Youth Soccer

YOUTH SPRING SOCCER LEAGUE

1st-8th graders  ( VOLUNTEER COACHES NEEDED! )

Learn hard work, teamwork, and social skills while having a great time! The leagues focus on fun, sportsmanship, fundamental instruction, and opportunity. All players will receive approximately equal playing time, minimum 50% playing time. Each league uses soccer balls, goals, and fields proportional to their age as recommended by the U.S. Youth Soccer. All teams will play six officiated games on Saturdays or on weeknights (depending on the league). Older ages (3rd grade+) will also play in an end of season tournament.

TIMELINE:

• Early Bird Registration – February 19
• Deadline to Register – March 5
• Coaches Contact – Week of March 20
• Coaches Meeting – March 14th @ 6pm at Leonhard Center
• Practices Begin – Week of March 20
• Games Begin – April 1

*NOTE: More players may be allowed, depending on coaching availability

Program Fee (R/NR) & Deadline

$70/$104 | Early Bird Registration by February 19

$85/$128 | Registration between February 19-March 5

Uniform Fees: 2 team jerseys $14/each; shorts $8; socks $4. Purchase of uniform items needs to be done at Leonhard Recreation Center. Email will go out when uniforms are available for purchase.

Practices: Expectations on practices is once a week, although older age groups may go twice a week. Practice days are usually Tuesday or Thursday nights, starting no earlier than 5:15p.

Games: Games begin on April 1 and are played Saturdays or a weeknight (depending on the league). Make-up games may potentially be played on Tuesday or Thursday evenings. Depending on rainouts and other factors, games may go until the first Saturday in June.

Location: Dodds Soccer Complex. Exception: Grades 3rd- 8th may also play games in Urbana

Team Placement: Team placement will be done by the CPD Sports Staff. Requests for specific teams, coaches, or practice times/locations WILL NOT be accepted. However, completed Buddy Forms will be honored. Buddy Forms are available online or at the Leonhard Recreation Center.

Volunteer Coaches Needed: Check the Champaign Park District volunteer page on our website at champaignparks.org for information about becoming a volunteer coach. Then, fill out a Volunteer Application and turn it in. We would not be able to run this program without volunteer coaches. There will be a coaches meeting on March 14 before the season begins.

Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3984

YOUTH SOCCER REGISTRATION 

YOUTH FALL SOCCER LEAGUES

K-8th graders  ( VOLUNTEER COACHES NEEDED! )

Learn hard work, teamwork, and social skills while having a great time! The leagues focus on fun, sportsmanship, fundamental instruction, and opportunity. All players will receive approximately equal playing time, minimum 50% playing time. Each league uses soccer balls, goals, and fields proportional to their age as recommended by the U.S. Youth Soccer. All teams will play six officiated games on Saturdays or on weeknights (depending on the league). Older ages (3rd grade+) will also play in an end of season tournament.

TIMELINE:

• REGISTER BY MAY 22 TO SAVE $10!
• Last day to register – July 2
• Coaches Contact – Week of July 17
• Coaches Meeting – July 13 at 6p at Leonhard Recreation Center
• Practices Begin – Week of July 24
• Games Begin – August 5

*NOTE: More players may be allowed, depending on coaching availability. Team size varies depending on enrollment & number of coaches

Registration Deadline: July 2; SAVE $10 by registering by May 22

Uniform Fees: 2 team jerseys $14/each; shorts $8; socks $4. Purchase of uniform items needs to be done at Leonhard Recreation Center. Email will go out when uniforms are available for purchase.

Practices: Practice for Kindergarten league will be for 30 minutes prior to their game time on Saturdays, this league will only meet once a week on Saturdays. Practices for Grades 1st-6th will be once a week, on Tuesday or Thursday evenings after 5:15p. Practices for 7th-8th grade will be twice a week on Tuesday and Thursdays after 5:15p. Practices will generally last an hour to an hour and a half depending on the age level.

Games: Games begin on August 5 and are typically played Saturdays. 5/6 Boys may also have Monday evening games & 5/6 Girls may have Tuesday evening games. For grades 3rd and up rainout dates/cancellations may be scheduled on Tuesday or Thursday nights if unable to extend season on Saturdays. Depending on rainouts and other factors, games may go until the second Saturday in October. 

Location: Dodds Soccer Complex. Exception: Grades 3rd – 6th will also have games in Mahomet and Urbana. Grades 7th & 8th will have games in Urbana, St. Joe, etc.

Team Placement: Team placement will be done by the CPD Sports Staff. Requests for specific teams, coaches, or practice times/locations WILL NOT be accepted. However, completed Buddy Forms will be honored. Buddy Forms are available online or at the Leonhard Recreation Center.

Volunteer Coaches Needed: Check the Champaign Park District volunteer page on our website at champaignparks.org for information about becoming a volunteer coach. Then, fill out a Volunteer Application and turn it in. We would not be able to run this program without volunteer coaches. There will be a coaches meeting on July 13 before the season begins.

Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3984

YOUTH SOCCER FALL REGISTRATION 

POP UP SOCCER CLINICS WITH IFC

Ages 5-14

Join the Champaign Park District and Illinois Futbol Club for our new FREE pop up soccer clinics around Champaign! These co-ed clinics are designed to practice fundamentals and help kids learn about the sport of soccer. These clinics will focus on fundamentals in a fun and scrimmage friendly environment.

POP UP AT HUMAN KINETICS PARK

AGE | DATE | DAY | TIME | DEADLINE

5-7 | June 8 | Th | 5-5:45p | June 1

8-10 | June 8 | Th | 6-7p | June 1

POP UP AT SUNSET RIDGE

11-12 | June 12 | M | 5-6p | June 5

13-14 | June 12 | M | 6-7p | June 5

POP UP AT SUNSET RIDGE

5-8 | June 26 | M | 8:30-9:15a | June 20

Fee (R/NR): FREE, but registration is required
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks@org or 217-819-3984

POP UP SOCCER CLINIC REGISTRATION >>

Looking for our Micro-Soccer with IFC? Visit our Micro Sports page for more info! 

Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3984

 
Micro Soccer Sports >>

CHALLENGER SPORTS CORE SOCCER CAMPS

Ages 3-14
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.

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).

• Tiny Tykes (ages 3-5) is a fun introduction to the very basic elements of the game. Small coaching groups, lots of running, kicking, laughing, and new friends.
• Half-Day Recreational (ages 6-11) develops individual foot skills, technical practices, tactical progressions and small sided games.
• Half-Day Competitive (ages 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.

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 A COACH:
For the full experience and a chance to add an international flair to your summer, host a Challenger coach for the week and get a taste of England. Host families also receive a partial rebate.

WEEK ONE: JUNE 19-23

Registration Deadline: June 19
Free Challenger Soccer Jersey: Register online at challengersports.com before May 20, 2023 and receive a free Challenger soccer jersey.

CAMP | AGES | DAY | TIME | FEE BEFORE MAY 20 | FEE AS OF MAY 20

Tiny Tykes | 3-5 | M-F | 8-8:45a | $112 | $132

Half Day Rec. | 6-11 | M-F | 9a-12p | $153 | $183

Half Day Comp. | 11-14 | M-F | 1-4p | $153 | $183

Full Day | 10-14 | M-F | 9a-4p | $228 | $268

WEEK TWO: JULY 17-21

Registration Deadline: July 17
Free Challenger Soccer Jersey: Register online at challengersports.com before June 17, 2023 and receive a free Challenger soccer jersey.

CAMP | AGES | DAY | TIME | FEE BEFORE MAY 20 | FEE AS OF MAY 20

Tiny Tykes | 3-5 | M-F | 8-8:45a | $112 | $132

Half Day Rec. | 6-11 | M-F | 9a-12p | $153 | $183

Half Day Comp. | 11-14 | M-F | 1-4p | $153 | $183

Full Day | 10-14 | M-F | 9a-4p | $228 | $268

Location: Dodds Soccer Complex (both weeks)

All registration online through Challenger Sports.

• 1st-2nd Grade Co-ed Schedule >>
• Spring 34 Grade Boys Soccer Schedule >>
• Spring 34 Grade Girls Soccer Schedule >>
• Spring 56 Grade Boys Soccer Schedule >>
• Spring 56 Grade Girls Soccer Schedule >>
• Spring 78 Grade Boys Soccer Schedule >>
• Spring 78 Grade Girls Soccer Schedule >>
• Buddy Form>>
• Player Evaluations (for coaches) >>
• Champaign Neighborhood Soccer Fields >>
• Youth Soccer Handbook >>
• Dodds Soccer Complex Map
• Sports Manager Contact: Justice Miller — justice.miller@champaignparks.org

The foundation of our Youth Soccer Program is our Volunteer Coaches. Coaching is an experience that will make a positive and fun difference in the players’ lives and your own.

We offer free ASEP coaching courses for interested volunteers. To find out more, please see the Volunteer Coaching flyer at champaignparks.com/coaching.

The flyer describes coaching timelines, recommended experience, and league information.
Then, fill out a Volunteer Application and turn it in. We would not be able to run our soccer program without volunteer coaches!

 
Volunteer Today >>

This Soccer Goal Safety and Education Policy (“Policy”) is adopted pursuant to the Illinois
Movable Soccer Goal Safety Act, also known as Zach’s Law, 430 ILCS 145/1, et seq. (the “Act”).
The Act requires the Champaign Park District to create a Policy to outline how it will specifically
address the safety issues associated with movable soccer goals.

For more information, please review the full policy.

 
Soccer Goal Safety and Education Policy >>