Need to Know
United DFC Need to Know - April 17th - April 23rd, 2024
Welcome to United DFC’s weekly Need to Know newsletter. Our aim is to keep you informed about everything that is going on inside the club. Watch for your update every Wednesday.
A and AA Schedule Update
The Schedule for the Skill Center, A and AA teams are now posted for the month of April and May.
Spring practices started on Monday, April 15th and will run until May 31st.
The schedule for June-August will be posted in May, after we receive our turf and grass allocation from HRM.
The schedules for the B teams will be posted once all teams have been created and confirmed and will start May 1st one night a week in a gymnasium.
FREE Newcomer Try It Program
United DFC is inviting all Newcomers to a FREE “Try It” soccer program starting the week of April 29 in Dartmouth. This program is specifically designed to welcome newcomers to Canada aged 5 years old to 12 years into our wonderful soccer community! Click here to register and for more information. Boys and girls are welcome! No soccer experience needed.
Please email susans@udfc.ca to volunteer at this amazing program.
Participants may choose from one of these options:
- John Martin Junior High School 6-7 pm for players 5-7 years old (Monday, April 29, May 6 & May 13)
- John Martin Junior High School 7-8 pm for players 8-12 years old (Monday, April 29, May 6 & May 13)
- Ian Forsythe Elementary School 6-7 pm for players 5-7 years old (Wednesday, May 1, May 8, May15 & May 22)
- Ian Forsythe Elementary School 7-8 pm for players 8-12 years old (Wednesday, May 1, May 8, May15 & May 22)
Goalkeeper Academy - Wanderers FC’s Yann Fillion
UDFC will be running a Goalkeeper Academy Partner Program with Halifax Wanderers FC Goalkeeper Yann Fillion during Summer 2024!
CLICK HERE for more information regarding program details, eligibility, tentative schedules, and how to register.
Youth Running Series
On your mark, get set, GO get your calendar to add the dates of the 2024 YRS races! What's old is new again, so we're excited to head back to the MET Field for a spring track race.
Full-series and single-race registration opens on March 24, but more information about age categories, the race day schedule, and a new race-bib pick-up perk for full-series members will follow before then. Happy training—we can't wait to see you in April! This is a great family event for families and teams.
((dates and times are tentative based on final field booking confirmations))
New League Opportunity for Women 45+!
Donna Longard has been involved in creating a place for women to play soccer in the HRM for over 25 years. She is now working on forming a new 45+ women's soccer team, open for women, born in 1979 or earlier.
Here's some more information about the opportunity:
- Summer league play in Citadel Women's 7 ASide SL, will start on May 20th or May 26th
- Season runs from May to end of September
- Almost exclusively on Sunday evenings, except for the Labour w/e games are on Monday
- Most games played at the Mainland Commons fields and at the BMO Soccer Centre
- 1/2 field with 7 players aside (keeper + 6 players on the field)
- May - August game start times are 6:00 pm and 7:15 pm
- September games start at 5:00 pm
- Our year-end tournament, the Challenge Cup, is the last w/e of September
- Approximately 15 games in the season
- It is recreational, but competitive, and most of all so much fun!
- Your team becomes your soccer family and friends!
Total cost is approximately $125 - $150 for the season. This includes club registration + team fees (league + fields + ref + tourney
This is a couple of hours of "YOU TIME"... Join us!!
If interested in joining the team or have questions, contact Donna at dlongard55@gmail.com or 902-477-5741
Summer 2024 High Performance Camps
Registration is currently open for High Performance Camps! United DFC High Performance Players have access to enhanced supplementary training, furthering their development in the beautiful game.
For more information please CLICK HERE.
Individual Technical Development Program
United DFC’s Individual Technical Development Program is currently open for registration:
This program is designed for players seeking to work on their individual development. The program curriculum for U6-U12 players is centered on high-touch ball manipulation work. The program curriculum for U13-U18 players is focused on high-repetition technical work, which will expand on ball mastery to include passing, finishing, 1v1, 2v2, aerial control, etc.
