DEFC Central Fall Recreational Program

DEFC Central Recreational - Fall 2026

DEFC Central - (Middletown/Odessa/Townsend/Smyrna/Bear/Cecil County)

Registration will close on August 7th. Certain Age Groups may close before 8/7 if they reach capacity. Avoid being waitlisted - register today!

For answers to frequently asked questions regarding registration - CLICK HERE

Fall 2026 Tentative Program Dates, 7-week season*

Registration Open 6/1

Registration Closes 8/7

Notification of team assignments 8/28

Practices for U8 and above begin the week of 9/7

First games for U8 and above and first Discovery sessions 9/12

Last game day and last Discovery sessions 10/24

Make Up Date if needed 10/31

• subject to change

US Soccer Age Group Changes Starting This Fall

US Soccer has returned to school-year age groups rather than birth-year age groups, starting this Fall.

CLICK HERE FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Age Group Chart Recreational Program Fall 2026

Discovery U4 Aug 1, 2022 - Jul 31, 2023 Discovery U5 Aug 1, 2021 - Jul 31, 2022 Discovery U6 Aug 1, 2020 - Jul 31, 2021 U8 Aug 1, 2018 - Jul 31, 2020 U10 Aug 1, 2016 - Jul 31, 2018 U12 Aug 1, 2014 - Jul 31, 2016 U14 Aug 1, 2012 - Jul 31, 2014 HS Aug 1, 2007 - Jul 31, 2012

PROGRAM INFORMATION - Click the + button for age group information

Discovery Program: U4, U5, U6

This program is designed to introduce basic soccer skills or build on players' skills in a fun environment. Coaches will introduce a new skill each week for players to develop and will then reinforce the skill through soccer-related games and activities. Our U3/U4 age groups will always end with activities centered around scoring goals, and our older U5/U6 age will conclude with 4v4 scrimmages.

U4 - 9am

U5 - 10am

U6 - 11am

For the Fall 2026 season, all sessions will be held at M.O.T. Charter High School on the back fields.

Uniform/Equipment Requirements

• NO JEWELRY, no hard hair barrettes, no casts.
• Soccer cleats are recommended but not required.
• Shin guards under socks
• Size 3 ball
• A Delaware FC t-shirt will be provided

Under 8

Players are assigned to teams, and teams practice one evening per week under the supervision of volunteer parent coaches. Your child's coach will determine the day(s), times, and location.

We rely on volunteer coaches, of whom we never have enough. Coaches decide the practice day and time that fits their schedule.

U8s will have weekly games against other DEFC U8 teams on Saturdays. Game times will vary from week to week. League games are played in age-appropriate small-sided formats.

For the Fall 2026 season, games will be played at M.O.T. Charter High School on the fields behind the school.

Uniform/Equipment Requirements

U8 Players are required to wear a DEFC uniform.

You can order uniform jerseys during the registration process.

• NO JEWELRY, no hard hair barrettes, no casts.
• Soccer cleats are recommended.
• Shin guards under socks
• Size 3 ball
• Delaware FC Hockessin Jerseys black and sky blue, black shorts and black socks

Under 10

Recreational Season Information

Players are assigned to teams, and teams practice one evening per week under the supervision of volunteer parent coaches. Your child's coach will determine the day(s), times, and location.

We rely on volunteer coaches, of whom we never have enough. Coaches decide the practice day and time that fits their schedule.

U10 teams play weekly games on Saturdays against other DEFC U10 teams. League games are played in age-appropriate small-sided formats. U10 plays 7v7 or 8v8.

Uniform/Equipment Requirements

U10 Players are required to wear a DEFC uniform.

• Returning U10 players and up will wear their current DEFC jerseys. New players or those requiring new sizes can order jerseys during the registration process.
• NO JEWELRY, no hard hair barrettes, no casts.
• Soccer cleats are recommended.
• Shin guards under socks
• Size 3 ball
• Delaware FC Hockessin Jerseys black and sky blue, black shorts and black socks

Under 12

Recreational Season Information

Players are assigned to teams and train one or two nights per week under the supervision of volunteer parent coaches. U12 and up play games on Saturdays. Coaches pick the day(s) and times for the weekly practices. Practice locations are assigned by the club. We rely on volunteer coaches, of whom we never have enough. Coaches decide the day, time, and whether they want 1 or 2 practices a week that fit their schedule.

U12 recreational teams have historically played in the DYSA Inter-League. This league is formed with other clubs within Delaware, and games are played on Saturdays. Please note that some travel within the state of Delaware will be required. U12 play a 9v9 format.

If there are enough DEFC Central teams, all games will be in in-house, with games in the Middletown area.

If there are not enough DEFC teams in the DEFC Central program, but there are enough teams combined with the DEFC North program, all games will be in-house, with games split between Middletown and Hockessin.

Uniform/Equipment Requirements

• Returning U12 players and up will wear their current DEFC jerseys. New players or those requiring new sizes will be provided with uniform ordering information.
• NO JEWELRY, no hard hair barrettes, no casts.
• Soccer cleats are recommended but not required.
• Shin guards under socks
• Size 4 ball
• Delaware FC Jerseys black and sky blue, black shorts, and black socks
• Goalie gloves are recommended for keepers

Under 14

2011 birth year players still in middle school may opt to play in the U14 division if the there birthdate is between 9/1/2011 and 12/31/2011)

Players are assigned to teams and train one or two nights per week under the supervision of volunteer parent coaches. Coaches determine the practice day(s) and times. Practice locations are assigned by the club. We rely on volunteer coaches, of whom we never have enough. Coaches decide the day, time, and whether they want 1 or 2 practices a week that fit their schedule.

