OUR PROGRAM

First and foremost, AYSO provides a recreational soccer program for children ages 3 through 18. AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) is a national non-profit organization with almost 600,000 registered players and 200,000 registered volunteers. It delivers programs through individual units called Regions. UPLAND is Region 32. The Regions are grouped into Areas and Sections. Upland belongs to Area 1-G, the other regions of which are in Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fontana and Rosena Ranch. Area G in turn is part of Section 1, which covers Los Angeles County, the Inland Empire all the way to Nevada, as well as parts of Nevada. In Upland, our program has approximately 1,500 players and operates in a regular season that begins in August and ends in mid-December. Although we play in Upland, we accept registrations no matter where you live.

AYSO is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to AYSO, including to Region 32, are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to AYSO to support our programs, including scholarships for players whose families need some financial help, visit our donations page. Our taxpayer identification number is 95-6205398. Note that registration fees and other payments for players are NOT tax-deductible.

AYSO PHILOSOPHIES

AYSO was founded on five philosophies (to which a sixth was added) which affect every aspect our program.

They are:

• Everyone Plays!
• Open Registration
• Balanced Teams
• Positive Coaching
• Good Sportsmanship
• Player Development

"Positive coaching" and "Good Sportsmanship" speak for themselves, but here is some additional information on the others:

"Everyone Plays" means that every player on every team must receive a guaranteed amount of playing time. The national minimum is half the game, but in our Region we require a minimum of three quarters, with some exceptions.

"Open Registration" means that we accept every player who registers, provided we have space in the relevant age group. Although we evaluate players, the only reason we do this is to assure "Balanced Teams" by assigning players to teams that we strive to make as even as we can.

"Balanced Teams" are not so important when the children are 4, 5, 6 and 7, but once they reach the age of 8 years old, they are playing on larger teams and fields and balance becomes critical. The result is that, at this age, we generally do not grant or even consider requests for players to play together or to be assigned to a particular coach. Teams are put together every year and they do not continue on from one year to the next.

"Player Development" means that we emphasize development of age-appropriate technical and tactical skills and pure love of the game rather than winning at all costs. We want our players to improve through practice and opportunity to learn from committed coaches whose primary goal is to help players to get better.

We make up our teams afresh each year and we try our best to balance them. Once players are in 10U the teams are drafted by the coaches. 

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

At the regional level, AYSO is an ALL-VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. All of our coaches, team administrators, program administrators – everyone is a volunteer. Unlike Little League or basketball, we do not pay referees – they too are volunteers. Participation in AYSO cannot be made conditional on your volunteering but, unless nearly everyone volunteers to do something, we would not be able to function. We offer extensive training programs for all our volunteers, especially coaches and referees.

Our policy is to require teams to provide at least two volunteers to train and participate as referees. Your child's team may be ineligible for the playoffs if your team does not provide referees to the program.

TEAMS, GAMES AND PRACTICES

Games start March 2, 2024 and last games is April 27, 2024 There will be no games on April 6, 2023.

Teams are divided into groupings by age called divisions. Age is determined by birth year. A full listing of our divisions and age groups is listed on the website.

U16/U19 divisions are combined during the spring. They will possibly play some games in Fontana.

Every team also has 1-2 practices a week depending on age group (except for the very youngest Scottie Pups). Practices will take place on a fixed day and time each week. These times are assigned to teams based on the coaches request after the teams have been formed. There is no way to put you on a team based on practices days since teams are formed before practice days and times are set. If you need your child to practice on specific days and times you would need to volunteer to coach to get the days and times you want.

WHERE DO WE PLAY?

All of our games and practices take place at Cabrillo Park in Upland.

Games are every Saturday for 8 weeks (except Scottie Pups).

Upper division games are played in Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana and Ontario.

REGISTRATION AND FEES

We start registering players for the Fall Season in spring. Registration is done on-line and once divisions are full players will be able to register on the wait list. Players will be contacted via the account email when removed from the wait list.

Our fees include a uniform - jersey, shorts and socks - you must buy shinguards, shoes (sneakers OK but everyone wants to play in cleats) and a ball.

To receive a full refund minus the national fee and service fees you must drop your child 30 days before the first game of the season.