Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What service does District Sports provide if I join a league?

A: We are comparable to a travel agency or a cruise director. We organize everything you need to play, but then it is up to you to use the space organized for you, play the sport and have a good time. We organize all the players into teams, process on-line registrations, acquire public space field permits on your behalf, schedule independent referees from one of the many DC area associations for you, request happy hour specials from local restaurants on your behalf and supply the field equipment required to participate in the sport. Actual public space permits, game cancellations due to field or facility closures, conduct of games, number of games, and quality of play is really up to the league itself and mother nature.

Q: The referee at my last game was terrible…can you fire them?

A: District Sports provides only the service of organized sports.  Referees are not employees of District Sports but are independent contractors and members of the Metropolitan Washington Soccer Referee Association or DC Sports and Recreation Association who assign them to games. Each association has standards for refs that are in line with certification required for the particular sport. We are happy to pass on specific complaints to the association. The feedback helps grade the referees for future assignments. Any gross negligence or inappropriate behavior should be reported immediately. For these reasons we can ask that a particular referee not be assigned to District Sports games.

Q: Is District Sports a non-profit?

A: District Sports does retail on-line sales, on-line sports registration processing and organizes sports leagues. District Sports itself is not set up as a non-profit. However, the actual conduct of games at the field or facility is done by DC Sports and Recreation Association or Metropolitan Washington Soccer Referee Association (MWSRA). Both of these entities are non-profit.  MWSRA is a registered non-profit in Maryland and DC Sports and Recreation Association is a registered non-profit in DC. The associations conduct the games, keep time, keep score and as required set-up and clean up the field or facility.

Q: I see registration is closing 2 weeks from now so I am just going to wait to the last day to register my team or myself to play. Is that OK?

A: Probably not. Historically, we are only able to place about 1% of those players or teams that register on the last day of registration. Generally we close registration earlier than the date posted on the website because all leagues have a player cap. Registration is first come first serve.

Q: Does District Sports registration include insurance?

A: Yes and No. We require every player to be 21 or older and sign a waiver that play is at the risk of the individual. Participant medical insurance is not supplied for players. You should acquire medical insurance prior to participating in a District Sport event. Individual Medical Insurance is very reasonably priced for as little as $50/month for high deductibles and $150/month for some great coverage.

   We do provide the league non-participant liability insurance. This basically covers you against accidental damage or injury to a non-participant that the league is found liable for. So if you kick a stray ball into a spectator and they are injured, then you are insured. Whew!  That’s good!

Q: I really want to play, are there any teams that need players?

A: District Sports offers two types of registrations, individual and team registration. If you register as an individual we place you on a team of other individual registrations when possible. In the event we can’t place you on a team you will receive a full refund. If registration is closed then we can put you on the waitlist. E-mail waitlist@districtsports.com any time registration is closed to be considered later for a team.  Note that open registration for individuals and teams is first come first serve. The earlier you register the better chance you have of getting placed on a team. Generally registration opens 60-90 days prior to season start and closes 30 days prior to season start.

Q: I am on the waitlist. Now what?

A: Once on the waitlist there are two ways you can get on a team.

1) A team captain who registered a team request players from the waitlist. In this case we will put you in touch with the team captain and it will be his/her choice to place you on the team or not. They will also set the terms (fee) for joining the team. In this case the team captain has already paid a large team fee and will be seeking reimbursement from players recruited. Generally, this will be cheaper since team fees offer a discount to players.

2) We have players that are needed on our teams made up of individual registrations. In this case we contact you via e-mail or phone and give you instructions on how to register as an individual. Timeline is usually pretty tight. 24-48 hours to register.

Q: A few of my friends and I want to play together on a team. Should we register as a team or as individuals?

A: If it is just a couple of you then the registration form has a place to fill in requested teammates. As long as you all fill in each other or at least one common name then you will be placed on the same team. If you and your friend make up over 50% of team then you should register by having one person be the captain and pay the team fee. District Sports can help you fill in the rest of the team. If you come up short players before the season start we will reimburse you for taking on players from our individual registrations.

Q: I want to be a team captain and I think I have enough people, but I don’t want to front that high team fee. What should I do?

A: You are all welcome to register as individuals if you want. Just have everyone register on the website and put down a common team name or team captain name. Note that registration deadlines still apply. Additionally most leagues fill up well before the registration deadline so everyone should register as close to the same time as possible and as early in the registration period as possible.

