Evanston AYSO EXTRA Program Information
AYSO EXTRA is Competitive Travel Soccer within AYSO – at a modest price in comparison to Club Soccer. EXTRA Program Players are on a regular Core AYSO Team and the EXTRA Team. EXTRA adheres to the same principles as the Core (standard) AYSO program, plus offers greater competition and additional opportunities for player development. EXTRA teams have well trained, experienced volunteer coaches, and practices are led by paid professional trainers, and a year-long program (Fall, Winter, and Spring). Tryouts for EXTRA are held each Spring for the following Fall-Spring season.
Overview
- EXTRA is a tryout-based program and no player is guaranteed to make the squad. Even current players have to try out again each year.
- Players in the AYSO EXTRA Program play on two teams - their Core AYSO team as well as the EXTRA (travel) team.
- EXTRA teams play in a league against other AYSO EXTRA teams in the northern Chicagoland area. In EXTRA we keep score and standings; and hold a season ending tournament.
- EXTRA games are held in Evanston or other nearby locations such as Glenview, Highland Park, North Chicago, or Winnetka.
- EXTRA has a winter league at the Quad, with weekly practice sessions at the Quad.
- EXTRA adheres to the same principles as the Core AYSO program, including Everyone Plays, plus offers greater competition and additional opportunities for player development. All EXTRA players play at least half of all EXTRA games – not “starters” and “subs.”
- EXTRA is led by dedicated volunteers doing it for love of the game and love of their kids, but also utilizes paid professional soccer trainers.
- We will have at least one boys and one girls team at U10 and at U12 as long as enough players are interested. If we have sufficient qualified, interested players we may add a second team in one or more division.
Eligibility
- AYSO EXTRA plays in two year divisions - 10U (9U and 10U combined) and 12U (11U and 12U combined). There is a boys team and a girls team for each age division. Age ranges for the divisions are as follows for 2024-25 Season:
- 10U (aka U10) = born in 1/1/2015 - 12/31/2016
- 12U (aka U12) = born in 1/1/2013 - 12/31/2014
Time Commitment
- The EXTRA schedule includes Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons. The Fall and Spring schedule mostly follows the Core schedule. The Winter season typically runs early January till early March and is held at the Quad.
- During Fall and Spring, EXTRA Teams have 2 practices per week and play one game on Sundays, usually at 5:30 PM. Practices are scheduled based on coach and field availability. A professional trainer will be present in at least one practice session. During the Winter (January-March), the teams have one practice and one game each week.
- EXTRA players are expected to attend practices and games with their Core AYSO team. Players are required to make at least 50% of their Core AYSO team games.
- In total, a player in AYSO EXTRA has 2 soccer games a week (both Sunday) and 2-3 practices – a comparable amount of soccer as joining a club team.
- At the end of the Spring season there is an end-of-year tournament. The first set of games typically happens on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. The semi finals and finals are typically held on the Sunday that follows.
Cost
- The estimated fee for 2024-2025 is $750 plus uniform costs. Scholarship funds are available, and payments plans can be offered.
- The fee covers Fall, Winter and Spring and includes:
- Weekly games on Sundays (Fall & Spring)
- Bi-weekly practice sessions with the Coach (Fall & Spring)
- Weekly practice sessions with the professional trainers (Fall & Spring)
- Weekly practice sessions at the Quad (November - March)
- Weekly Winter league games at the Quad (January - March)
- End-of-year tournament.
- EXTRA players must also be registered for the Core program and pay the Core fee.
- EXTRA players will also need to purchase an EXTRA uniform kit directly from soccer.com (more details will be provided in June):
- Required items: Jersey, shorts, and socks: ~$45
- Optional items: Team backpack: $40; training shirts: ~$15 each.
Questions?
Email Evanston AYSO EXTRA Program Coordinators at [email protected]