About the Program: 

United DFC’s Skill Centre programs are designed to provide the players with a fun, social experience that continues to grow a love for soccer as well as teaching the fundamental and foundational developmental aspects of soccer.  

Skill Centres are open to all players, including those that have not played soccer before! There is a capacity of 40 players per program based on our current club infrastructure capacity (facility time) and coach ratio. 

This program will consist of 2 x practices per week and festival-format games (2 short games close together) every second Saturday throughout the season. The season will span from mid-October until March 11, 2022, with a break during the holidays in December.  

The United DFC Skill Centre program is aligned with Soccer Nova Scotia’s Skill Centre principals, as well as Canada Soccer’s Grassroots Standards. 

Note: Players who only want to attend soccer once a week can also check out our Mini Program (born in 2014 & 2015) and our U10/12 Community Program (born in 2011-2013) . These programs have a different level and style of coaching. 

Skill Centre Coaches: 

United DFC uses a team approach to coaching which means that a team of great coaches work together under an experienced head coach’s guidance to provide players with the best experience possible. Coaches follow a curriculum developed by the Canadian Soccer Association, Soccer NS, United DFC and the head coach.  

All United DFC Coaches will be properly qualified and on-boarded in order to ensure that we as a club adhere to the standards & principles set by Soccer Nova Scotia & Canada Soccer.  

Skill Centre Selection Policy: 

Skills Centers are open to all interested players until the program cap is reached. In rare situations, coaches may recommend alternate pathways for players who may benefit in an alternate environment. United DFCs goal is to place players in the most developmentally appropriate environment.   
 

Cost (Fall/Winter 2021/22): 

U8/U9 - $400

U10/U11 - $440
 
Payment options are available. The first payment is due upon registration.  
Funding support is available - please see KidSport (here) or JumpStart (here). For further support, please contact Club directly. 

  

Age Groups (Winter 2021): 

U7/8/9  

• U7 (born 2015, 2016) 

• U8 (born 2014) 

• U9 (born 2013) 

U10/11 

• U10 (born 2012) 

• U11 (born 2011) 

  

Skill Centre Games are all played on Saturdays.   

U7/8/9 Festival Days - November 6,20, Dec 4, 18, January 15, 29, February 12, 26 
U10/11 Festival Days - October 30, November 13,27, Dec 11, January 8, 22, February 5, 19 

 

Key Dates: 

September 1st: Program Information released & Coaches application form opens 

September 8th: Registration opens 

September 26th: Registration & Coaches application closes (1st payment installment due) 

October 11th (week of): Practices begin 

October 30/31: First festival weekend 

December 20th: Holiday Break begins 

January 3rd: Holiday Break concludes  

February 26/27th: Last festival weekend 

March 11, 2022: End of season  

 

U7/U8/U9/U10/U11 Skills Centers:

• All players are required to wear outdoor soccer cleats and have shin guards/pads when playing.  Indoor running shoes or soccer shoes are required for gym floors when training inside in the spring or winter.
   
• Players are expected to have their own size 4 (U13B and down) or size 5 ball (13A and up) to practice at home. The club will provide balls for practices.
   
• The players expected to wear club-approved Adidas Navy shorts and Navy soccer socks. Available for purchase on our online store here or at the UDFC office.  
   
• Families of U12 and older performance will purchase a navy UDFC “Jersey-4-Life” for $60. Click here to learn more about the Jersey-4-Life program. and an Alternate green jersey for $20.
• Skill Centre players, U8-U11 will be required to purchase a Navy dry-fit training shirt and the Electric dry-fit training shirt for $20 each. These will be sufficient for games and are available for purchase here.
   
• Club-approved tracksuits and club clothing are available for purchase here but are optional for U12 A/B and U13+ levels A and B.  Requirement for tracksuits at levels AAA and AA will be a team decision.
   
• At the Performance level, players are asked to wear club training shirts to practice which are available for purchase here.