Find out more on our website!
Mini Program Reminders
May 5th: Last day to submit friend requests
June 3rd: Sessions begin (pending fields opening June 1)
Weeks of June 10 & 17: Team Photos at the field
July 6 (rain date 7th): Soccermania (festival)
August 17 (rain date 18th): Soccer by the Sea (festival)
Week of August 19th: Last week of program - “Player vs Fans” game night
Gear Collection
We are currently accepting new or gently used gear at our office that you no longer need. Any gear dropped off will be offered to any members who are in need. We will accept cleats, shin pads, gently used socks, shorts, training shirts, jerseys (GK jerseys too!) , tracksuits, hoodies, etc. as long as it is still in good condition.
At the end of April, we will have a day (TBD) where members may come and check through the gear to see if there is anything they could use, free of charge.
Social Media Campaigns - We need your help!
United DFC is launching social media campaigns for coach and player recruitment. The most effective way to spread the word to the audience we want to attract is for our members to INTERACT with our posts. On Facebook, it is as easy as commenting or sharing and the post will show up in your feed for others to see. On Instagram, please view, like and comment. We can't express our appreciation enough for members who do this. #UnitedDFCFamily
Looking for Testimonials - SHARE YOUR STORY
We want to hear YOUR story! Share your experience as part of the #UnitedDFCFamily and let's celebrate the #UnitedDFCExperience together! Plus, as a big thank you, we're giving away awesome gifts to those whose stories we feature! Don't miss out on your chance to share the love and snag some sweet swag. Let's make memories together! #ShareYourStory #GratitudeGesture. Send a few sentences and a photo we can use on social media to katies@udfc.ca or click here to fill out the form. (along with the gift you would prefer).
Entry Level Referee Course 2024
- Block 1 - Canada Soccer Online Theory Modules - click here to access the Canada Soccer registration portal
- Registration and payment will be through Canada Soccer
- Cost is $50
- Attached is a guide to help manage the registration process for Block 1
- Block 1 must be completed prior to registration and participation for Block 2
- The minimum age to apply for the Entry Level Referee Course is 14 years of age at the time of registering for Block 1 - Canada Soccer Online Theory Modules.
For additional information on the Entry Level Referee Course, click here. We are currently in the process of updating the information now that the link for Block 1 - Canada Soccer Online Theory Modules has been provided. Please check often for updated information over the next few weeks.
Senior Programs Expression of Interest
Please fill out the form found here if you are interested in playing for one of our Senior Programs this summer.
Jersey 4 Life
If you are planning to pick up a kit or set of jerseys for your player, please wait until after Tuesday April 16th as we are expecting a shipment of jerseys to come in early this week.
We are hiring! (and looking for youth volunteers too!)
Youth and young adults between ages 16-30 who would be interested in full time summer employment with the club should complete the expression of interest for the Rising Leaders Initiative here.
Youth volunteers of any age are invited to also complete the expression of interest.
United DFC Rising Leaders
Welcome to United DFC's "Rising Leaders" Junior Soccer Coach Initiative! This unique initiative is designed to cultivate the next generation of soccer leaders by providing aspiring coaches with valuable skills, hands-on experience, and mentorship opportunities. Join us in this exciting journey to develop not just soccer expertise, but also leadership qualities that will shape the future of youth soccer coaching.
We are looking for coaches interested in working for the club as a coach as well as coaches who are interested in volunteering to coach. All volunteer coaches may ask for a reference letter and/or confirmation of their hours.
Please fill out the form here. If you have any questions please contact susans@udfc.ca
Gloves
Email Coach Keith for a discount code.
Office Hours
Social Media Channels
Please follow our social media channels and like/tag/share/comment on any posts that resonate with you. This is a small thing you can do that will help the club a great deal.
Instagram: @UnitedDFC
Facebook: @UnitedDFC
Twitter: @UnitedDFC
TikTok: @UnitedDFC
YouTube: @United DFC
