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American Youth Soccer Organization Providing world class youth soccer programs that enrich children's lives.

AYSO Region 298 - Dowagiac, Niles, Eau Claire, Decatur, Cassopolis, Sister Lakes & Surrounding areas

EPIC

 What is EPIC?

EPIC stands for Everyone Plays In our Community, and it’s part of AYSO’s mission to make soccer accessible and joyful for all players — including those with physical or developmental disabilities.

The AYSO EPIC Program provides extra support so that athletes with disabilities can participate in a safe, inclusive, and fun soccer experience. From wearing a team uniform and practicing with teammates, to playing and cheering together, EPIC is about more than soccer — it’s about belonging.

EPIC Buddies: Central to the program are the EPIC Buddies—volunteers who assist players during practices. These buddies help athletes learn soccer skills, build friendships, and boost self-esteem. They ensure that each player has a rewarding and enjoyable experience on the field.

How it works:
EPIC teams meet once a week for a short practice 30 minutes. The program runs for 6/7 weeks during the fall/spring season.


Playground

                                                                       Playground

 One day during the weekday for 30 Minutes, Soccer foam ball used. the playground program is a pressure-free introduction to soccer in a Jamboree format that allows 3-year-olds to experience fun activities and non-contact games that require no practice or prior experience.  Coaches lead weekly sessions in which parents and kids are introduced to a non-contact game or activity that involves a soccer-related skill.  The objective of this clinic-style program is to introduce the game to the youngest kids (and their parents) in a stress-free environment. parents stay on the field with their own child, Connot work with other children unless background check registered 

6U COED

6U

6U Coed Saturdays only for games Possibly couple during week depending on having uneven teams, Size 3 ball, 1 practice per week for 30 minutes, NO parents on field allowed

The U6 program introduces teams. Players are part of a 7-player team, which plays a weekly game on Saturdays. plays a 20-minute game 5-minute quarters against another team Games are 4v4 on a small (25x15 yd) field. This maximizes playing time for each child. Games are purely for fun; we don't keep score, and we don't have standings. Or goal keepers everyone play's at least half the game.

8U COED

8U

 The 8U programs introduce 2 weekly practices for 1 hour in addition to the Saturday games possibly during week depending on having uneven teams, games are 4 10-minute quarters Size 3 ball,
Games are 40 minutes in length and are played 5v5 on a small (35x25 yd) field with proportionally small nets and no goalkeepers. Experience shows that 6- and 7-year-olds lack the physical development and psychological focus to play the goalkeeper position, and that eliminating the keepers opens up the game and makes it more free-flowing. The small-sided experience allows each player to fully participate in the game 8U play is still purely for fun; we don't keep score, and we don't have standings. 

10U COED

10U

 In the 10U division (for players age 8 and 9), we introduce goalkeeping and competitive play along with learning positions, Size 4 ball. Weekly games are 50 minutes long,4 12.5-minute quarters and are played 7v7 on a 65x45 yard field. This is the first division in which we keep score and maintain standings. May be selected to go to a tournament. Due to the "competitive" nature of this division, creating balanced teams takes on a greater priority in team formation.


12U COED

12U 

12U (for players 10 and 11), games are 60 minutes long, size 4 ball, 4 15-minute quarters and are played 9v9 on a pitch that is 80 yards long, and 55 yards wide.  the 13-player roster teams allow greater space on the field and more involvement by each player. Keep track of standings and could be selected to go to tournament at end of season

14U COED

14U
14U division, we introduce full-size 11v11 play and travel! Games are 70 minutes long, depending on size of teams playing if small substitution number we would play 4 17.5-minute quarters, if large number of substitutions we would play monitor substitutions, yet we continue to ensure that all players participate for at least 3/4 of a game. Teams play most of their games against teams from other local regions, so there is travel to our neighbors like Middleville, Kalamazoo, river oaks.

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AYSO Region 298

28776 Yaw St 
Dowagiac, Michigan 49047

Email Us: [email protected]
Phone : 269-462-5679
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