AYSO Region 210’s 5U Schoolyard Program
How the 5U Program Works
The 5U division operates much like a parent/child class: All children plus one parent/guardian per child meet on Saturdays at 11:30 AM. Parent volunteers lead a Skills and Drills session for 30 minutes. Parent volunteers then lead small-sided scrimmages for the second 30 minutes.
Please note that your child will not have an assigned coach, teammates, or additional mid-week practice times in the 5U program. Starting in 6U, AYSO Core has assigned teams and coaches with weekly practices in addition to the Saturday games.
Age
Children who are at least 4 years old and in preschool may play in the 5U Schoolyard program.
What’s Provided/What You Need to Bring
We will provide each child with a jersey, shorts and socks. Uniform distribution will take place before the first session in the fall. At the end of the spring season each player will receive a trophy.
What you need to bring is: a #3 soccer ball, a water bottle, and shin guards (worn under the socks). Cleats (plastic only, please!) are recommended but not required at this age. During Skills and Drills you, the parent, will be quite active, so dress accordingly and bring water for yourself.
Place, Dates, Time and Parking
The 5U Division meets for 16 Saturdays (usually 8 in the fall and 8 in the spring) from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Veeck Park in Hinsdale. Veeck Park is located on the north side of Chicago Avenue/47th Street, just east of County Line Road heading towards Western Springs.
If the Veeck Park parking lot is full, AYSO participants are allowed to park at the Highlands train station lot (and do not need to feed the meters!). The lot is just one block west of Veeck Park.
The fall session usually begins on the first Saturday after Labor Day and meets for 8 consecutive Saturdays. The spring session usually begins in early April and lasts through early June. You should plan to check our local website (www.aysohinsdale.org) EVERY Saturday morning to confirm that the games will be played. Occasionally poor weather and/or field conditions force us to cancel.
Remember, if you participate in the fall you are automatically enrolled for the spring. You do not need to re-register or enroll. You will be contacted via email as to the start date for the spring session. You can also check our local website for information on the first date for the spring session.
Volunteer Opportunities for Parents
AYSO is run entirely by volunteers. Divisions 6U and up need coaches, assistant coaches, referees and administrative help. The 5U program needs volunteers in different areas: Skills and Drills Leaders, Scrimmage Leaders, Field Set-Up, Picture Day and Administrative Help.
We usually have close to 100 children participating in the 5U program each season. AYSO is an all-volunteer organization and we expect each family to help out in some fashion. Volunteering for the 5U program is easy! Most tasks are handled during the Saturday morning session and you can have your child help you.
Contact Information
Please contact the 5U Division Commissioners with any additional questions: [email protected].