Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 registration information
Who can play?
The Dublin United Soccer Club is for youth who are looking for more of a challenge than typical recreational soccer but do not want to or cannot make the commitment in time or money to playing select soccer. Programs are offered to residents of Dublin, students in the Dublin School District and others as space allows. Currently, programs are offered for boys and girls U-07 (2017 birth year) to U-19 (2005 birth year) to play in the Central Ohio middle tier soccer league: the Central Ohio Premier League(COPL)/Ohio Champions League (OCL).
Why play for Dublin United?
Dublin United is the original "parent-coached" organization in Central Ohio. Dublin United was created with the parent coach and his or her team in mind. Dublin United does not do recreational soccer (the DSL does recreational soccer). Dublin United does not do "professionally coached" select teams (OP, Club Ohio, and other clubs do professionally coached select teams). Dublin United does parent-coached, professionally-assisted teams. That is our focus. That is our mission. The DUSC Board meets regularly with the single objective of providing the best possible experience for its coaches, players and parents.
Who trains the players?
Teams are coached by volunteer coaches, who have received coaching licenses, augmented with professional training provided by Current/former college players, former professional players, other club trainers or other trainers approved by the Dublin United Board.
What type of extra training is included?
In addition to one to three training sessions with a player's team coaching staff, a number of additional training opportunities are available at no additional cost to the player. These opportunities include:
1. Train in professionally-guided sessions during up to four days of the Kickoff Event (held in early August)
2. Train with professional trainers up to eight Mondays in the Fall utilizing trainers from the Dublin United Soccer Club and other entities,
3. Train in professionally-led indoor sessions (up to six indoor sessions over the winter),
4. Train with professional trainers up to six Mondays in the Spring utilizing trainers from the Dublin United Soccer Club and other entities.
5. In addition, we offer up to 16 additional goalkeeper-specific sessions during the year that ANY PLAYER may attend.
This amounts to as many as 40 training sessions led by professional trainers and coaches.
How are teams formed?
Each player is part of the Dublin United Soccer Club and the Club places each player on a team. Ideally, coaches come into Dublin United with a full roster of preferred players. In these cases, the entire team is brought in with the coaching staff. In other cases, Dublin United will accept individual players or parts of teams with or without a coach. Dublin United will attempt to identify coaches as needed for these teams. When a team is formed, it may remain together as long as they so desire. New middle tier teams will be formed by Dublin United using those registrations received on or before June 10, 2023. When feasible, requests for teams will be granted.
What is the schedule like?
Teams in the OCL/COPL play a 10- to 12-game schedule against teams from the northwest/Northeast quadrants of Columbus including Dublin, Powell, Hilliard, Worthington, Marysville, Westerville and other communities within a 20- to 30-minute radius of Dublin. Approximately half of the games will be at home and half will be away. Teams are formed to play both Fall and Spring seasons. Games are played during a 7- to 9-week period and wrap up with a season-ending tournament. Teams practice once or twice per week starting approximately 2 to 4 weeks before each season.
All teams (except U-07 teams) will have the opportunity to play in the Dublin United Champions Cup. The Dublin United Champions Cup is played in Dublin on the high quality fields of Darree Fields Park thanks to the City of Dublin. All teams U-10 and up will also have the opportunity to play in one additional tournament within the state of Ohio. There is a list of pre-approved tournaments that will be included in the base fee paid by participants. In addition, with the DUSC Board approval, teams may participate in other tournaments (for an additional fee) held in the State of Ohio. The Dublin United Board reserves the right to limit the number of tournaments in which its team team can participate.
Are there tryouts?
No, however, Dublin United will hold player evaluations in order to create teams that can successfully compete in leagues in which they play. This may include evaluations that will place players on either Central Ohio Premier League or OCL teams. Dublin United holds player evaluations in Early June for all players. While these evaluations are NOT mandatory for returning players, Dublin United does expect returning players to attend at least one of the evaluations. Players are evaluated based on skill, school and friend preferences and are placed on the appropriate team after evaluating these criteria. These sessions will be held at Avery Park. Dublin United attempts to place every player interested in participating. We may recommend that a player continue to play at the recreational level. In these cases, players are permitted to attend our Monday Foot Skills Training Sessions at no charge. The exact dates and times can be found elsewhere on this Dublin United website.
