Q:   What ages do the LA Dragons offer soccer teams/trainings?

A:   Boys and girls, ages 7-8, will usually participate in the Youth Program – Little Dragons—which practices/competes on Mondays and Thursdays during the soccer seasons (both fall and spring).  These practices and games are held entirely at Capitol City Baptist (CCB).  There is no other travel at this level.  Some 8/9-year-olds may join the CASL program, depending on skill level.

All other teams are formed as either co-ed or boys and girls teams as follows:

Ages 9, 10, and 11 will typically compete at their age level (U9, U10, U11, U12) depending on the number of registered players.  These teams will be either co-ed or boys or girls teams, again depending on the number of registered players.  It is very important that everyone registers as early as possible so that we can form the appropriate number of teams for the organization as a whole.  Highly skilled players may request to “play up” – these requests will be looked at in the context of the program as a whole. 

Ages 12 and 13 will typically participate on the Junior High team – broken into boys and girls teams.  This can vary depending on skill level.  In the fall, boys will play other homeschool teams and girls will usually play CASL.  In the spring it is reversed – girls play homeschool teams and boys play CASL. 

Ages 14 and 15 will typically be on the Junior Varsity team and ages 16-18 will typically be placed on the Varsity team.  It is important to note that any high school student of any age can be placed on either Junior Varsity or Varsity, depending on the skill level and program needs.

 

Q:   When is the season?

A:   The boys’ homeschool season runs from August until the end of October.  They also participate in CASL for the spring season. 

The girls’ homeschool season is in the spring.  It typically starts in March (weather permitting) and runs through the beginning of June.   The girls also participate in tournaments (including Nationals) as well as CASL in the fall. 

The younger players play both fall and spring.  Those aged 10-12 participate in CASL. 

 

Q:   When are trainings and games?

A:   Trainings are held at Capitol City Baptist for all teams.  They are usually from 4:30-6:30. Youth teams are usually between 4:30-6:00   Players aged 7-14 will have practices on Mondays and Thursdays.  Varsity and JV teams will practice on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  If there is a game scheduled there will be no practice that day. 

Games for Little Dragons will be during practice times on Mondays and Thursdays. 

Games for CASL teams are usually on weekends, since we try very, very hard to not play on Sundays some games may be switched to weekday nights. 

Games for boys and girls JH JV and Varsity vary each week.  There are no home games or trainings on Wednesdays.  We try very hard to not have any games scheduled on Sundays, but occasionally we cannot avoid it. 

The JH, JV and Varsity will also be participating in tournaments throughout their season.  This typically works out as one for the JH boys, one for the JV boys and four for the Varsity boys (including nationals). 

The girls Varsity team plays in the Nationals tournament in the fall.  In the spring they play in 1-2 local tournament and the Dragons host the Midwest Regionals in early June. 

The boys Varsity team also plays in the Nationals tournament in the fall.  They usually play in a  tournament in Ft Wayne in September and the Dragons host the MI State Tournament in mid October.

 

Q:   What does travel look like for LA Dragons teams?

A:   The Little Dragons will have all games at CCB.  No further travel is involved.

U9, U10, U11 and U12 will be in the CASL league, and their travel will be to local teams in the Lansing area. 

Both boys and girls JH, JV and Varsity will travel to games in Michigan, with most of the travel being to the East and West of the state.  There are opportunities for these teams to also travel to Fort Wayne, IN.  The boys and girls Varsity will also participate in the Homeschool National Soccer Tournament which is currently being held in Chattanooga, TN each October. 

 

Q:   Are the Dragons recreational focused or competitive focused?

A:   The younger Dragons teams are more recreationally focused, with the emphasis on skill building and learning how to play Dragon soccer.  The older teams, (JH and up), while still working on skills, are highly competitive.

 

Q:   What is the cost for the season?

A:   Based on the player’s birth year, here is the cost for the 2023-2024 season: (Please note that the opportunity for discounted rates are available through Early Bird Registration.)

$485 - 2004, 2005, 2006

$435 - 2007, 2008, 2009

$335 - 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

$185 - 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

 

Q:   What is the LA Dragons board and what is their role?

A:   The LA Dragons board is the governing body of the LA Dragons.  It is made of parents who volunteer their time to do their very best to ensure the Dragons are a well-run and efficient organization, and they aim to provide the best experience for all those involved.  New members are nominated and voted in by the current board members.  Their term is one year, with the option to continue if they so desire. 

 

Q:   What are my volunteer hours as the parent of an LA Dragons player?

A:   The LA Dragons is a volunteer organization.  We rely on each family to help our organization run smoothly. It is very important for the success of the program that all parents volunteer. 

Parents of children on the U12 teams and below should make themselves available to help the coaches in any way they can.    

For boys and girls JH, JV and Varsity teams, each family is expected to volunteer 10 hours per player they have on the team.  These volunteer hours can be in various areas such as team parent, tournament set up/clean up, organizing the tournaments hosted by the Dragons, end of season banquet, etc.  A full list can be found in the volunteer section of the registration or from the Board member acting as the volunteer coordinator.

A family can select the buyout option if they choose.  The cost for this is an additional $250.00 per player. 

 

Q:   How do I go about getting a uniform for my player?

A:   All parents are responsible for ordering and picking up their uniform order for their player(s).  It is also important to make sure before ordering that the uniform number you have chosen is not the same number as another teammate’s. 

Boys and girls JH, JV and Varsity uniforms are to be ordered by each family from Moneyball.  The link for ordering is: https://moneyballsportswear.com/la-dragons/

If you are having trouble, just type LA Dragons in the search and the information will come up. 

All JH, JV and Varsity players will need to order a FULL KIT.  The cost is $115.00.  This includes both black and gold jerseys and black shorts as well as black socks. 

U12, U11, U10 and U9 will just need to order the jerseys, if you wish. They can wear black shorts with both jerseys.

Little Dragons  players do not need any jerseys. 

 

Q:   Where do I find Dragons information:

A:   If you have any more questions email ladragons11@gmail.com

You can find the Dragons on Facebook at LA Dragons.

All Dragons teams can be found on SportsEngine.  If you download the SportsEngine app you can see game information as a fan.  Once your child is on a roster you will have access to the team page where schedules, locations and group information is shared.  It is important to be sure the email address you enter on SportsEngine is the same one you used to register your player.  You will be able to add other email addresses (spouse, child, grandparent, etc) so they will be able to receive important updates as well.