What is “Spring” and how does it work?  Many players and families throughout the Region will be talking about “Spring” in the coming weeks but what does that really mean and how does your player participate?

The Spring Season is a secondary season for AYSO - it is not part of the Core Program but an extension designed to enable those players interested in playing soccer on a year-round basis with an AYSO outlet to do so.  Spring is a “selected” season, meaning that it is not subject to the traditional Open Registration and only those players that participated in a minimum of one-half of their Fall League games are eligible to be selected for a Spring team.

Coaches are awarded teams based upon many factors such as coaching credentials, years of service and prior  management experience.  Coaches then invite players/families to participate in a season that typically lasts from January through June or July.  Teams will often play 3-5 matches per weekend - Sunday game commitments should be considered seriously.

In the U14 division and below there are two tiers of teams: a Tournament Team which plays strictly in AYSO tournaments throughout Southern California, Arizona & Nevada; and a Select Team which participates in a local Area 1B League followed by an abbreviated Tournament season.  Tournament Teams are often comparable to “All-Star” teams while Select teams are considered more development-oriented.  In U16 & U19, all teams formed are considered Select teams and participate in both the Area 1B League as well as various AYSO tournaments.

Spring is a completely self-funded opportunity with all players/families expected to share equally in the costs of the team.  An average Spring season will cost each player/family between $500-$700 depending upon the number of tournaments and amount of personalized equipment (sweats, bags) the teams’ choose to purchase.  There may also be additional costs involved with travel (hotels, meals, transportation) to tournaments the team chooses to attend outside of the local Los Angeles basin.

Whether Tournament or Select - families are expected to participate in all aspects of the teams’ operations.  Family members will be needed to comprise the referee crews, handle team management & finances, organize travel arrangements and coordinate the teams’ share of responsibility in Region 31’s annual Spring Tournament - The Cottontail Country Classic.  All families should be prepared to volunteer in one or more of these specified capacities upon joining a team.