2010 Registration FAQs
Q. How do I register?
A link will appear on the league’s home page when registration opens. Registration involves the following steps:
1. Entering the registration data.
2. Paying the registration fee.
3. Bringing two (2) signed copies of the registration form to the first practice.
4. Showing a copy of the birth certificate to the coach at the first practice.
Q. What is the cost? What does it include?
Early Registration Discount (Expires May 15, 2010)
$100 for those born before August 1st, 2004
$75 for those born between August 1st, 2004 and July 31st, 2006
Regular Fees (After May 15)
$135 for those born before August 1st, 2004
$100 for those born between August 1st, 2004 and July 31st, 2006
The registration fee provides fields, team equipment, uniforms, individual photographs and individual trophies.
Q. What is the minimum age? What are the age divisions?
A player must be 4 years old on August 1, 2010. There are no exceptions. AYSO uses the following divisions:
U19 ages 16-17-18 born 8-1-91 thru 7-31-94
U16 ages 14-15 born 8-1-94 thru 7-31-96
U14 ages 12-13 born 8-1-96 thru 7-31-98
U12 ages 10-11 born 8-1-98 thru 7-31-00
U10 ages 8-9 born 8-1-00 thru 7-31-02
U8 ages 6-7 born 8-1-02 thru 7-31-04
U6 age 5 born 8-1-04 thru 7-31-05
U5 age 4 born 8-1-05 thru 7-31-06
Q. Can I use a paper registration form in lieu of on-line registration? Can I pay the registration fee with a check?
We use on-line registration, thus avoiding countless volunteer hours transferring the paper data into our databases. If you cannot register on-line please contact the registrar at registrar@ayso-lc.org to discuss your options. Similarly, we prefer you select the online credit card payment (provides the best privacy protection and minimizes volunteer workload). Paying by check requires a volunteer to retrieve the check from the post box and personally deliver the check to the AYSO treasurer. Unfortunately, it may take several weeks before the volunteer's and treasurer's schedule coincide, especially during the summer vacation months. The treasurer must then keypunch the payment into both the treasurer's accounting system and the registration system. Paying by check after June 15, could result in your child NOT being placed on a team if the division is full. We will not place a player on a team until the payment has processed. Unless you volunteer to sort the mail, be the treasurer or be the registrar, please use the on-line payment option.
Q. When do the seasons start and end?
Practices for the fall 2010 recreational leagues will begin in late July at the earliest, depending on field availability. Regular season games begin in late August and continue through the beginning of November. U-10 teams and above compete in a playoff tournament. Your coach should contact you and provide you a practice schedule by the end of July.
Q. My family will be away on vacation until Labor Day/school starts/the end of August. Will my child miss out?
Many families are away during this time. Every effort will be made to ensure that you receive a call from a coach by July 15th. If you inform the coach (or Division Coordinator) of your plans, there should be no problems. Enjoy your vacation.
Q. I would like to have my child placed on the same team with [Joey/Susie down the street] for carpooling purposes. Is this possible?
For children in the youngest divisions the division directors make every effort to accommodate such requests but Balanced Teams is a basic AYSO philosophy. Division coordinators in each division will review any request and attempt to support it. Please enter your request as part of the on-line registration. Only requests entered into the registration system and made prior to team formation can be considered.
Q. My child has gymnastics/swimming/baseball on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and will sometimes have conflicts with Saturday games. Can he/she be placed on a team that practices on Wednesdays?
We must assign players to teams before we assign the coaches. After we build the balanced teams and assign the coach, the coach selects a practice field via a lottery. Games will primarily be played on Saturdays, though there could be an occasional weekday game. An AYSO core philosophy is, “Everyone Plays”. If your child will consistently have to miss practices and/or games, please think carefully about whether AYSO is right for your child at this time.
Q. When I registered, I specifically asked that my child be placed on a specific coach's team. I just got a call from a coach I never heard of before. Can I switch teams?
With rare exception, no. We have many popular and oft-requested coaches and in the interest of fairness we cannot honor specific coach requests.
Q. My child's birthday is before August 1st, but in school, he/she is with classmates who are younger. May my child "play down" in a younger division, so as to be on teams with kids with whom he/she goes to school?
The AYSO year runs from August 1st through July 31st. Many children are in different divisions than their school classmates. We encourage you to view this as a positive experience - it will allow your child to broaden his/her relationships outside of school and enjoy making new friends. Your player could be one of the older players in a division as opposed to one of the younger players. A player may play outside his/her age a division with older players but this requires AYSO board approval. Rarely, a player could player in a younger division, but this typically requires a medical recommendation and AYSO board approval.
Q. Do I belong in your Region? When and Where will my child's practices be held?
AYSO La Costa practices and plays game primarily in South Carlsbad. Though field allocation depends in large part on Carlsbad residency, all children are welcome. We practice and play games at Poinsettia Park, Aviara Community Park, Stagecoach Park as well as schools in the Carlsbad, Encinitas, and San Marcos districts. Coaches select their practice times, via a lottery, at a pre-season meeting. They select the times based upon field availability and their schedules. Other local AYSO regions include San Elijo Hills and San Marcos.
Q. How do I address a registration question?
Send an email to Registrar@ayso-lc.org
Q. Can I bring my dog to a game?
No. Local ordinances preclude pets from visiting the soccer fields. The fine can be quite hefty! You should also be aware the City of Carlsbad bans other items such as sunflower seeds and Gatorade from their artificial turf fields.
Q. "I work full-time." "I am a single parent." "I don't know anything about soccer." "I don't have time." How can I help?
AYSO is an all-volunteer organization. There are numerous positions to be filled and tasks to be completed. Please see the Board of Directors page for a list of open positions. If you have a unique skill we would love to hear from you.
Q. Who can I call if I have a problem?
Your Regional Board of Directors is a great place to start. Please view the AYSO Board of Directors page. Any board member would be glad to address your concern.Parents are always welcome to voice their concerns at the monthly board meeting.