- How can I register my child?
Registration can be completed through this website by clicking Register Now above. - How much is the registration fee?
Early registration is $115 per player. Registration after July 1st will be $140 per player. The fee covers fall and spring fees, and includes the jersey. It covers all National and local dues and insurances. There is also a non-refundable $2.75 payment processing fee. So, the total early registration fee will equal $117.75, of which, our region receives $95.00, $20.00 is paid to AYSO National, and $2.75 covers the processing fee.
During the process of registering, you may periodically see the fee appear differently - this is due to the application of the AYSO National required fee of $20. This is already included in the total amount that you pay, by the time you get to the check out screen it WILL display the correct price, I promise!
- I registered for the fall session, do I need to reregister for the spring season?
For Core Soccer, if you registered for the fall session, you are automatically registered for the spring session. Your coach should call you about 2-3 weeks before the season starts. If you are not playing in the spring, please let your coach know so that we can fill the roster, ensuring a full team. This year, Playground runs Fall and Spring for the fee paid. If we have openings for Spring then you may register to fill a team where players are needed and create a new team if we have need. - What areas in town does Region 211 cover?
Our region covers Kalamazoo, Oshtemo, and Parchment. Specific guidance can be found at the AYSO region locator here Regions are intended to make it convenient for families to play with neighbors and schoolmates. However, we do have kids from other regions that will play in our area because of a classmate or some other reason, and we welcome everyone! - Where are the games played?
At the AYSO Region 211 Soccer Complex on Drake Road - 901 S Drake Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. The entrance to the complex is located on the east side of Drake Road, south of Arboretum Parkway and just north of Calvary Bible Church. 14U Coed, 14 Girls and 12u Girls may travel for play. - How long is the season?
For Core Soccer, our season is annual and includes both Fall and Spring sessions. Fall consists of six weeks and runs from the weekend after Labor Day to mid-October (Dates vary). The Spring session is also six weeks long and will run from late April to the first weekend in June. When you register and pay to play in AYSO 211 you have automatically signed up and paid for both Fall & Spring. - What is the fee if I only want to play in Fall and not Spring, or vice versa?
Our fees are based on our annual expenses, including the cost to lease the playing fields which is our primary expense. Additionally, a portion of the fee is the AYSO National Player fee which pays for the full year. Therefore, the fee is the same regardless of how many games you choose to participate in or what session. Note that Playground is different. - What discounts are available?
Early registration reduces the annual fee by $25.
We also offer a $20.00 discount per child to free-lunch program recipients and we also have a discount we offer to refugee families. - What division does my child play in?
Divisions are determined by birth year:
Chart below is updated for 2023-2024 season Playground | Born 9/10/2020 or before |
5U | 2019 |
6U | 2018 |
8U* | 2016 - 2017 |
10U* | 2014 - 2015 |
12U* | 2012 - 2013 |
14U | 2010 - 2011 |
16-19U | 2005 - 2009 |
*Division has both Coed and Girls Only teams, select during registration.
- Can my child play up a division?
Yes, with Board approval. Typically this will be approved if the parent is coaching the team the child would be playing on. No player may play down, however, this is a National requirement. - When are practices?
The practices are at the coach's discretion. This is a great reason to volunteer to coach! U-6 to U-12 practice one night per week for 30-60 minutes. U-14 and above practice one night per week for up to ninety minutes. 5U meets only on Game days, with the first half of their scheduled hour used to practice and the second half used to play a game. - Can I Request a Specific Coach or Teammates?
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee specific requests. We also try to create teams based on where players live and what school they attend; however, age and years of experience are also very important because AYSO mandates Balanced Teams. If you coach, your child will be assigned to your team. We always put siblings in the same division together. If you have a specific request, you can place it in the notes during registration and we will make every effort to honor it. Requests made after registration is complete cannot be honored. - What training is provided to volunteers?
For each division we have age specific coach training. For referees and board members, we have specific training for each position. Regional Referee training is required for referee certification. To ensure the safety of both children and volunteers, each volunteer, regardless of the role, is required to complete a federally required Safe Sport program, take a short online training session called Safe Haven™. It focuses on safety and appropriate behavior with children as well as first aid and other on-field issues. All volunteers also complete CDC training on concussions to ensure proper recognition and treatment is provided. Agreeing to a background check is also required for each volunteer. Additionally, role specific training is provided, such as for coaches and referees. - Refunds
If you register your child and then decide for any reason that the player will not play in our region, please review our refund policy. Note that your team coach cannot issue you a refund. Refunds are typically not issued after practices have begun. Please note, it may take up to 45 days to process your refund. AYSO rules require two signatures on checks, and all Board members are volunteers. It can be tricky to get together for check-signing, your patience and understanding is appreciated. - Are the teams coed?
All divisions have coed teams. If there is enough interest, 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U may also have Girls Only divisions. If you are interested in placing your daughter on a Girls Only team in these divisions, please make that note during registration. If there are not enough girls to create a separate division, all players will be placed on coed teams. - How do I volunteer?
We are so glad you asked! Volunteering is fundamental to the success of this program. Go tot he Volunteer page and selection the position you desire to register for. The, it is a matter of completing the required training and a completed background check. Everyone you see or interact with, including the person writing these words right now, is a volunteer. Some regions require some level of parental volunteering for a player to participate. We understand that life can get hectic sometimes and we want kids to play soccer, so we don’t do that. However, we desperately need you. Any time you can give, we can use. We have a page specifically devoted to volunteering - please check it out by clicking The Board of Directors/Volunteering link above. Each volunteer is required to pass a background check and take certain required online training.