Providing world class youth soccer programs that enrich children's lives.

Register Now for Summer/Fall '24 and Winter/Spring '25!

Regional Refund Policy

The local Region 1625 refund policy was approved 6/11/2019 by the regional board, and is on file with the AYSO National Office.

Policy or Guideline 1.0 Player Registration - Registration Fee Refund Policy

Player registration fee will be fully refunded up to the second Saturday game of the season if requested and the player has not attended any practices or games. Other full or partial refunds may be considered for hardship and will be based upon participation and timing of request. This does not include the national fees, if applicable.

What AYSO 1625 Parents Should Know

On behalf of your AYSO 1625 Regional Board of Directors, we are glad you are part of our region! Whether you are new to our club or veteran parents, I hope this letter provides you with the answers to the questions you may have.

Seasons
AYSO 1625 plays a full fall season and a full spring season in a given membership year. In addition, we host indoor skill sessions and 3v3 sessions in the winter, and arrange for professional soccer camps to come in to our area during the summer, and make those camps accessible to our players and families.

Weather and practices, games
Unlike some other sports, soccer generally practices and plays games regardless of the weather. In both spring and fall seasons, there will be practices where it is cold and/or rainy or snowy. We practice anyways in the weather, so please plan to have your player at practice dressed appropriately for the weather. We may cancel if there is a severe weather advisory; your division leader or coach will communicate any practice or game cancellations or changes to you.  Lightning - whenever lightning or thunder is active all players, parents, and volunteers MUST clear the field.  Play or practice may resume after 30 minutes without lightning.

Practices
All age groups practice on Tuesdays at 6pm at the Marshall Opportunity High School, 225 E Watson St in Albion. 8U and older divisions also practice on Thursdays; the 6U division does not. We start fall practices the last two weeks of August, and Spring practices the last two weeks of March.

Games
All games are on Saturday, and each season there are six Saturdays of games. All games for 6U and 8U are at the Marshall Opportunity High School in Albion. 10U and older divisions typically play half of their games at home and half of their games away. 6U games start at 11am each Saturday. 8U games start at 9am each Saturday. 10U and older games are generally at either 9am, 1030am, 12pm, or 130pm.

Game Day
The general soccer policy is that practices are held and games will be played in rain or shine. It is up to the individual parents to decide on the appropriate dress for the child based on the weather of the day. Everyone is well aware that weather in Michigan is very unpredictable and you should be prepared for anything. Coaches will communicate practice cancellations. The only people authorized to cancel or suspend a game are the field referee, Regional Commissioner or Safety Director. Coaches will be notified of any cancellations, and are responsible for relaying that information on to their teams. These cancellations will also be broadcast through the email capability on this website as well as our facebook page, www.facebook.com/ayso1625 (make sure to ‘like’ the page and click the button for notifications)

Proper Dress for Game Day

1. Each player must be dressed as follows:
   a. Issued jersey, black socks, black shorts, shin guards. (Shin guards must be worn under the sock)
   b. Regulation soccer shoes, gym shoes or sneakers. Soccer cleats must be rubber and MAY NOT have a toe cleat. Metal cleats and toe cleats will not be allowed.
2. In the event of inclement or cold weather additional clothing may be worn under the issued uniform. Compression, thermal underwear or sweat pants are all acceptable clothing that can be worn under the issued clothing. Hooded sweatshirts are allowed, but the hood must be tucked in under the jersey. Players not attired in proper uniform will not be allowed to play until they are properly dressed.
3. The player cannot wear jewelry of any kind; piercing, bracelets, wristwatches, necklaces, or sunglasses. There are no exceptions, even for "new earrings". No player may play with a splint or cast. Prescription glasses are allowed. Soft knee braces are allowed.
4. Shin guards are MANDATORY. Goalies may wear soft knee or elbow pads. Baseball caps may not be worn. Long hair must be pulled back and tied. No hard barrettes or other decorative hair items are allowed. Soft headbands may be worn.

