Soccer Development Program
From first kicks to competitive play, Concord’s Soccer Development Program gives every player a place to grow, belong, and love the game.
Recreational Soccer, Built for the Whole Family
The Soccer Development Program is Concord Soccer’s recreational and developmental program, serving players from U5 through U19. It runs in the fall, spring, and winter, giving players year-round opportunities to develop skills, build friendships, and experience the joy of the game in a positive, low-pressure environment.
SDP is focused on player development, not standings. From U5 through U10, there are no win-loss records, no championships, and no playoffs. The goal is simple: help every player grow, have fun, and fall in love with soccer.
Looking for soccer for toddlers in Wilmington? Concord Soccer’s U5 and U6 programs are designed specifically for the youngest players, with age-appropriate activities that build coordination, confidence, and a love of the game before the competitive side of soccer ever enters the picture.
This program runs because of the community that surrounds it. All SDP coaches are volunteer parents, and every family that registers becomes part of what makes it work. That is not a limitation. It is the point.
What You Need to Know
Seasons
Fall
Registration opens July 1. Opening Day is first Saturday after Labor Day. Closing Day is typically Saturday before clocks change to Standard Time.
Spring
Registration opens February 1. Opening Day is usually first Saturday in April. Closing Day is usually the Saturday after Memorial Day. No sessions on Memorial Day weekend.
Winter Futsal
Concord Soccer’s winter futsal program in Delaware runs 8 Saturday sessions in December, January, and February. Normally held at Springer Middle School, 2220 Shipley Road, Wilmington, DE.
Age Groups
Players are assigned to age groups based on gender and school-based year.
| Age Group | Born |
|---|---|
|
U5 |
8/1/2021 to 7/31/2023 |
|
U6 |
8/1/2020 to 7/31/2021 |
|
U8 Boys and Girls |
8/1/2018 to 7/31/2020 |
|
U10 Boys and Girls |
8/1/2024 to 7/31/2016 |
|
U12 Boys and Girls |
8/1/2014 to 7/31/2016 |
|
U14 Boys and Girls |
8/1/2012 to 7/31/2014 |
|
U19 Boys and Girls |
8/1/2008 to 7/31/2012 |
Note: U19 Boys are not offered in the fall and U19 Girls are not offered in spring due to high school soccer season.
Beginning with the Fall 2026 season, U.S. Soccer and Delaware Youth Soccer Association (DYSA) are requiring all teams to transition from a birth‑year structure to a school‑year structure (August 1–July 31).
Format by Age Group
| Age Group | Born | Games | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
|
U5 |
No Practice |
Saturdays at TDP (2v2 or 3v3, no GK) |
Skill development + game |
|
U6 |
One weeknight at TDP |
Saturdays at TDP (2v2 or 3v3, no GK) |
Skill development + game |
|
U8 |
One weeknight at TDP |
Saturdays at TDP (4v4, no GK) |
4v4 |
|
U10 |
One weeknight at local fields |
Saturdays at Concord Complex (7v7) |
7v7 |
|
U12 |
Two weeknights at local fields |
Saturdays vs. other clubs (9v9) |
9v9 |
|
U14 and U19 |
Two weeknights at local fields |
Saturdays vs. other clubs (11v11) |
11v11 |
U12, U14, and U19 home games are played at the Concord Complex or Hanby Elementary School, 2523 Berwyn Road, Wilmington, DE.
Registration Fees
Late Fee: A $25 fee applies to all registrations submitted after the late-fee deadline.
Family Discount: A $25 discount is applied for each player beyond two when a family registers three or more players in the development program.
Volunteer Discount: A $50 discount is applied for parents who volunteer to coach a team.
Refunds: Refunds are granted if requested. Please reach out via our contact form on or before the refund deadline. A $10 processing fee will be deducted.
Winter Futsal Fee: $90 for all 8 sessions.
Registration
Registration is completed online through our Team Snap portal. Payment is made by credit card at the time of registration. During registration, families indicate any nights their player is not available to train. A confirmation email is sent upon successful registration.
Special requests, including requests for specific coaches, teammates, or carpool arrangements, cannot be accommodated. Concord Soccer’s philosophy is to help players meet new friends and connect with coaches and families across the community.
Required Equipment
All players must bring the following to every practice and game:
- Shin guards (required)
- Filled water bottle
- Players with braces must wear a protective mouthpiece
- No jewelry of any kind (bracelets, necklaces, earrings)
Soccer shoes are optional at the Kiddie Kicker level and strongly recommended for U8 and older.
Uniforms
Kiddie Kicker through U10: Players wear Concord red/white jerseys. If a team is sponsored, players will receive a sponsor T-shirt instead. Jerseys may be purchased for $20 at Talley Day Park on the first two Saturdays of the season.
U12 and above: Players wear the Concord Soccer Adidas uniform kit (red short-sleeve jersey, red shorts, and red socks), available for purchase locally. Details are provided upon registration.
Weather
Practices: Cancellation decisions are made by the team's volunteer coaches and communicated to families by 4:00pm on the practice day.
Games: Cancellation decisions are made by the club and posted on the website by 7:00am on game day. If conditions worsen during the day, the decision to cancel rests with the game referee, or with the coaches for U8 and younger. Games canceled due to weather are not rescheduled.
Coaches Who Show Up
for Your Kid
Every SDP team is coached by a volunteer parent. These are moms and dads, neighbors and community members, who give their time because they believe in what this program does for kids. Concord Soccer provides materials, guidance, and a pre-season coaches meeting to set every volunteer up for success.
What is expected of every SDP coach:
- Attend the pre-season coaches meeting
- Communicate practice cancellations to families by 4:00pm on practice days
- Model the Concord Way: respect for players, opponents, officials, and the game
What is expected of every SDP family
All players and parents are asked to read and follow the Player and Parent Expectations before the season begins. The Concord Way applies to everyone on the sideline, not just the players on the field. Positive sideline behavior is not a suggestion. It is a standard.
Volunteering: Concord Soccer actively seeks volunteer coaches each season. If you are interested in coaching, please register as a volunteer during the online registration process. The program cannot run without you, and the club is grateful for every parent who steps up.
Where SDP Can Take Your Player
SDP is the beginning of the Concord Soccer journey, but it does not have to be the end. Players who develop a passion for the game and a desire to compete at a higher level have a clear path forward within the same club.
The Concord Soccer Pathway:
Soccer Development Program
SDP All-Stars
Representative Teams
The SDP All-Star Game is a meaningful milestone in that journey. It is the moment where recreational players get a first look at what competitive play feels like, in a supportive environment, surrounded by the same community they already know. Players who are ready to take the next step can try out for Concord Soccer’s Representative Teams, where the coaching model, the commitment level, and the competition all step up, without leaving the values behind.
Ready to Register?
From first kicks to competitive play, Concord’s Soccer Development Program (SDP) gives every player a place to grow, belong, and love the game.