FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What are the age groups?
A: The age groups we offer range from u4 recreation to u23 professional development. The "u" means "under", so u4 is for players under the age of four at time of signup. See below for more info about age groups.
Q: Where does AYSL play?
A: All practices and home games are played at the Poor Farm Park soccer fields
Q: What League do Ashland teams play in?
A: Our Early Development programs, First Step (u5) & LEAP (u6-u8), are trained in a big group. First Step does not play games yet, but LEAP plays weekly games on Sundays at 1pm. New teams are formed on a weekly basis for fun an balanced in-house games. We also have a u10 House League were AYSL teams face up against each other every Sunday at 2:30pm. All of our recreation teams currently participate in the RVA Cross League against recreation teams from around the Richmond metro region. Cross league games are played on Saturday & Sundays throughout the Fall & Spring seasons. Our travel teams play in the ADSL(u9-u11) & NPL South(u13+)
Q: How much does it cost to play for AYSL?
A: We are proud to offer high quality programs at these family-friendly prices;
FALL 2024
September-November
First Step (u4/u5)
$50
LEAP (u6-u8)
$150
u10 House League (u9/u10)
$110
Cross League Teams (u12-u18)
$110-$160
note: cross league teams are formed based on demand for each age group approximately 30 days prior to the season
Friday Night Skills (x8 Sessions) $150
u7/u8 Junior Academy $850
u9 Boys Travel $1250
u10 Boys Travel $1250
u9/u10 Girls Travel $250
u11 Boys Travel $1250
u13 Boys Travel $1000
u15 Boys Travel $1250
WINTER 2024-25
December-February
Junior Futsal Academy (u6) $150
u8 Coed Futsal $190
u9 Boys Futsal $300
u10 Boys Futsal $300
u10 Girls Futsal $300
u12 Boys Futsal $300
u12 Girls Futsal $300
(Financial aid is also available - see below)
Q: What equipment do players need?
A: Players should always wear soccer cleats, shin guards and athletic clothing. Players should always bring water and a soccer ball. u4-u6 Size 3 | u7-u12 Size 4 | u13+ Size 5
Q: What are the Uniform details?
A: All AYSL players should wear black socks and black shorts(without pockets). Players in First Step (u4-u6) & LEAP (u7/u8) will receive a free t-shirt for practices and games. Players in the u10 house league & u12, u16, u19 Cross league teams need a red shirt and a white shirt (same as the fall). Our u14 Cross league team will receive info about the required uniforms before the season begins. Tournament teams will wear same uniforms as the fall. Our uniform supplier for 2024-25 is Soccer.com
Q: Does AYSL have travel teams?
A: Yes, our u9-u12 travel teams play in the Advanced Development Soccer League & u13+ teams play in the VA Premier Soccer League(NPL South).
Q: How long as AYSL been around for?
A: AYSL was founded by Tony Santos in the 1980s. The club first played at Gandy Elementary School before clearing trees and grading land to build new soccer fields at Poor Farm Park. When the club first arrived at PFP, games were played on a field near the amphitheater in the rear of the park. Then when the front fields were installed thanks to a big community effort, and the program moved in...and we have been playing there ever since!
Q: How do I become a volunteer coach?
A: In order to volunteer, you must login in register on our website [buttons on the top of this page] then sign up for the division you would like to coach in. When multiple coaches sign up, the club generally follows a first come first serve approach for coach placements. The club also reserves the right to be selective with coaches in order to ensure that all coaches are well aligned with the program’s goals. If selected to coach, you will receive instructions at the beginning of the season about how to submit your background check and SafeSport Certification through GotSport. Any coaches who fail to register, fail to complete safesport, fail to submit a background check, or violate the club’s code of conduct may be prohibited from coaching at the discretion of AYSL's Board of Directors.
Q: What is the relationship between Ashland Town FC & Ashland Youth Soccer League?
A: We operate AYSL & Ashland Town FC together to effectively serve local soccer players with various levels of competition. The key difference is that AYSL exists primarily for children to enjoy the game at a grassroots level while learning life lessons. The objectives of AYSL are achieved by promoting, developing, and providing the opportunity for children to play organized soccer. ATFC's aim is to identify, train and develop local players to compete at the highest levels of play possible. Originally, AYSL was formed primarily for youth players while ATFC began as a competitive adult team. In essence, AYSL is grassroots recreational soccer, always open for everyone, while ATFC offers a competitive pathway where players from Ashland can challenge themselves against high level opponents from around the region, and pursue higher levels of play such as semi-pro, collegiate, or even professional soccer.