Q: I registered as an individual and I have not heard from a team captain? What team am I on?

A: We put together teams as soon as possible and pass that roster to the team captains. We also post team rosters on team pages on the website at the same time. We ask team captains to contact everyone within 10 days of league start. This is usually done via mass e-mail to the entire roster. Occasionally, spam blockers, or wrong e-mail addresses cause problems. So if you have not heard from a Team Captain and it is within 10 days of your first game then please contact District Sports at info@districtsports.com ASAP! 

Q: I registered as an individual and now I am going to the other side of the world to hang out with Jimmy Buffet and feed homeless monkeys. Can I get a refund?

A: Registration is non-refundable. We hold a spot in the league for you and turn away hundreds of players (honestly hundreds). We also do all the work of organizing the league and ordering your equipment upfront. About 2 weeks before the first game the service that District Sports provides is 95% complete.

Q: How can I volunteer for one of District Sports community support programs?

A: Please e-mail volunteer@districtsports.com and let us know your interest.

Q: How do I register a team?

A: The team captain registers the team and pays the team fee. No need to submit a roster with team registration. A league coordinator will contact you and give you wavier forms, a roster template and set up your team webpage. A deadline will be set for the turn in of all waivers and final roster. Generally, it will be about 2 weeks before the first game.

Waiver forms will need to be signed by all team players and faxed to District Sports in one fax that includes the entire team’s waivers.

Q: I really want to talk to someone to ask a bunch of questions. I called the game hotline and it was just voicemail. Who can I call?

A: This is hobby for most of us at District Sports and we work regular day jobs. We respond best to e-mail and will get back to you within 24hours. Just e-mail us and ask to talk to someone and we will call you in the evening or weekend to answer your questions.

Q: I have a product that I want to sell or an event that I want to promote. How can I reach District Sports players?

A: District Sports can offer you advertising on our website, on field banners, and team shirts for a fee. We can also promote your event via e-mail to our players. However, we will only allow advertisers that we believe benefits our players and that offers you a good return on advertising investment.

Q: I heard that some of the registration fees are used for community support. Is this true? What support?  And how much of my fees are used?

A:  Actually, only a small amount of your fees are used to support community or youth programs. The majority of the fee is used for referees and field permits. Generally, every league is tied to a specific community program that is either associated by type of sport or location of playing field. We strive not to just write a check to an organization, but to give a helping hand implementing with volunteers and paid manpower support. Occasionally we offer direct financial support to very executable and well-organized programs.

Q: How many players can be on a team?

A: It depends on the league. Please download and read the rules for that sports and league.

Q: What is the gender rule for the sport I am interested in?

A: It depends on the league. Please download and read the rules for that sports and league.

Q: I saw some teams with sponsor information on the shirts. How can our team get sponsored and does it reduce our fee?

A: We encourage all teams to get sponsors to reduce team fees. District Sports can print your sponsor’s logo on team shirts for about $4.00 per shirt. (ask for current quote from info@districtsports.com ). Just charge your sponsor over that so you can subsidize your team fee.  However, District Sports also gets league sponsors and will have text or logos printed on team shirts. Unfortunately, this does not directly make your particular team’s fee lower, but it does help keep all fees reasonable.

Q: District Sports fees are higher then the other league I used to play in. Why?

A: It might be because of one or a combination of the following reasons....but we hope we are on par:

1)  Our leagues are only in DC and we pay a per hour rental fee for all DC Parks and Recreation fields ($39 per hour + $25 per hour for lights) and DC Public Schools Fields (up to $95 per hour). Occasionally we are able to direct rental fees of DC Public School fields directly to the school. (A good example is the Garrison Elementary after school soccer program). Fields in MD and/or VA are either free or a lower cost per hour.

2)  Our league supplies some type of uniforms for players.

3)  Our leagues supplies referees for all leagues with the exception of Ultimate Frisbee. Referees for Frisbee would not be in the “spirit of the game”.

4)  We have yet to develop solid sponsors for most leagues that help reduce fees. We are working on this and any help is appreciated.

5)  We use a small portion of fees to support community programs. Most of which you can volunteer and help out with.

6)  We use on-line registration. The credit card processing companies and paypal rob all of us blind.

any other questions?  e-mail info@districtsports.com