AYSO Region 1187 offers many different soccer prrograms for all skill levels and ages. Currentlym we are proud to provide our community with the following:
- Primary Soccer Season (Summer/Fall)
- Winter Select Season (Winter)
- Elite (Year Long)
- Tiny Kickers (U5)
- VIP (Very Important Player)
- Tournaments
- The 6 AYSO Philosophies
Primary Soccer Season
This is our Summer/Fall season. Registration for the Fall Program occurs from late March through May. The AYSO Primary program is open to all children ages 5 through 18 as of July 31 of the current year. Practice for the fall program begins August 1st. Games begin after the Labor Day weekend, and conclude in earliy November. The older divisions (Under-10 and older) conclude their season with the Area 2-C Tournament of Champions in mid-November.
Select Season
The Select Season is an "all-star" program open only to players who participate in the Fall Program. This is an opportunity for players to improve their skills in a more competitive environment. The teams are formed in November / December following the Fall season. Practices start in December. The season typically runs from January through March. Many teams will continue to participate in tournaments afterwards.
Elite Program
The purpose of the Elite program is to establish a competitive program within American Canyon and the surrounding area, thus increasing the retention of American Canyon Soccer players who are looking to play at a higher level. The Elite teams will be established with the goal of continued player development in a competitive atmosphere. The intent is to provide the player with a higher level training regimen as well as playing against stronger competition.The Elite teams will follow AYSO philosophy that each player will have at least 50% playing time.
Tiny Kickers
The Tiny Kicker (Under 5) program is to provide young players and their parents with a “pressure free” introduction to the beautiful and simple game of soccer. This is a Parent-and-Me program, instructed by our Coach Instructor. At this age, players should be exposed to soccer by playing simple, fun activities and games that require little to no practice, and a minimal time commitment. Tiny Kickers is offered in the fall.
VIP
The AYSO VIP (Very Important Players) Program provides a quality soccer experience for children and adults whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams. VIP is offered in the fall. VIP teams may include:
- Blind or visually impaired
- Amputees or with conditions that impair mobility
- Mentally or emotionally challenged
- Autistic
- Down syndrome
- Cerebral Palsy
Tournaments
Region 1187 does offer tournament play for U10 and older teams for the following programs:
- Primary (End Of Season Area and Section Tournaments)
- Select (End Of Season Area and Section Tournaments)
- Elite (Area and Section Tournaments as well as several targeted tournaments)
- VIP (End Of Season Area and Section Tournaments)
- National Games
The Six AYSO Philosophies
AYSO's philosophies are living tenets that separate it from other sports organizations. They are Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship and Player Development.
Everyone Plays®
Our program's goal is for kids to play soccer so we mandate that every player on every team must play at least 50% of every game. It’s no fun to spend the game on the bench…and that’s no way to learn soccer!
Balanced Teams
Each year we form new teams as evenly balanced as possible because it’s more fun and a better learning experience when teams of similar ability play. It allows for each player to gain the experience of a wide variety of teammates of different skill levels.
Open Registration
Our program is open to all children between 4 and 19 years of age who want to register and play soccer. Interest and enthusiasm are the only criteria for playing. There are no elimination try-outs and nobody gets cut.
Positive Coaching
Encouragement of player effort provides for greater enjoyment for the players and leads to better-skilled and better-motivated players. A coach can be one of the most influential people in a child’s life, so AYSO requires they create a positive experience for every boy and girl.
Good Sportsmanship
We strive to create a positive environment based on mutual respect rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude, and our program is designed to instill good sportsmanship in every facet of AYSO.
Player Development
We believe that all players should be able to develop their soccer skills and knowledge to the best of their abilities, both individually and as members of a team, in order to maximize their enjoyment of the game.