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 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.  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.  

Spring offerings will typically run from early to mid April up to (but finish before) Memorial Day weekend.  

Fall seasons start with practices at the beginning of August and games the weekend after Labor Day.  The conclusion of the season traditionally ends before Halloween.

Key Dates:

• Mid-January thru Mid-February - Spring Registration

• April - Spring Season 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, with our fields located behind the former Dayton High School.

Map Location of Fields 

Soccer Fest is designed to incorporate loads of fun with loads of learning, all in a condensed time format.  Our hope is to attract those who may have never tried soccer, as well as those who might play another spring sport, but also engage the soccer fan who needs some action in the spring outside of the fall season!  

Grades K-6

For this group, Soccer Fest begins with 3 weeks of Saturdays only, no weekday commitment, packed full of team mini-game competitions.  We'll teach new skills & moves and allow players to try them out against each other.  From Day 1 players are assigned to a team to learn together as they prepare for the second half of the Fest!  

In the final 4 weeks of Soccer Fest, teams add one practice per week & also show up on Saturdays to compete against other teams from their age groups (age groups for Soccer Fest will utilize our Delta, Beta, & Alpha structure).

Upon the completion of registration and evaluation of our total numbers, teams will be assigned for each player.  Length of Soccer Fest sessions for the first 3 weeks varies by age group ranging from 1-2 hours for our youngest to oldest players respectively.

***11 total days of commitment***

Pre-school ages 3&4

Our Little Tikes Soccer Fest sessions are designed to introduce the sport at the grass-roots level to our youth.  With loads and loads of games, there's no way not to have loads and loads of fun!!!  Little Tikes takes place in mid to late mornings throughout the final 4 weeks of Soccer Fest and is 45 minutes in length on Saturdays only.

***4 total days of commitment***

In addition to the soccer play for each group, we provide a reward system, AESC Power Player awards, on a weekly basis.  Earning these rewards throughout Spring Soccer fest will not only recognize the effort being put in, but can be redeemed as chances for giveaway prizes as well!

Wolf Leagues are planned as 6-weeks of games, taking place on Saturday mornings starting the weekend after Labor Day.  In addition, each Fall season ends with an End of Year Tournament where teams compete in multiple games to crown a champion for each division!

In order to set our teams up the way we want, at the conclusion of registration, and prior to the beginning of practices, we hold player evaluations for all age groups.  The purpose is to allow for prospective coaches to participate in a small coaching clinic, as well as to take a look at each player to see where they stand in their soccer journey.  At the conclusion, collectively coaches participate in the division of teams to ensure an even distribution of skill on each, to provide for healthy competition throughout the season.

Practices for the season start the first week of August.

***Cost of registration includes a personalized game player kit (jersey, shorts & socks) with name & number***

GENERAL INFORMATION

In general, all practices, games & events will be held at the former Dayton HS Fields, this includes the End of Year Tournament.  There is one exception where we will be organizing one Saturday of games at West Shamokin HS, on the turf field (date TBD), where all players will experience the stadium environment in their weekly activities!  AESC Day at West Shamokin is designed to be a festival of sorts, with a variety of concessions & raffles benefitting the West Shamokin Goalie Club Boosters, and an amazing experience for every player involved!  It will be a great day all-around!!!

Our Fall Little Tikes program is designed to introduce the sport of soccer at the grass-roots level to our pre-school aged kids.  With loads and loads of games, there's no way not to have loads and loads of fun!!!  

Little Tikes takes place in mid to late mornings during the 6 game weeks of Wolf Leagues and be in the range of 45 minutes in length.  Players who are part of bigger families can not only come and watch their older siblings compete, but also participate in activities to learn the game themselves!

In addition to the 6 sessions of activities, Little Tikes players will be invited back during our End of Year Tournament to participate in the celebrations, games & activities throughout the day!!!

***Cost of registration includes a personalized player jersey with name & number***

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.