Ball Size
Size 3 - 6U & 8U
Size 4 - 10U & 12U
Size 5 - 14U and older

Parents and Volunteers are the Lifeblood of our Youth Soccer Program
1. Please remember that whether this is your first child participating or your fifth, AYSO has a lot to offer to the children in our community. As part of AYSO’s education agenda, Kids Zone is a dynamic program targeted to eliminate negative sideline behavior. It is aimed towards producing a positive impact for everyone involved in soccer. Coaches, referees, board members are all volunteering their time. Please be patient and understanding with them to make the best of your family’s overall AYSO experience.
2. In AYSO “everyone plays”. We invite parents to become players too, by joining our volunteer network, which is the heart of AYSO. Without you, our dedicated parents and friends, serving as referees, coaches, administrators, our program would not exist.
3. Please volunteer your time and talents to help keep this outstanding program operational here in the Albion, Marshall, Springport, Concord, Homer AYSO program.

Parent Responsibilities

As a parent, you have a special role in contributing to the needs and development of these youngsters. Through your encouragement and good example, you can help assure the effectiveness of the AYSO program.

Support Your Child

Support your child by giving encouragement and showing an interest in his or her team. Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory. Your child will be a winner, even in defeat.

Always Be Positive

Parents are not participants on their child's team. However, they do contribute to the success experienced by their child and the team. Parents serve as role models for their children. Applaud good plays by your child's team and by the opposing team. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sporting activities.

Be Enthusiastic and Supportive

Let children set their own goals and play the game for themselves. Be careful not to impose your own standards and goals on your child. Don't put too heavy a burden on your child to win games. Surveys reveal that 72 percent of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winner.

Reinforce Positive Behavior

The best way to help a child to achieve goals and reduce the natural fear of failure is through positive reinforcement. No one likes to make a mistake. If your child does make one, remember that he or she is still learning. Encourage your child's efforts and point out the good things your child accomplished.

Let Coaches Coach and Refs Ref

Coaches and referees are usually parents. They volunteer their time to help make your child's youth soccer experience a positive one. They need your support, too. What coaches and referees don't need is your help in coaching from the sidelines. So please refrain from coaching during games and practices. Referees are not the "bad guys." They are volunteers, too, and need your support and encouragement. Treat them and their calls fairly and respectfully.

•AYSO Guidance Manual Parent
•Game Of Soccer- Simple

Kids Zone

In AYSO, we want all players, coaches, families and volunteers to have fun. That’s where Kids Zone comes in. Kids Zone is a program that encourages fans on the sidelines, and anyone else near the play, to use positive language, show sportsmanship in their attitude and behavior, and create a great experience for every player. It’s a reminder that the soccer fields are a kid’s zone – a friendly, happy, wholesome place for children to play.

Kids are No. 1.
Fun, not winning is everything.
Fans only cheer, and only coaches coach.
No yelling in anger.
Respect the volunteer referees.
No swearing or abusive behavior.
No alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
No weapons.
Leave no trash behind.
Set a proper example of sportsmanship.

When it comes down to it, Kids Zone is about supporting every child on the field - even those on the opposing team. It means supporting the players whether they win or lose. It means honoring the game – not the outcome of the game. Remember, respect starts with you!

•Kid Zone Pledge

Safe Haven for Parents

Safe Haven® is a program designed to address a growing need for child and volunteer protection.

Child Protection

There are four elements in the Safe Haven intervention cycle. These are intended to stop child abuse and its agents before they get into the program

Create Policies
Screen Volunteers
Train Volunteers
Promote Education and Awareness

AYSO's goal is to provide certification training for all its volunteers. Certification offers the hope that every AYSO child will be treated with understanding, compassion, and respect.

•AYSO's Safe Haven Program for Parents

AYSO Philosophies

The AYSO develops and delivers quality youth soccer programs which promote a fun, family environment based on our Six Philosophies:

Everyone Plays® - Our goal is for kids to play soccer - so we mandate that every player on every team must play at least half of every game.
Balanced Teams - We require every region at the start of each season to set up teams as evenly balanced as possible. It's more fun when teams are of equal ability.
Positive Coaching - This builds a positive team spirit. We train and encourage our coaches to make the extra effort to understand and offer positive help to our players, rather than negative criticism.
Open Registration - Our programs are open to all children ages 4 - 18 who want to register and play soccer. Interest and enthusiasm are the only requirements for playing.
Good Sportsmanship - We create a positive environment based on mutual respect, rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude. All of our programs are 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.