The PPA
Development Soccer Program
What is PPA's Development Program?
With nearly 300 teams participating, PPA's Development Program is the leading youth sports league in the DMV. Open to players of all levels, the leagues mixes the convenience of local practices and games, with the professionalism of club sports. The only league where parents can form their own teams and choose to have a parent or pro coach. The Development League aims to provide an authentic, developmental, and fun sports experience for all players.
Seasonal Overview:
The Fall 2024 season is going to be one for the ages! We'll have leagues from teams from K - 8th grade. Each team can expect to have an hour long practice during the week, and an hour long game on weekends. Teams can opt out of the practice if they want, and only compete in games. Parents who form teams can choose to have a pro or parent coach. All leagues grades 2 and up will have an end of season tournament included.
Timeline:
June 6: Early Bird Registration Opens
June 18 : General Registration Opens
August 23: Deadline for Managers to Fill Rosters
September 4: Practice Schedule Set
September 3 - 6: Free Agent Placement Period
September 9: Game Schedule Set
September 16 - November 10: Season Start - End
Seasonal Overview
2024 Fall Season:
Registration: June 6 - Aug 23
Season: Sep 16 - Nov 10
2025 Winter Season:
Registration: Mid October
Season: January - March
2025 Spring Season:
Registration: Mid January
Season: April - June
FALL 2024 SOCCER LEAGUE
General Information:
With over 250 teams in our leagues from all over NW DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Takoma Park, Silver Spring, Kensington, Rockville, and Potomac, the Development Program stands as the leading youth sports leagues in the DC & Montgomery County region blending the convenience of a recreational program with the "magic" of club sports. It's the only league where players from grades K-8 can team up with school or neighborhood friends without a tryout, and where parents have the unique choice of professional or volunteer coaching. The program is a 1 season commitment - 8 weeks long - where teams have 1 hour practices during the week, and 1 hour games on weekends. Most teams are school based teams where parents help organize a group of classmates to form a team. We group these teams into leagues based on grade, gender and location so neighboring teams play against each other and legends are made.
Timeline:
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June 6: Early Bird Registration Opens
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June 18: General Registration Opens
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August 23: Deadline for Managers to Fill Rosters
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September 4: Practice Schedule Set
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September 3 - 6: Free Agent Placement Period
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April 9: Game Schedule Set
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September 16 - November 10 Season Start - End
League Breakdown:
⚽️ KINDERGARTEN SOCCER LEAGUE
Curriculum: At the Kindergarten level, our focus is on fun and helping your players fall in love with the sport. We will introduce them to the basics of the game, including dribbling, passing, and shooting. We'll also work on developing their gross motor skills and ability to follow instructions. Games are played 4 v 4 without a goalie.
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Games on Sundays in NW DC/ Bethesda
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Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
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Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
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Roster Guidelines: 7 - 8 players per team
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Price: $350/player for Professionally Coach Team, $150/player for Parent Coached Team
⚽️ 1st GRADE SOCCER LEAGUE
Curriculum: At the 1st Grade level, we begin to teach the basic rules and strategies of Soccer. Your child will learn about teamwork and start developing their communication skills on the field. Games are played 4 v 4 without goalie.
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Games on Sundays in NW DC/ Bethesda
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Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
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Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
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Roster Guidelines: 7 - 8 players per team
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Price: $350/player for Professionally Coach Team, $150/player for Parent Coached Team
⚽️ 2nd GRADE SOCCER LEAGUE
Curriculum: At the 2nd Grade level, we'll start emphasizing concepts around game play, competing with a team, and building camaraderie. During the season, your child will learn about different positions and start to understand the dynamics of a soccer match. Teams play 5 v 5 with a goalie. At the end of the season, they’ll get their first chance to compete for a championship in the prestigious Development League End of Season tournament.
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Games on Sundays in NW DC/ Bethesda
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Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
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Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
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Roster Guidelines: 7 - 12 players per team
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Price: $450/player for Professionally Coach Team, $175/player for Parent Coached Team
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End of Season tournament Included
⚽️ 3rd GRADE SOCCER LEAGUE
Curriculum: At the 3rd Grade level, we continue emphasizing the concepts introduced in the 2nd grade league around playing for a team; being a squad! Teams play 5 v 5 with a goalie and chance to compete for a championship in the prestigious Development League End of Season tournament.
