Within our Primary Program, AYSO Region 1103 offers three different options geared specifically toward preschool age children. In some cases depending on age, you only have one option. In other cases, you may have to choose between the available programs to find the one that best fits your child's needs and level of development.
Playground (4U) program: This program was designed by child development and soccer experts to give your child a foundation for sports success. Your player will hop, skip, jump, run, throw, balance, kick... and play. Playground is a unique program designed to develop children by focusing on improving a child’s Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS) in a fun, parent participatory atmosphere utilizing age appropriate activities and storybook adventures. It is a 12 week Soccer based skills Development Program for players age 3-4 who would like to have fun in a soccer environment.
Parent Participation is required in this program, but NO soccer skills, knowledge, or athletic ability are requisite. Only a desire to have fun with and support your own child, and the other children in the community.
Schoolyard (5U) program: This program was also designed by child development and soccer experts to give your child a foundation for athletic success. Schoolyard is an extraordinary program which will introduce both the child and the parent to the game of soccer. The program focuses on teaching children to dribble, pass, and shoot, and more importantly teaches parents how to reinforce these skills.
In the Playground program children are taught to be comfortable in a team environment. To cheer for and support their teammates while they compete. The Schoolyard program builds on this even more. Children are taught to take instruction from a Master Coach, are introduced to some basic soccer skills, and run drills and games to reinforce, refine, and build on these skills.
Parent or Mentor Participation is required in this program, but NO soccer skills, knowledge, or athletic ability are requisite. Only a desire to have fun with and support your own child, and the other children in the community.
6U Program: The 6U program will continue your child’s development with soccer. It is run in a more traditional format. Players will have a 30 to 60 minute practice session during the week, run by a coach and an assistant coach, with the support of a team parent. Players will also have a scheduled game on game days, where they will compete against other teams in the division. Game Play is 3v3, and an emphasis is placed on fun and active engagement. Coaches will double as referees on the field, and players on both teams get an opportunity to have fun and further refine the skills they are developing in practice.
As you can see, each program is slightly different in both design and implementation. You should choose the program that BEST fits the current development of your child. If your child is able to participate in Playground or Schoolyard, it is strongly recommended that they choose this option for at least half a season, before starting to participate at 6U, regardless of eligibility. It is a lot to expect of a youngster to acclimate to a new setting, a new coach, a new team, and a new activity, with no pillar of stability. The mentoring aspect of the Playground and Schoolyard programs is critical to this process, and leads to a much higher success rate in the future.
For more information regarding the registration process, please email
[email protected]. For more information about the primary program in general, please email
[email protected]. For more information about AYSO local to your particular township, please
contact your town representative.
Please Note that your MY2017 fee will be itemized as follows...
- Every Player MUST pay a mandatory, NON-REFUNDABLE National fee that entitles them to several benefits including an AYSO Player Card, Accident Insurance, AYSO National Membership, and eligibility to participate in any AYSO Region Primary program.
- Additionally, players will pay a fee that may be partially or fully refundable at the local region level.
- Uniforms are only included with the Playground and Schoolyard programs. All other registrants must either purchase a uniform, or re-use a uniform from last season. If you do not need a uniform, you will not be charged for one.
- Please see the REFUND policy posted on the home page for specific refund information. Please see the scholarship policy posted on the home page for information on how to apply for financial assistance.