Oak Park, Illinois AYSO
Region 697
For Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 we offer soccer for those who will be at least 6 years old on August 31, 2010 and under 19 years old on July 31, 2010.
We play two seasons: Fall (late August through early November, with registration during the previous Spring), and Spring (April through mid-June, with registration during the previous Winter). During the Fall season, we have separate boys and girls teams for ages 6 - 13 and co-ed teams for those 14 and older. During the Spring season we have all co-ed teams, and some games for those over 14 years old will be outside the Oak Park area.. Games are usually played on Saturdays. See our FAQ page for more information about Oak Park AYSO and our programs. See our Join Us page for current registration information.
Oak Park American Youth Soccer Organization (Region 697) is part of the nationwide AYSO, a non-profit organization that works to build quality youth soccer programs in a fun environment. AYSO is distinguished by six key principles:
- Everyone Plays - AYSO's goal is for kids to play soccer—so we mandate that every player on every team must play at least half of every game. Oak Park AYSO goes one step further - every player must play two quarters before any player plays three; no player can sit two until every player has sat one.
- Balanced Teams - Each season we form new teams as evenly balanced as possible—because it is fair and more fun when teams of equal ability play.
- Open Registration - Our program is open to all children between 6 and 19 years of age who want to register and play soccer. Interest and enthusiasm are the only criteria for playing.
- Positive Coaching - Encouragement of player effort provides for greater enjoyment by the players and ultimately leads to better-skilled and better-motivated players.
- 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.
