Core Program Information

Core Program

Our Core Program provides a recreational soccer experience for kids where everyone plays. The Core program is the foundation of our organization. Our focus is on positive coaching, player development, good sportsmanship, and having fun.

How to Register

Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 Season

Registration covers a full year. Teams stay the same in the fall and spring.

Sunday Game Dates:
Fall: September 8, 2024 to November 3, 2024
Spring: April 6, 2025 to June 8, 2025 (tentative), no 5U-12U Core games Memorial Day weekend
Practices for 8U and older teams start 1-2 weeks before games.

Program Components

Game on Sunday

Each team plays one game per week on Sunday afternoon. All players play at least half of each game, usually more; players have even playing time across the season.

5U/6U: Play at Kamen Park; games start between 12:30 and 4:15.
8U/10U: Play at parks around Evanston. 8U games start between 12:30 and 4:15. 10U games start from 12:30-3.
12U: Play at parks around Evanston. 12UG may also play at Skokie and Rogers Park. 12U games start from 12:30 or 1:45.
14U/19U: Play in the AYSO Area 6D Inter-Regional (IR) Program. Teams play home games usually at Crown Community Center and play away games in Chicago, Skokie, Deerfield, Highland Park, Winnetka-Glencoe, and other locations in north Chicagoland. Games typically start between 1pm and 3pm, but the schedule varies.

We cannot accommodate requests for specific time slots on Sunday. Your team will play at the same time all season, but you won't know the specific time until the schedule is released a few weeks before game start. We are constrained by field availability and coaching conflicts.

When a division plays at multiple times, we can usually meet requests from coaches for a specific time slot, especially for those coaches with multiple kids.

Practice

The 5U and 6U teams only meet once per week on Sundays for a combined practice and game session. No additional practice during the week.

8U and older teams have a practice session during the week; 14U/19U teams have two practices. Practices are typically on a week night, but sometimes on the weekend. Coaches determine the practice schedule and location based on their availability (a perk of volunteering!). Practices may be at a different location than games but are all held in Evanston.

Practice schedules are not available until teams are formed in late summer. Players cannot switch teams based on practice schedules; coaches can assist players in finding other teams to practice with if they are unavailable during their team's scheduled time. If you are concerned about scheduling conflicts, we encourage you to volunteer as coach, referee, or team parent to be able to set the practice schedule for your team.

Divisions

Players born from 2005-2019 are eligible to play in the 2023-2024 season. Player divisions are based primarily on the calendar year of their birth, not their year in school. Most ages play in 2-year divisions.

Birth Date	Division
2020	5U
2019	6U
9/1/2018-12/31/2018*	6U Contact [email protected] to opt into 8U instead (before 7/31/24)
1/1/2018-8/31/2018 2017	8U
2016 2015	10U
2014 2013	12U
2012 2011 9/1/2010-12/31/2010 (kids who will be in 8th grade are welcome to stay in 14U)	14U
2010 2009 2008 2007 2006	19U

For 8U and older divisions are split into “B” (primarily boys, gender diverse players welcome) and “G” (primarily girls, gender diverse players welcome). See the FAQ for more information on registering a gender diverse player.

* Kids born in the fall of 2018 who are generally starting Kindergarten in Fall 2024 will be assigned to 6U by default. We've found that the challenge of starting Kindergarten and playing soccer with kids who are mostly larger and older than them is particularly tough for this age group. Kids who are more experienced with soccer, have stronger physical skills and coordination, or are tall for their age may have a better experience in 8U where kids this age have typically played in the past. Contact [email protected] by July 31, 2024 to request your kid be placed in 8U instead.

Uniforms and Equipment

Players each need a uniform for games. For 2024-2025, we will be using the same uniforms as the past 2 years. Players with an existing uniform that fits do not need a new one.

Information on purchasing a uniform and other equipment.

Parent/Caregiver Expectations

AYSO is a volunteer organization. Parents/caregivers who do not volunteer as a coach, team parent, referee, or board member (no prior experience needed for volunteer roles) are expected to help by setting up or taking down goals, volunteering to organize equipment distributions, or helping with other requests from coaches and the league.

We ask adults and spectators to abide by the AYSO Kids Zone pledge and Parent Pledge to help keep a fun and positive atmosphere for all.

AYSO Parents Pledge

In my words and action, I pledge to:

Attend and participate in team parent meetings as requested.
Be on time or early when dropping off or picking up my child for training or a game.
Ensure my child is supported and encouraged by family or loved ones at games.
Encourage my child to have fun and keep sport in its proper perspective.
Define winning for my child as doing his/her very best and appreciate Development over Winning.
Endeavor to understand the Laws (rules) of soccer and support the efforts of referees.
Honor the game and show respect for all involved including coaches, players, opponents, spectators and referees.
Applaud and encourage players from both teams and not yell out instructions (as this causes confusion to the players and ultimately hinders development).
Refrain from making negative comments about the game, coaches, referees or players, especially from the sidelines.
Encourage others to refrain from negative or abusive sideline behavior.
As parents, keep the game in perspective for our children (as a pastime, sport, fun, exercise).
Abide by the tenets of Kids Zone for appropriate sideline behavior and support AYSO’s vision to enrich children’s lives.

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How to Register

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Everyone Plays!