U14 recreational teams have historically played in the DYSA Inter-League. This league is formed with other clubs within Delaware, and games are played on Saturdays. Please note that some travel within the state of Delaware will be required. U14 play in an 11v11 format.

If there are enough DEFC Central teams, all games will be in-house, with games in the Hockessin area.

If there are not enough DEFC teams in the DEFC Central program, but there are enough teams combined with the DEFC North program, all games will be in-house, with games split between Middletown and Hockessin.

Uniform/Equipment Requirements

• Returning U14 players and up will wear their current DEFC jerseys. New players or those requiring new sizes will be provided with uniform ordering information.
• No jewelry, no hard hair barrettes, no casts.
• Soccer cleats are recommended but not required.
• Shin guards under socks
• Size 5 ball
• Delaware FC Jerseys black and sky blue, black shorts, and black socks
• Goalie gloves recommended

Senior Divisions

(U19) Girls, PLAYS IN THE FALL ONLY

(U19) Boys, PLAYS IN THE SPRING ONLY

Recreational Season Information

Players are assigned to teams and train once a week under the supervision of volunteer parent coaches.

Practice locations are assigned by the club. We rely on volunteer coaches, of whom we never have enough. Coaches decide the practice day and time that fits their schedule.

Please note that this age group will play in the DYSA InterClub league. This league is formed with other clubs within Delaware, and games are played on Saturdays. Please note that some travel within the state of Delaware will be required.

11v11 format

Uniform/Equipment Requirements

• Returning HS-aged players will wear their current DEFC jerseys. New players or those requiring new sizes will be provided with uniform ordering information.
• No jewelry, no hard hair barrettes, no casts.
• Soccer cleats are recommended but not required.
• Shin guards under socks
• Size 5 ball
• Delaware FC Hockessin Jerseys black and sky blue, black shorts, and black socks
• Goalie gloves recommended

Click the Blue link next to your child's age group to complete registration. It is best to do this on a PC rather than a phone.

Registration Fees

Age Group Register before 6/30 Register before 7/31 Register 8/1 to close on 8/7 Registration link Discovery U4 TinyMites $50 $65 $90 CLICK HERE Discovery U5 MiniMites $110 $125 $150 CLICK HERE

Discovery U6 Dynamites

$110 $125 $150 CLICK HERE U8 $160 $170 $195 CLICK HERE U10 $160 $170 $195 CLICK HERE U12 $160 $170 $195 CLICK HERE U14 $150 $160 $160 CLICK HERE HS Girls $150 $160 $160 CLICK HERE

• Discovery age group participants do not need to order uniforms. Discovery participants are provided a DEFC t-shirt.

DEFC uses SPROCKET SPORTS for registration and member communications

Instructions To Complete Registration

• When you click the link above you will be taken to our registration system - Sprocket Sports.
• If you already have a DEFC SPROCKET account, you will see available program registration links when you sign in. Select DEFC North 2025 Fall Recreational Program
• If you do not already have a Sprocket account Click “Don’t Have An Account” in blue at that login screen. And follow the steps to create your account and complete your registration.
• All program communications will be delivered to registrants through the Sprocket Sports app. Download the free app here: https://delawarefc.sprocketsports.com/club/sprocketapp

PRACTICES

Discovery Age Groups - have one session each week on Saturday mornings with all participants.

U8, U10, U12, U14 & HS Age Groups - Players are assigned to teams, and teams practice one evening per week under the supervision of volunteer parent coaches. Your child's coach will determine the day(s), times, and location.

We rely on volunteer coaches, of whom we never have enough. Coaches decide the practice day and time that fits their schedule.

GAME DAY INFORMATION

Discovery age groups - all sessions are Saturday mornings.

For U8-U10, all games are played on Saturdays between 9 AM and 2 PM (ending times may vary depending on the number of teams in each division). All games are at MOT Charter High School. Game schedules will be provided approximately two weeks prior to the start of the season

For U12+, all games are played on Saturdays between 9AM and 4PM. The number of home and away games vary by team. In-house games will be in the Middletown area or a combination of Middletown and Hockessin, with schedules provided approximately two weeks prior to the start of the season.

For U14 ands senior division teams competing in the DSYA Inter-League will have home games in Middletown and away games at other Delaware clubs. DSYA determines the game schedule and will be provided approximately one week prior to the start of the season.

REGISTRATION SCHEDULE

Registration Opens June 1st.

Registration Closes August 7th

RECREATION PROGRAM REFUND POLICY

Uniforms/Equipment

• Discovery ages do not need to order a uniform – t-shirts are provided.
• Returning players U8 and up will wear their current DEFC jerseys. New players or players needing new shirts can order jerseys during the registration process.
• Soccer cleats are recommended.
• Shin guards are required for U10 and above.
• Soccer ball - sizes:
• All players are required to bring theri own ball to practices

• TinyMites, MiniMites, DynaMites, U8 - Size 3
• U10, U12 - Size 4
• U14 and up - Size 5
• NO JEWELRY, no hard hair barrettes, no toe cleats, no casts.

Game Day Rules & Guidelines

U8 Boys Recreational Program Game Day Rules

U8 Girls Recreational Program Game Day Rules

U10 Boys Recreational Game Day Rules

U10 Girls Recreational Game Day Rules

U12 Boys Recreational Game Day Rules

U12 Girls Recreational Game Day Rules

U14 Boys & Girls/HS Girls Game Day Rules

U14 and HS age groups follow DYSA InterClub Rules

Joel Flores

Recreational Director - Central

• Email Joel

Central Rec Program

• Email Central Rec