Places to Play Pick Up Games
The Champaign Park District maintains soccer fields in many area parks. Please visit our Parks page and search the park features for “soccer” to find a field near you! Note: the Dodds Soccer Complex is open for programming only. Due to considerable wear and tear, there are no “open play” times at Dodds. For more information about neighborhood soccer fields or Dodds Soccer Complex reservations, please call 217-398-2550.
Volunteer Coaches Needed!
We need you, Coach! The foundation of our Youth Sports Programs rests on our wonderful volunteer coaches who give their time, talent, and heart every day. For more information on volunteering, please see our Volunteer page.
Challenger British Soccer Camps
Ages 3-14; boys and girls
Challenger British Soccer Camps provide young players of all abilities with the rare opportunity to receive high-level soccer coaching from a team of international experts right in the heart of their own community. Campers will be exposed to individual foot skills, technical drills, tactical practices, small-sided games and scrimmages. Soccer skills are coached within a framework of character development based on respect, responsibility, integrity, leadership and sportsmanship. We offer a cultural education too! Our ever-popular Camp World Cup Tournament allows us to introduce players to the geography, traditions, and culture of other great soccer-playing countries. Simply put; amazing coaches, awesome accents, and cultural ingredients combine for a one-of-a-kind camp experience. Each child will receive a free t-shirt, soccer ball, giant fold-out poster, and a personal player evaluation. Supplies: Campers should bring plenty of water each day. Full-day campers should also bring a packed lunch with a beverage and snacks each day. All campers should arrive at camp with sunscreen already applied, as well as with additional sunscreen to apply as needed (we recommend an SPF of at least 30). Attire: Summer active wear, shin guards, and athletic shoes or soccer cleats. Partial rebates are available for families willing to host the British coaches.
Host families needed! Host a traveling coach and receive a partial rebate!
- First Kicks (ages 3-4) is a fun introduction to the very basic elements of the game. Small coaching groups, lots of running, kicking, laughing, and new friends.
- Mini Soccer (ages 4-6) offers a chance to learn and develop basic skills, team concepts and fun habits. Emphasis on a variety of fun teaching activities.
- Half-Day Recreational (ages 6-11) develops individual foot skills, technical practices, tactical progressions and small sided games.
- Half-Day Competitive (8-14) is for the more advanced player. These sessions offer some of the same skill building as the Half-Day Recreational with a much stronger emphasis on competition and advanced play.
- Full-Day sessions (ages 10-14) are for the senior player and include a high level of individual skill building, tactical instruction, and an emphasis on highly competitive game-related activities.
For more information, see our Summer Program Guide.
Visit www.challengersports.com to register!
Questions: Cody.Evans@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3983
Illinois Futbol Club (IFC) Soccer
Ages 3 – 2nd grade
The Champaign Park District and the Illinois Futbol Club (IFC) have worked together for over a decade to provide high-quality soccer coaching to youth ages 3 through 2nd grade. Below are a list of the programs we offer in partnership with IFC. IFC does offer programming past 2nd grade, but those programs are not in conjunction with the Park District. All instruction is provided by licensed IFC coaches. New programs may be added at any time, so please reference the most recent Program Guide for any additions or changes.
Illinois FC Summer Soccer
Micro Soccer
Ages 3-6; boys and girls
Illinois FC and the Champaign Park District offers Summer Micro Soccer. Players should bring a soccer ball (preferably size 3), water bottle, and shin guards to each session. Soccer cleats are optional. All players receive a free t-shirt. For more details on Illinois FC Micro Soccer, visit www.illinoisfc.com.
The 3-4 year old classes introduce players to soccer in a fun-filled learning environment. Games and activities promote soccer skills and overall athletic development.
The 4-5 year old classes introduce players to dribbling, passing, shooting, and coordination and body movement activities in a fun-filled environment. Games and practice activities promote soccer skills and overall athletic development.