Q: Does AYSL offer financial assistance?
A: Yes - our website has more info under the
'Fees & Financial Aid' tab.
Still have questions? Please contact [email protected]
AGE GROUPS
First Step Soccer
Ages: 3-4
u4, u5
Birth Years 2020, 2021
Little Engines (LEAP) OR u8 Pre-Travel
Ages 6-7
u7, u8
Birth Years 2016, 2017
AYSL u10 House League OR u10 Tournament Team (Zedaker)
u9: 2015s
u10: 2014s
AYSL u12 Cross League Team OR u12 Tournament Team (Hubbard)
u11: 2013s
u12: 2012s
AYSL u14 Cross League Team OR u14 Tournament Team (Gill)
u13: 2011s
u14: 2010s
AYSL u16 Cross League Team
u15: 2009s
u16: 2008s
AYSL u19 Cross League Team
u17: 2007s
u18: 2006s
u19: 2005s
SPRING 2024
PROGRAMS OFFERED
*REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 1*
ANY REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED AFTER MARCH 1 ARE SUBJECT TO $25 LATE FEE
(NEW!) First Step Soccer
Ages 3-5
(Birth Years 2018, 2019, & 2020)
Director: Liam Hogan
Fee: $110
LEAP
Ages 6 & 7
(Birth Years 2017 & 2016)
Director: Liam Hogan
Fee: $150
u8 Pre-Travel
Ages 6 & 7
(Birth Years 2017 & 2016)
Coach: Liam Hogan
Fee: $275
u10 House League Recreation
Ages 8 & 9
(Birth Years 2014 & 2015)
Fee: $100
(NEW!) u12 Cross League Recreation
Ages 10 & 11
(Birth Years 2012 & 2013)
Fee: $100
(NEW!) u14 Cross League Recreation: Ages 12 & 13
(Birth Years 2010 & 2011)
Fee: $100
u16 Cross League Recreation: Ages 14 & 15
(Birth Years 2008 & 2009)
Fee: $100
u19 Cross League Recreation: Ages 16, 17, & 18
(Birth Years 2005, 2006, & 2007)
Fee: $100
Tournament Teams
u10, u12, u14
Fee: $220
Tournament Team Director: Jason Gil
Please Note: Registration is not open yet for tournament teams. Contact your coach for more info about conditioning and tournament plans.
Friday Night Skills Training
u8-u19
(Birth years 2015 to 2008)
Fee: $150
Paid coaches
Open to all local youth players
Balanced training groups will be formed based on ages and skill levels of players
Practices on Fridays at Poor Farm Park
3/22, 3/29, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17
6:00-7:45pm
Spring Break Day Camp
u8-u16
Save the dates: April 1 - April 4
More info coming soon
General AYSL Info:
Founded in the 1980s, Ashland Youth Soccer League has provided a fun, safe & impactful environment for kids to learn teamwork, discipline, and various other positive values through soccer for more than three decades.
We are a community focused, grassroots soccer club that serves around 200 families from the Town of Ashland & Western Hanover County. AYSL is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and we are powered by numerous volunteers.
We hold all of our outdoor practices on fields that were originally cleared. leveled, & seeded by AYSL in the 1980s at the beautiful Poor Farm Park. PFP is located behind Patrick Henry High School, just 8 minutes west of the heart of Ashland, VA.
The two primary seasons of play are in Fall(Sep-Nov) & Spring (Mar-May)
Program Leadership
President: Liam Hogan
Vice President: Vacant
Registrar: Diane Kellogg
Treasurer: Angela Gilbert
Secretary: Vacant
Board Member: Jason Gill
Board Member: Kelli White
Board Member: Marshall Hubbard
Board Member: Vacant
Board Member: Vacant
The Board will meet in Downtown Ashland in the evening on the 3rd Thursday of every month in 2024 and meetings are open to all members of Ashland Youth Soccer League (parents, coaches, volunteers, alumni)
Please send any questions to [email protected]
We are excited to offer a variety of existing and new programs and we hope to see a great turnout at Poor Farm this Spring for another great soccer season!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR SPRING 2024
*REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 1*
ANY REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED AFTER MARCH 1 ARE SUBJECT TO $25 LATE FEE