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Games on Sundays in NW DC/ Bethesda
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Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
-
Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
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Roster Guidelines: 7 - 12 players per team
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Price: $450/player for Professionally Coach Team, $175/player for Parent Coached Team
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End of Season tournament Included
⚽️ 4th GRADE SOCCER LEAGUE
Curriculum: At the 4th Grade level, game play will become more official with the introduction of referees. Games are played 7 v 7 with a goalie and all teams get a chance to compete in the end of season tournament.
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Games on Saturdays in NW DC/ Bethesda
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Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
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Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
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Roster Guidelines: 9 - 14 players per team
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Price: $450/player for Professionally Coach Team, $175/player for Parent Coached Team
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End of Season tournament Included
⚽️ 5th GRADE SOCCER LEAGUE
Curriculum - Like in the 4th grade League, in 5th grade games are played 7 v 7 with a goalie and have a referee. All teams get a chance to compete in the end of season tournament.
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Games on Saturdays in NW DC/ Bethesda
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Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
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Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
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Roster Guidelines: 9 - 12 players per team
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Price: $450/player for Professionally Coach Team, $175/player for Parent Coached Team
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End of Season tournament Included
⚽️ 6-8th GRADE SOCCER LEAGUE
Curriculum - In the final age bracket of the Development Leagues, we aim to make the games competitive and exciting for players. All games are played 9 v 9 with a goalie and have referees.
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Games on Saturdays in NW DC/ Bethesda
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Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
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Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
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Roster Guidelines: 11 - 16 players per team
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Price: $395/player for Professionally Coach Team, $175/player for Parent Coached Team
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End of Season tournament Included
Registration Information
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Priority Registration Opens June 6: guaranteed placement for returning players
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General Registration opens June 18: first come first serve until leagues fill
Form a Team
How does this registration work?
It takes one parent to start a team. In the registration, we'll ask you for a team name and then we'll ask if you want a PPA coach assigned or if you have a parent on the team who wants to coach. From there, we'll send you a code and a link you can send around to your child's classmates or friends so they can join your team.
Save $100!
We give $100 back to parents who help organize the team. Click here to learn more.
$100 Rebates for Parent Organizers
Interested in starting your child's team this Fall? We make forming a team easy and give a $100 rebate to parents who step up. Learn More.
PPAforAll Scholarship Program
PPA aims to provide programming for all players, regardless of their financial situation. We offer full and partial scholarships for families with financial needs to ensure everyone can play. Learn More.
Questions about the Fall Leagues?
Text us at: 240-628-8075
Program Philosophy - The Magic Of Sports
It's a Saturday morning and you're an excited parent going to your kid's game. You arrive. Your kid sees teammates already there lacing their shoes, eyes shining, hearts pounding. The game starts. Tommy makes a nice pass and there's a collective cheer. Who's Tommy? Who cares. Lilly takes a shot and misses, but you see her grit through clenched teeth. She wants another shot.
It's not just about the score, it's about the thrill of the game, the rush of a shared goal, the lessons learned in every missed shot. We call this "the magic of sport, " a philosophy we aspire to achieve in our Development Leagues as we shape the future of soccer leagues in the DMV.
We’re not your typical recreational league where players get a high five for their attendance. We're here to spark a love for sport, an understanding of teamwork, and a lesson in resilience. PPA Soccer is about creating passionate athletes, shaping character, and leaving an indelible imprint on the next generation's lives.
Why are the PPA Development Leagues
Best Place to Play Sports with Friends
in DC/MD
A highlight clip from a Boys Futsal Tournament
A highlight clip from Girls end of Fall Tournament
Coaching
At PPA, our commitment to coaching excellence sets us apart. Our soccer coaching staff come with exceptional playing backgrounds and are trained to fulfill our mission of developing players between the lines, and outside them.
School Teams
Our Development League boasts participation from over 100 schools, making it the premier place for students to join forces with their peers and engage in friendly competition against neighboring schools. We've streamlined the process, ensuring that parents can effortlessly organize teams from their schools.
League Play
At our Development League, we aim to strike the right balance of fun and player development. We make gamedays as exciting as possible, featuring special events like Spirit Week. During practice sessions, our coaches adhere to age-specific curricula designed to facilitate learning and personal growth.
End of Season Tournament
PPA Development Leagues stand out as one of the select recreational leagues that incorporate a championship tournament within the season itself. Unlike most rec soccer leagues in DC that hold this type of contest separately, we believe tournaments are the perfect way to wrap up a season of learning, playing, and competing.
Pathway
One of the main reasons families join PPA is because we offer many paths for different players. If your player is passionate about the sport, we have teams that compete at the highest levels. Whether you want to play for fun or you want to compete against the best players in the country, PPA has a path for you.
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