring: weekend after Easter through weekend before Memorial Day

Fall: first of August through weekend before Halloween

Key Dates:

• Mid-January thru February - Spring Soccer Fest Registration

• April - Spring Soccer Fest Starts

• Mid-May thru Mid-July - Fall Registration

• End of July - Fall Player Evaluations (Wolf League ONLY)

• Beginning of August - Fall Practices Start (Wolf League ONLY)

• Weekend after Labor Day - First Week of Wolf League Games & Little Tikes

AESC is based in Dayton, PA, with our fields located behind the former Dayton High School.

Map Location of Fields

During a typical Fall Season, one weekend day of games will be played at West Shamokin High School on the stadium surface!

West Shamokin HS 

Soccer requires very little equipment to participate, but the two items needed are important for the sport!  Shin guards are the common piece of protective equipment for all players because after all, it is a kicking sport!  Guards are offered in different shapes and sizes, but in general should protect the shin area immediately above the ankle of the player.

As for soccer cleats, these are also unique to the game.  Not in the fact that other sports do not also utilize them for traction, but the design of soccer cleats is unique to the game that is played.  The document in this link helps to provide and explanation with some visuals in guiding parents with an explanation.

While players are required to supply their own soccer cleats & shin guards, AESC does have a small collection of used cleats & shin guards that have been donated to help the soccer community out!  This equipment will be advertised on our Social Media (Facebook & Instagram) & we also have them available at the field where players can come in-person to try things on and get some equipment for FREE!!!

It's not always that one size fits all, especially when it comes to soccer balls.  Players of varying ages ultimately required different sized equipment to learn and perform effectively, and here are the sizes used for our different groups:

• Little Tikes - Size 3

• Delta - Size 3

• Beta - Size 4

• Alpha - Size 5

Soccer game day uniforms are unique to the sport the same as any other activity.  Players will have a unique jersey (shirt) and matching shorts & socks related to their particular team.  Proper dress for the day is to wear the shin guards inside of the match socks.

Undergarments are allowed on gamedays, but must not have any loose/baggy parts dangling.  This is mostly for player safety, but also to allow for quick and accurate movement, even in the elements of Mother Nature.  While hoodies are not preferred, if worn, all hoods must be tucked inside of the jersey to prevent any accidental injuries.