What are registration fees?
The fee for a complete year (Fall and Spring season) is $695 per player for U-10 and older teams and $575 per player for U-08/U-09 teams. The fee includes all league fees, referee fees (up to 12 games per season -- 10 games for U-07 to U-09 teams), tournament fees (four total tournaments for U-10 and up teams and three tournaments for U-08/U-09 teams), professional training (up to 40 sessions throughout the year including the kickoff event), game uniforms (three jerseys, two pair of socks and a pair of shorts), one practice jerseys, and the kickoff event/team camp which represents the first four practices of the season for most teams. In addition, fees also include a game ball, goalie gloves, and coaching supplies for the team. Players provide their own shoes, shin guards, a soccer ball and water bottle.
When is the deadline to register?
It is strongly recommended that all players register by May 22nd (this date represents the first day of evaluations for all age groups). Players registering after May 26th may not be included in the initial team rosters. Returning players registering after these dates run the risk of not being placed on their prior teams. However, the final registration deadline is June 10th for the Fall 2023/Spring 2024 season. Every effort will be made to place returning players on their returning teams unless they desire to be placed on a different team. After June 4, 2023 a late registration fee/payment fee of $50.00 will apply. All players must provide proof of their age with their registration unless the player is a returning Dublin United player.
All player registrations received will be put on a waiting list and players will be assigned to teams per the Dublin United Board Player Assignment Process. Dublin United reserves the right to turn down players in the event that a team cannot be formed. No assurances can be given that registrations received prior to or after the deadline will result in a player placement. Every attempt will be made to form teams and notify coaches and players of their team assignment or return fees for registrations not accepted/players not placed by July 15, 2023. Additionally, Dublin United will work with the DSL to place any players not placed on a Dublin United team into the DSL league.
What's the refund policy?
Due to the nature of our program, we cannot offer refunds after June 4, 2023. Our fees are set based on full rosters of players participating during both the Fall and the Spring Seasons. We will provide a full refund less a $50 processing fee for all requests received on or before June 4, 2023.
Can I coach?
Click the this link for more information.
Game schedules
The Fall 2023 season runs from late August through mid to late October (dates TBD). The OCL Tournament dates can be found by visiting the OCL website. The Spring 2024 season runs from late March through the weekend before Memorial Day.
OCL/COPL coaches will create their team’s schedule in early July for the Fall 2023 season. If there are dates and times when your child cannot play, let your coach know prior to this meeting. The Spring 2024 season schedules are developed in January and early February.
Practice sessions
The practice dates and times will be decided by each team. Practices may be scheduled at Avery Park and Darree Fields. It is expected that a field practice reservation system for multiple venues (Darree, Avery and more) will be in place by Fall 2023 which will simplify the practice scheduling process. Games are always given priority over practices. In addition, teams may practice at Dublin schools on a first-come, first-served basis.
What team is my child on?
Placement of registrants is dependent on the pool of registrants. Coach’s sons or daughters will be placed on the coach’s team. Requests by parents for specific placements of their child with a coach or friend should be indicated in the space provided on the registration form. Such requests cannot always be granted.
Equipment
All players should have non-metal soccer cleats. Shin guards are mandatory. Each player should have their own ball and water bottle. Additionally, players need to dress appropriately for the weather which may require a sweat shirt and/or pants.
Player safety
No jewelry of any kind may be worn during games or practice--no bracelets, necklaces, earrings or rings. Players may not wear beads, barrettes or other hard/sharp items. Newly pierced ears may not be taped. NO EXCEPTIONS!
How to register online
Complete the registration form online. Payment is expected to be made by check or online credit card by June 4, 2023. Request for fee reductions or waivers need to be sent to the address below. All players will need to provide a copy of a birth certificate or passport for proof of age. All players participating will also be required to provide the appropriate paperwork necessary for player “carding” through USClub Soccer. The Dublin United Carding Coordinator will lead each team through this process.
After you've registered, please complete the following appropriate paperwork.
For more information visit the Dublin United website at www.dublinunited.org.
REGISTRATIONS INCLUDING PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED BY June 4, 2023.
