This content is sponsored by DC Soccer Club.
DC Stoddert Soccer has been a well-respected name in D.C. youth soccer for more than 40 years; and now the soccer club synonymous with positivity, fun, sportsmanship and community building is getting a new name: DC Soccer Club.
The name change is an opportunity to show the soccer club’s evolution and continued commitment to the area that it serves, said DC Soccer Club Executive Director Jennifer Gootman.
“The name was associated with a small elementary school in a small part of D.C. and so as we are coming back from COVID and kids are getting back on the fields and there are opportunities to start to have normal activities again, we thought the time was right to make the point that we are here and we will continue to serve D.C. and the surrounding communities for, we hope, another 40 years. We really are D.C. soccer and we serve D.C. as a community,” Gootman said.
The club was initially named after Stoddert Elementary School, a Glover Park school where, in 1977, about 60 children learned to play soccer in small groups. Benjamin Stoddert, the namesake of the elementary school, owned slaves.
“His racist history does not align with DC Soccer Club’s values, thus another reason for the name change,” said Board Chair Haze McCrary.
The name may be different, but the Club’s goals remain the same: make soccer accessible to players of all levels and backgrounds, build technical soccer skills in an inclusive, competitive, fun and supportive environment, and foster life lessons and lifelong friendships.
DC Soccer Club is the city’s largest independent youth sports program and offers a variety of pathways and programs for the roughly 8,500 participants of all ages and skill levels. Paid professional coaches and hundreds of volunteer coaches work together to support these players and their families.
DC Soccer’s largest programs are the Recreational league and Travel program, which provide differing levels of coaching, competition and commitment.
“Both promise inclusive environments where kids will learn new skills and life lessons that will resonate on and off the soccer field,” Gootman said.
DC Soccer Club’s core programs start at ages 3-4 and based on a child’s goals, interests and involvement, they can continue on until they are about 25 years old. The programs and leagues take place predominately on D.C. fields. See all of the offerings here.
“Participants are able to compete in leagues that provide opportunities for them to play at levels that are both appropriate and challenging for them,” Gootman added.
Over the last five years, DC Soccer club has added even more clinics, summer leagues and programs. Additional offerings such as 3v3 tournaments, classes to help parents better understand the sport, and leagues for those with special needs ensure there is an outlet for all who are interested.
“We are a tight-knit community of people: Parents, players, siblings come out and enjoy being on the field and on the sidelines, and we encourage sportsmanship and fair play and a sense of community that is important to embrace and teach our players to reflect in their experiences [in their lives],” Gootman said.
“The coaching staff at DC Soccer Club elevates players’ experiences and help them reach their full potential,” said Hamami. The high-level, licensed and experienced soccer coaches have consistent tone, quality and attention to detail. They also practice what they preach when it comes to good sportsmanship, Hamami said.
“Coaches are part of the players’ support network and often go on to mentor many participants,” Hamami added.
No matter your interest, DC Soccer Club is always adding participants. Registration is open for the fall rec program and for the club’s restructured mid-tier offering now, and individual tryouts are always an option for the travel teams, said Communications Manager Nick Papadis. The programs for younger soccer players are always registering new kids – the six-week-long seasons run every seven to eight weeks.
“Any season that somebody is interested in getting involved, there is a program … for them,” Papadis said. Register for programs here.
The cost to participate in DC Soccer Club programs varies based on level, the type of coach and the type of league, but for all programs costs start at $110 a season. DC Soccer Club’s Recreational program is one of the least expensive youth sports programs for boys and girls in the region. DC Soccer Club also offers financial support to players who need assistance – in fact, one in six players is offered financial assistance.
“We are really committed to that and we give out $250,000 to $300,000 in fee waivers a year in order to support those players who demonstrate a financial need. And in a city like D.C. I think that’s super important,” McCrary said, adding that DC Soccer Club’s financial assistance provides kids with chances to play in a way that many other for-profit clubs aren’t able to.
DC Soccer Club is gearing up for a busy summer too. Summer camp runs all summer long for girls and boys ages 5-14 and welcome participants of all levels of soccer experience. Camp takes places at several different locations and at the heart of the camp is “getting kids out and keeping them active during the summer while improving their soccer skills,” Gootman said.
Also, DC Soccer Club is hosting its first travel tournament in August, which will bring about 2,500 people to the District. It aims to put D.C. on the map when it comes to youth soccer competitions.
“We really want to make D.C. one of those cities that you think of when you think about major tournaments in a major city,” Papadis said. “We are hoping that we can drive this as a destination event. Players and their families can come to D.C. and play a soccer tournament; but they can also explore Washington, D.C.’s history and its many free museums and monuments.”
Read more about DC Soccer Club’s offerings and register now on its website.
