PPA's Soccer Leagues: FAQ
Overview
PPA has two programs for Team Sports, Development and Premier.
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What is the difference between Development and Premier Soccer?
PPA's Development Program is open to all players of all levels, with a focus on skill development through building a fun and supportive environment for the players. We build Development Teams locally, with players' school or neighborhood in mind. Practices are scheduled at local parks or school fields for convenience. Teams in the Development Program play in PPA's in-house leagues against other PPA teams.
The Development Program is a Seasonal Commitment, with a season running about 2-3 months. Players in the Development Leagues are evaluated by staff, and players that demonstrate a high level of talent have opportunities to join Premier Teams.
PPA's Premier Program is invite only and is dedicated toward the most talented and dedicated athletes. Teams in the Premier Program play in travel leagues and strive for the highest levels of competition. Players new to PPA MUST BE EVALUATED VIA TRYOUT to be invited to a Premier Team. All players already in PPA's development leagues are evaluated by our coaches as potential premier players and DO NOT NEED TO TRYOUT. Most of PPA's Premier Teams are made of players who moved up through the Development program.
The Premier Program is a 12-month, commitment, typically starting in the Fall.
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I am on a team, where can I find information on my team, like my roster, coach, or schedule?
PPA has its own Portal Website: www.myppaportal.com. Registration for any program goes through the portal. If you ever need to find information on a program you are registered for, you can find it on your portal under "my programs." Or you have the option of downloading the PPA app on android/apple devices where all the information you need is accessible for when you are on the move!
Your team's schedule, roster, coach and manager contacts, and more are all stored there!
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I am having trouble navigating the portal, what should I do?
If you are having issues with the Portal, you can send a note to our administrative staff at info@ppateam.com, or give our front office a call at (240) 532 - 8431.
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I lost my password and cannot reset it, who do I contact?
If you are having issues with the Portal, you can send a note to our administrative staff at info@ppateam.com, or give our front office a call at (240) 532 - 8431.
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What equipment do I need to get for each player?
Every player needs to bring a ball, cleats, shinguards, and water to practices and games.
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Does PPA have any specific policies I, or my child, need to follow?
You can read all of our Policies and our Code of Conduct on our Policies Page HERE.
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How do I apply for Financial Aid?
The Financial Aid Form can be found on our Policies Page HERE. Please fill it out and send it along to Joe Iraola (joe@ppateam.com)
Joining
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How do I join a Development Team?
PPA has multiple avenues to join the Development Program, none of which require a tryout:
If you have a group of family or friends and would like to start your own team, you can get started by putting in a request HERE.
If you just want to join as an individual, you can sign up by registering HERE.
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Can I request to be on a specific team or with a specific teammate?
Absolutely! You can put in team or teammate request when you register. However, there are only so many spots on each roster, so we cannot fulfill every request.
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I am already on a Development Team. Am I guaranteed a spot with this same team next season?
Yes! First priority is given to returning players every season. Registration Instructions are sent to returning families between seasons with a deadline included. Once the deadline is passed, open spots are filled in with new players.
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Is "Development" the same a Recreational Soccer?
PPA's Development Program stands apart from Recreational Programs in a couple ways:
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We have no parent-coaches in our academy. All Development Teams are coached by our Professional Coaches.
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We encourage players practice more than once per week - Development Players receive two weekly practice options starting in 2nd Grade.
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1 Team Practice.
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Guaranteed 7 games in a season.
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We guarantee an End of Season Tournament for all our Development Leagues starting in 2nd grade, a feature not guaranteed by other recreational programs.
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We offer pathways forward for Development Players to grow and potentially join our Premier Program through evaluation, Allstar Selections and Games, and our Leadership Program.
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If I am new, how do I know what team I have been placed on?
At first your child will be placed in a player pool. We will then send out Registration Instructions to parents of new players once they are placed on a team. Those instructions will include some logistical information like when and where the practices are. Once you register for the team you will also gain access to the roster so you can see who is on your team and who the coach is.
Participating
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Will my child play in every game?
Yes - The focus of the Development Program is Player Development. Every player will play, and we place an added emphasis on creating a fun and supportive environment in which the players can learn and grow.
If the games become one sided, we give our coaches the leeway to adjust to the circumstances to keep the game fun and create more parity. It is not about winning and losing, it is about learning and growing.
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How are practices scheduled? When will I know my schedule?
In the Development Program, we focus on building teams locally, meaning teams are made of players located at the same school or in the same neighborhood. We will then try to schedule practices at a field in that area so getting to practice is easy on parents.
Development players practice once a week, and receive one game a week.
Practice Schedules are normally set around 1-month out from the start of the season. However, we have to acquire field permits from schools or the county, so our schedules are tied to their schedules in releasing permits. Once confirmed, schedules are emailed out to teams and uploaded to the portal for everyone to see.
Practice schedules are typically kept consistent from season to season to keep things simple for parents.
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How are games scheduled? When will I know my schedule?
Games will be at the same location (pertaining permits), on the same day on the weekends throughout the season. Generally, each league will play in the same time-block each weekend, so your game time may vary by an hour or two each weekend.
Game locations, days, and time-blocks will be released to teams well in advance of the start of the season. Specific game times will be sent out and uploaded to the Portal around 2-weeks prior to the season once set.
In the Development Program, we have TWO game-locations, one DC and one Maryland. Teams will play at a certain location on the weekends depending on the following factors:
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Competition Level
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Location Convenience
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How will I know of any cancellations or schedule changes?
In the event of a cancellation or change in schedule, we will immediately send an email notification to all affected and update the schedule in the portal.
Please make sure your contact information in the Portal is accurate so you receive any and all notifications!
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How and when will I get a Jersey?
Once teams have been decided, jerseys need to be ordered off Squadlocker and the link can be found HERE for grades 2-8. K-1 do not need jerseys.
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Who are my points of contact and how do I find them?
You can find PPA's Office contact information HERE.
For the Development Program, your main points of contact will be your Coach, whose contact information will be listed on your portal with your team's roster, or your League Director, whose contact information you can find HERE.