Structure for Albany Youth Soccer
Albany Youth Soccer’s model combines high-quality and fun programming to create a unique environment for players to fall in love with soccer and develop skills while still being supported by our close-knit recreational league community.
In this model:
- Players will still be sorted into teams of 12-18 players within their respective age group. The U12 group will be a group training session with fluctuating teams for scrimmages.
- U6-U10 teams will bear the name of community sponsors.
- For the first 30 minutes of play, teams will engage in fun soccer activities and skills.
- For the last 30 minutes of play, teams will engage in a scrimmage led by a Scrimmage Coach (AYS volunteers).
Emphasis will be on player development, teamwork, socialization, and fun, and not on competitive figures like score keeping, winning, or losing.
If you have any registration related questions, please e-mail our Registration Team at albanyyouthsoccer@gmail.com.
Fall 2025 Schedule
The schedule for the Fall 2025 season is as follows:
- September 6 – OPENING DAY/ MEET YOUR COACHES/ Game Day 1
- September 13 – Game Day 2
- September 20 – Game Day 3
- September 27 – PICTURE DAY/ Game Day 4
- October 4 – Game Day 5
- ***BYE WEEK October 11***
- October 18 – Game Day 6
- October 25 – CLOSING DAY/ Game Day 7
with…
- U6 playing from 9 am – 10 am
- U8 playing from 10:15 am – 11:15 am
- U10 playing from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
- U12 playing from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
You will hear from your assigned coach a few days before Opening Day, with instructions for that day and the rest of the season. There will be one practice per week per team, up to the U10 level (excluding U12), to be determined by your coach, typically discussed on Opening Day.
If you don’t hear from your coach before Opening Day, please arrive at the fields 15 minutes before your assigned game time. AYS staff will assist you in finding your coach.
Equipment required for our league includes shin guards and a fully-inflated ball (with your name on it in permanent marker/ ink). Sneakers are fine, but non-metal cleats are preferred. If wearing cleats, please use soccer cleats (no spikes in the front, unlike baseball cleats).
Keep In Mind…
We are an entirely volunteer-run organization, and for many years, we have had an incredible community around AYS. Some reminders:
- All players are required to wear shin guards. No exceptions.
- Cleats are not required, but encouraged. Sock-styled footwear with soft or knit toe area are not appropriate for playing soccer.
- Be patient with the staff, other young players, our referees, and our coaches. Saying positive things to your child is great! Saying negative things to or about other children or referees is not.
- Show good sportsmanship with our pre-teen and teen referees from the sidelines; encourage your child to do the same.
- We will add “conditions” – such as a number of passes before shooting – from time to time to promote a competitive, fair-play environment.
- Respect the school grounds – no pets, dispose of litter in trash cans, do not allow your kids to climb the fences or nets (and you should not climb the fences or nets, either).