WarCats Soccer Club connects Weston, Wayland

Generations of Weston and Wayland athletes have competed against each other over the years in youth and high school sports. Now, youth soccer players from the neighboring towns are getting the chance to play together for a new club program – The WarCats.

Founded in 2025, WarCats Soccer Club offers a chance for Weston and Wayland youth to play even more soccer, competing against other club teams from around the state.

Co-Director Chris DiCecca said the youth club soccer landscape often requires lots of financial, time and travel investment from families. WarCats is meant to offer high-level coaching and instruction without the stress club soccer can come with.

After starting with five teams in its inaugural season, 16 WarCats teams will take the field this season. Teams start at the second grade level and continue through seventh grade.

“We thought we could supplement our town program with additional soccer opportunities,” said DiCecca, who coaches one of the WarCats girls teams, along with his directing responsibilities. “We pride ourselves on high-quality development right in your backyard.”

DiCeccasaid travel can weigh on players and families and that youth soccer should be about children enjoying themselves playing the game.

“When we give them the parameters of learning, it empowers them to love the sport, grow the sport and play on their own,” DiCecca said. “We’re trying to find an emphasis on bringing the joy to the game back and helping kids fall in love with it.”

It was a successful first year for the WarCats on the field, with multiple teams finishing close to the top of their respective divisions.

“These are soccer towns,” said DiCecca. “In the Metro Boston area there are a lot of high-quality soccer players.”

In the coming years, DiCecca said he believes that the Warcats program will eventually help lead to stronger high school teams at Weston and Wayland high schools.

The program is also helping foster new friendships between players who might not have gotten the chance to meet in the past.

“It’s the community expansion,” said DiCecca. “They may be rivals in high school sports, but they’re right next door. Kids from Weston and Wayland are connecting, and acting as if they have known each other for years. It’s definitely opening new doors, and it’s cool to see because some will play against one another at the high school level.”

Last season, about three quarters of the WarCats players were from Weston. After the huge expansion going into this season, it is now closer to an even split between Weston and Wayland players.

After a boost in participation between seasons, DiCecca sees the program continuing to grow in the future, saying he believes the WarCats could surpass fielding 25 teams in the future.