The 5-6 year old classes prepare kids for the Youth Soccer League. Focus is on helping each player reach their potential in a fun-filled and challenging environment. Dribbling, passing, shooting, ball control, decision-making, and creativity are emphasized. Team play is fostered through group exercises and small-sided matches.
Questions: Cody.Evans@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3983
Illinois FC Fall Soccer (outdoors)
Micro Soccer
Kindergarten; boys and girls
The kindergarten age Micro Soccer sessions focus on the development of each individual player, helping each player reach their potential in a fun-filled and challenging environment. The curriculum emphasizes technique training that strengthens dribbling, passing, shooting, ball control, decision-making, and creativity. Team play is fostered through group exercises and small-sided matches. All instruction is done by licensed Illinois FC coaches. For more details on Illinois FC Micro Soccer (Kindergarten), please visit illinoisfc.com.
Practices are on Monday or Wednesday and 3v3 games are on Saturday mornings for six weeks. Players should bring a soccer ball (preferably size 3), water bottle, and shin guards to each session. Soccer cleats are optional. All players receive a free t-shirt. For more information, please see our Program Guide.
Questions: Cody.Evans@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3983
Soccer Academy
1st-2nd graders
Illinois FC Soccer Academy is a program for players in first and second grade who are looking for a more challenging playing environment. The idea behind the academy is to create a bridge between the recreational player and competitive player. Illinois FC is focused on the development of each individual player, helping each player reach their potential in a fun-filled and challenging environment. The curriculum emphasizes technique training that strengthens dribbling, passing, shooting, ball control, decision-making, and creativity. Team play is fostered through group exercises and small-sided matches. All instruction is done by licensed Illinois FC coaches. For more details on Illinois FC Soccer Academy, please visitillinoisfc.com.
The program meets once a week for six weeks. Players should bring a soccer ball, water bottle, and shin guards to each session. Soccer cleats are recommended. All players receive a free t-shirt.
The program is separate from the Park District Youth Soccer Leagues and travel soccer and can be done in addition to or instead of playing in those programs.For more information, please see our Program Guide.
Questions: Cody.Evans@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3983
Illinois FC Winter/Spring Soccer (indoors)
Ages 3-Kindergarten; boys and girls
Offered indoors in the winter and early spring at the Leonhard Recreation Center, this program provides a great introduction to soccer but also allows participants to build on skills they may have learned in previous soccer programs. Children are divided into age groups and introduced to age-appropriate skills including dribbling, passing, shooting, ball control, and general coordination. For more information or to register, please see our Program Guide. All instruction is provided by licensed IFC coaches.
Questions: Cody.Evans@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3983
IFC First Kicks Soccer
Age 3; boys and girls
Offered outdoors in the late spring at Dodds Soccer Complex, this program introduces three year olds to soccer in a fun-filled learning environment. Our experienced coaches know just the right games and activities to get your young one interested in the game. All instruction is provided by licensed IFC coaches. For more information or to register, please see our Program Guide.
Questions: 217-398-2550.
IFC Soccer Academy
1st & 2nd grade; boys and girls
This program is offered outdoors in the late spring and is designed for first and second graders who are looking for a more challenging playing environment. The idea behind the Academy is to create a bridge between the recreational and competitive player. All instruction is provided by licensed IFC coaches. Participants may play in both Champaign Park District, travel, and IFC leagues at the same time. For more information or to register, please see our Program Guide.
Questions: Cody.Evans@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3983
Champaign Park District Youth Soccer Leagues
1st – 8th grade; boys and girls
Youth Soccer Leagues are the perfect place to learn hard work, teamwork, and social skills while
having a great time! The leagues focus on fun, sportsmanship, instruction, and opportunity. All
players will receive approximately equal playing time. Each league uses soccer balls, goals, and
fields proportional to their age as recommended by the U.S. Youth Soccer. Teams will play six
officiated games on Saturdays or on weeknights (depending on the league). For more information , please see our Program Guide.
Questions: Cody.Evans@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3983
