DC Way Soccer
Shirley Chisholm Elementary School, 1001 G St SE, Washington, DC 20003
About
DC Way Soccer offers a wide range of soccer activities, including Summer Camp, World Cup Summer Camp, Brazilian Way Summer Camp, Preschool Summer Camp, Spring Break Camp, One Day Camp, and Art & Soccer Day Camp. The program also runs Capitol Hill Fall League, Weekly Skills Clinics, Kids Academy, a Challenge Level Program, Adult Skills Clinics, Goalkeeping School, Private Lessons, Soccer Birthday Parties, and After-School Programs such as the After-School Program at Sherwood Rec. Kids Academy includes both soccer sessions and multi-sport sessions, and the After-School Program at Sherwood Rec includes sports, art, and smart/board games.
• Ages: 3–14 years old
• Schedule: Program options run Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm; Preschool Summer Camp runs August 24 to 26 as a three-day session of soccer, art, and active play
DC Way Soccer was founded in 2013 and is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, with more than a decade of experience sharing its love of sports with children. The club is a Capitol Hill-based recreational soccer club that has grown from an after-school soccer program into a lineup of year-round programs for children aged 3–14, including weekday, weekend, and holiday options. Each program is carefully developed and planned, with the head coach considering age, ability, and number of players in each session, and DC Way’s coaches provide a pressure-free environment that covers physical, mental, social-emotional, and communication development. DC Way prioritizes sportsmanship, puts players first, and describes each session as an adventure in learning with engaging drills, fun games, and life lessons.
DC Way’s mission is to help develop the game of soccer in the DC area and bring opportunities for all children to play and enjoy soccer, to develop bright young athletes, and to help children be active and play, all at an affordable cost. DC Way’s vision is to become the preliminary soccer education company in the DC area and to be the best community-enriching youth sports club, and it emphasizes affordability in providing opportunities for children to play soccer. The club aims to be a community-enriching youth sports club by cultivating player and life skills through soccer, involves parents and families in its programs, and works closely with them so everyone feels welcomed and valued. DC Way expresses gratitude for the journey shared with its vibrant community and thanks families for being part of the DC Way family, and Marketing Manager Melis Bayraktaroglu volunteers to help combat chronic homelessness and is involved in various community initiatives.
The leadership team includes Founder & Program Director Denis Chekuristov, Executive Director Roman Kilishek, Marketing Manager Melis Bayraktaroglu, and Manager of Operations Russ Guliyev. Denis holds a National Soccer Coaching License for ages 8–12 and a Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma, grew up training in the Volgar Gazprom FC youth academy system, competed successfully at the collegiate level, and was one of the pioneers of futsal in his hometown of Astrakhan, Russia. Roman has an MBA from George Mason University and a strong background in finance and project management. Melis is a graduate of The George Washington University School of Business with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, a concentration in Marketing, and a minor in Organizational Sciences, and she competed in professional tennis tournaments before joining the varsity tennis team at The George Washington University.
DC Way Soccer is an award-winning recreational soccer club that was recognized as Best Soccer Camp in Washington, DC by the Washington City Paper Reader’s Poll in 2017. The club has won two categories in the Best of D.C. issue: “Best Sports Coach” and “Best Summer Camp.” Founder Denis Chekuristov earned recognition as the Best Sports Coach by Washington City Paper in both 2016 and 2017.
Last updated June 14, 2026.
• Ages: 3–14 years old
• Schedule: Program options run Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm; Preschool Summer Camp runs August 24 to 26 as a three-day session of soccer, art, and active play
DC Way Soccer was founded in 2013 and is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, with more than a decade of experience sharing its love of sports with children. The club is a Capitol Hill-based recreational soccer club that has grown from an after-school soccer program into a lineup of year-round programs for children aged 3–14, including weekday, weekend, and holiday options. Each program is carefully developed and planned, with the head coach considering age, ability, and number of players in each session, and DC Way’s coaches provide a pressure-free environment that covers physical, mental, social-emotional, and communication development. DC Way prioritizes sportsmanship, puts players first, and describes each session as an adventure in learning with engaging drills, fun games, and life lessons.
DC Way’s mission is to help develop the game of soccer in the DC area and bring opportunities for all children to play and enjoy soccer, to develop bright young athletes, and to help children be active and play, all at an affordable cost. DC Way’s vision is to become the preliminary soccer education company in the DC area and to be the best community-enriching youth sports club, and it emphasizes affordability in providing opportunities for children to play soccer. The club aims to be a community-enriching youth sports club by cultivating player and life skills through soccer, involves parents and families in its programs, and works closely with them so everyone feels welcomed and valued. DC Way expresses gratitude for the journey shared with its vibrant community and thanks families for being part of the DC Way family, and Marketing Manager Melis Bayraktaroglu volunteers to help combat chronic homelessness and is involved in various community initiatives.
The leadership team includes Founder & Program Director Denis Chekuristov, Executive Director Roman Kilishek, Marketing Manager Melis Bayraktaroglu, and Manager of Operations Russ Guliyev. Denis holds a National Soccer Coaching License for ages 8–12 and a Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma, grew up training in the Volgar Gazprom FC youth academy system, competed successfully at the collegiate level, and was one of the pioneers of futsal in his hometown of Astrakhan, Russia. Roman has an MBA from George Mason University and a strong background in finance and project management. Melis is a graduate of The George Washington University School of Business with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, a concentration in Marketing, and a minor in Organizational Sciences, and she competed in professional tennis tournaments before joining the varsity tennis team at The George Washington University.
DC Way Soccer is an award-winning recreational soccer club that was recognized as Best Soccer Camp in Washington, DC by the Washington City Paper Reader’s Poll in 2017. The club has won two categories in the Best of D.C. issue: “Best Sports Coach” and “Best Summer Camp.” Founder Denis Chekuristov earned recognition as the Best Sports Coach by Washington City Paper in both 2016 and 2017.
Last updated June 14, 2026.
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