Selecting a Soccer Program

Need some help selecting a soccer program?

The first thing to consider when selecting a soccer program, is the age of your player. In soccer, your player's birth year determines their programming level.

Program Level = Years of Birth

U05 = 2020, 2021

U07 = 2018, 2019

U09 = 2016, 2017

U11 = 2014, 2015

U13 = 2012, 2013

U15 = 2010, 2011

U18 = 2007, 2008, 2009

Next, think about the experience that your player will enjoy and what will work best for your family. 

Is this your player's first soccer experience?

Consider: Active Start or Community

Would you prefer for all of the activity to take place in East Hants?

Consider: Active Start or Community

Is your player interested in activity no more than once each week?

Consider: Active Start or Community

Do you want to play games against other clubs?

Consider: Skill Centre or Competitive

Would you prefer for your player to be part of a team with similarity skilled players?

Consider: Skill Centre or Competitive

Are you looking for league play with stats and standings?

Consider: Competitive

At a high-level, the programs can be described as follows (full details here: East Hants Soccer):

Community Soccer

U05 Active Start (birth years 2020, 2021):

• Develop basic movement skills like running, jumping, kicking, throwing, and catching in a fun setting built around informal play and positive reinforcement
• One player and one parent/guardian on the field with them
• Sessions led by Soccer Activity Leaders
• All sessions in the East Hants Sportsplex Soccer Dome

U07 Active Start (birth years 2018, 2019):

• Activities are simple and fun and follow a game-activity-game-activity format.
• Games are 3v3 or 4v4, without goal keepers.
• Groups are small to ensure lots of time with the ball.
• Sessions led by Soccer Activity Leaders
• All sessions in the East Hants Sportsplex Soccer Dome

U09 Community (birth years 2016, 2017):

• No travel, games in East Hants, against other East Hants players only
• Alternating skill night and game night (5v5)
• 1 session per week for 8 weeks
• Sessions led by Soccer Activity Leaders
• All sessions in the East Hants Sportsplex Soccer Dome

 U11 Community (birth years 2014, 2015):

• No travel, games against other East Hants players only
• Alternating skill night and game night (5v5)
• 1 session per week for 8 weeks
• Sessions led by Soccer Activity Leaders
• All sessions in the East Hants Sportsplex Soccer Dome

Skill Centre Soccer

U9 Skill Centre (birth years 2016, 2017):

• Introduction to competitive soccer
• Travel within Metro / Halifax to play teams from other clubs
• Practices 2x/week, from late May to the middle of August
• Practices move from the Soccer Dome to grass in late June
• 10 game weekends, Games are 5v5 on grass
• Parent coaches with club staff supporting

 U11 Skill Centre (birth years 2014, 2015):

•  Introduction to competitive soccer
• Travel within Metro / Halifax to play teams from other clubs Practices 2x/week, from late May to the middle of August
• In late June, practices begin alternating between the Soccer Dome and grass
• 10 game weekends, Games are 7v7 on turf
• Parent coaches with club staff supporting

Competitive Soccer

U13 A or B Competitive (birth years 2012, 2013)

• League play with stats, standings, playoffs, and provincials
• Travel to play teams from other soccer clubs in Nova Scotia
• Practices 2x/week, from mid-May to the middle of August
• Games are 9v9, on turf
• Selection sessions will be held in April

U13 AA Competitive (birth years 2012, 2013)

• League play with stats, standings, and provincials
• Travel to play teams from other soccer clubs in Nova Scotia
• Practices 2-3x/week, from late April to the middle of August
• Games are 9v9, on turf
• Selection sessions will be held the week following March Break
• Boys option only for summer 2025

 U15 A or B Competitive (birth years 2010, 2011)

• League play with stats, standings, playoffs, and provincials
• Travel to play teams from other soccer clubs in Nova Scotia
• Practices 2x/week, from mid-May to the middle of August
• Practices alternate between the Soccer Dome and grass
• Games are 11v11, most on grass

 U18 AA Competitive (birth years 2007, 2008, 2009)

• League play with stats, standings, and provincials
• Travel to play teams from other soccer clubs in Nova Scotia
• Practices 2-3x/week, from late April to the middle of August
• Games are 11v11, on grass and turf
• Selection sessions will be held the week following March Break
• Boys option only for summer 2025

All Programs, fees, dates, times and locations are subject to change.