Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How old must my child be in order to play?
A. A child must be 4 years old by July 31st in order to play
soccer in the fall.
Q. What age group will my child be in?
A. The cutoff date for all age groups is July 31st. For example,
if your child has an August birthday and is 7 years old on July 31st,
your child will play in the U8 (Under 8) age group. If your child is 8
years old on July 31st, he or she will be placed in the U10 (Under 10) age
group.
Q. What are the age groups?
A. The age groups, or brackets, are U5, U6, U8, U10, U12, U14,
U16, and
U19.
Q. What is the cost per player?
A. The early registration cost per player is $85.00. This includes a uniform
(shirt, shorts, and socks), registration with AYSO National, supplemental
accident insurance coverage, a team picture, a basic picture package, and a trophy.
After June 30 the registration fee is $105.
Q. Is $85.00 all I will have to pay?
A. No. AYSO Region 24 asks each player to sell a box of
candy. This fundraiser helps the region to meet the
costs of providing a fun and competitive program for all of the kids and
families. If you cannot participate in the candy
fundraiser, there is an additional $25 added to the registration
fees. In addition, each team is asked to find a sponsor for
$200.00.
The contribution for the team sponsor is tax
deductible.
Q. Do I have to volunteer?
A. Yes. AYSO is made up entirely of volunteers from the
community. There are several jobs at the team and region level; some of which
include coaches, referees, team parents, event coordinators, and others.
Training classes will be made available as the season draws nearer. The
Region has
done everything possible to make these jobs as simple and
enjoyable as possible so that the focus of the season remains on the kids.
Q. When does the season start?
A. Practices can begin in August. Because this is a busy time of
year for many families, including those of coaches, you may not hear from
your coach until the third week in August. However, you will receive an
update on your child's registration and team status during the first week of
August. The first game is played on the second Saturday in September (the
weekend following Labor Day).
Q. Where are the practices and games?
A. Practices and games may be at any of the local parks or
schools in our Region. Once a practice site is set for your team, it
normally will not change for the remainder of the season. Schools and
parks that are used by our region include Griffiths, East, West
and Sussman Middle Schools, as well as Rio San Gabriel and
Independence
Parks.
Q. When are the practices and games?
A. Practices are normally twice a week on a Mon - Wed, or Tue -
Thu schedule. Times have traditionally been from 4 - 5 pm, or 5 - 6
pm. All regular season games are on Saturdays and start times vary from
8 am to 4 pm.
Q. What type of equipment will I need to purchase for my child?
A. You will need to purchase a pair of shinguards and soccer
cleats for your child. Shinguards must be worn at all practices and games
in order to help provide safety for the kids. Soccer cleats are different
than baseball or football cleats and most sporting good stores will have
several types to choose from.
Q. What size soccer ball should I buy?
A. Please refer to the following chart.
Age Group
| Ball Size:
U19, U16, U14 | Size 5
U12, U10 | Size 4
U8, U6, U5
| Size 3
Q. How do I get my child onto a "good" team?
A. AYSO uses both a computer program and the experience of our
coaches to make sure that all teams are balanced as much as possible. Each
team should have an even mix of more experienced and less experienced
players. This system benefits all of the families in the Region while allowing
the more experienced players to focus on leadership, strategy, and team
play while allowing the less experienced players to gain a better
understanding of the game and the skills necessary to succeed.
Q. My child's best friend lives next door. Can they be on the
same team?
A. Everyone has a friend or two that they would like
to have on the same team and we realize that for younger kids this can be a big
concern. With that in mind, we do try and put a first time player with a
friend in the U6 and U5 age groups. However, we cannot guarantee that this will
occur because of the number of kids involved and the priority of
balanced teams.
Q. How can I register?
A. The easiest
way is to register online at
www.eayso.org, then print three (3) copies, and bring them
(with proof of birthdate if new player), a check for the
registration fee, and come to one of our several open
registration dates posted on the Calendar in our website. If you have specific questions related to registration,
contact our Registrars Marie
Sa-Valdez (Boys) or
Maria VIllasenor (Girls).
Q. What if I have more questions?
A. If you have a more specific question please e-mail the
registrar at the e-mail address listed on the contact page.
Downey AYSO Region 24 is focused on providing a program
that is
competitive, fun, and fair. We expect parents to act as role
models not
only for their own child but for all children in the Region.
Derogatory
comments aimed at players, coaches, or referees will not be
tolerated and may result in a temporary or permanent suspension from the
Region.
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