FAQs

These are “frequently asked questions” by parents and others. If you have a question that is not listed here please contact the commissioner.

Questions

• What do the registration fees cover?
• When is the soccer season?
• When will the games be played?
• Where will the games be played?
• When do practices start?
• In what division should my child play?
• What kind of equipment does my child need?
• What is the refund policy in our region?
• What are the boundaries of your region?
• Can I join your region if I don’t live there?
• How do I find out what team my child is on?
• When will the game schedules be available?

Questions and Answers

	What do the registration fees cover?
	Registration fees cover a portion of the costs of running the program, a uniform that your child keeps at the end of the season, the “basic” photo package, and supplemental accident insurance for AYSO-sponsored activities.You must pay separately for shoes, shin guards and a soccer ball. Proper equipment is essential for safety.
	When is the soccer season?
	The Fall season will typically have the first games played in the beginning of September, and will run through the beginning of November, (the period considered the regular season), with many teams from the U10, U12 and U14 divisions participating in our region playoffs in November. Check the region calendar for specific dates. Coaches will be given their team rosters and practice field assignments in late August. All teams can begin practicing in late August. Due to coach’s personal availability (e.g. vacations, etc.) the practices may not begin until later.
	When will the games be played?
	All soccer games held in the Fall season are played on Saturdays only (with the exception of our end-of-season tournament, and possibly one other weekend due to field availability limitations), with the exception of the U16/U19 division, which plays games on Wednesday evenings with Area play on Saturdays, and the U5 division, which plays games on Tuesday or Thursday. Games are held every weekend from the start of the season to the end of the season.
	Where will the games be played?
	The games are played at various schools and parks in the Five Cities area.Follow this link to find the locations. Field assignments per division have not yet been made for the season.
	When do practices start, where are they and how frequent are the practices?
	For the fall season practices begin in late August depending on coach schedule. The coach and practice field assignments determine how often the team practices. Generally teams practice twice each week. The younger kids, e.g., U6 players, may practice only once a week. Practices generally start between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Practice fields and times are assigned by lottery.
	In what division should my child play?
	Visit our age chart to determine which division your child will play in.
	What kind of equipment does my child need?
	Players must be in team uniform to play in games (current team uniform is not worn at practices) Shin guards are REQUIRED equipment for all practices and games. Shoes: Most players wear soccer cleated shoes but they are not required. If a player wears cleated shoes, ONLY shoes specifically designed for soccer are allowed (no baseball or football cleats). Referees are NOT required to stop a game if a shoe becomes untied or comes off (a frequent situation for younger players). Double knots are suggested. Bring a ball (if you have one) and bottle full of water to every practice. All jewelry INCLUDING PIERCED EARRINGS must be removed during soccer play (no exceptions). Hair clips, or bands with sharp corners, or hard ornamentation must be removed during soccer play (no exceptions). Ball sizes: U19, U16 & U14: size 5; U12 & U10: size 4; U8 & U6: size 3.
	What are the boundaries of your region? Can I join your region if I don’t live there?
	One of philosophies of AYSO is “open registration”. This means that people from any neighborhood are welcome to join Region 83. However, all of our league season practices and games are played locally, in the Five Cities area.
	How do I find out what team my child is on?
	Coaches receive their team rosters at the Annual Coaches Meeting in late August. If a coach is not able to attend the annual Coaches Meeting, they are responsible for obtaining their team roster from their division coordinator. The Annual Coaches Meeting is in late August. You should be contacted by your coach shortly thereafter. Practices may begin shortly thereafter. If you are not contacted by your coach by the end of August, please contact your division coordinator.
	When will the game schedules be available?
	The game schedules will be available via the web site during the week before opening day.