1. How will I know if games are cancelled due to weather?

ABYSA makes every effort to try and post weather announcements by 7:00 AM for morning games and by 11:00 AM for afternoon games, on game day. If it is evident that Saturday games will need to be cancelled on Friday, we will make the announcement then.  Notices will be posted online at www.abysa.org.  Look for the weather section on the right hand side of the site.  Info can also be found by calling the weather hotline at 828-299-7277; however, call volume can make it hard to get through.   The best way is to go to the website.  The referee always has the final say as to whether a game will be played once teams are at the field.

2. How can my child receive additional training and skill development?

ABYSA offers several opportunities for advancement for highly motivated players.  ABYSA runs a soccer camp program throughout the year (Spring Break, summer, and winter camps available).  In the U9 and U10 age groups, players have the opportunity to participate in the Academy Program where the emphasis is on technical skill development and training is provided by our professional coaching staff.  The ABYSA Challenge and Classic programs are available on a try-out basis for qualified players wishing to advance in a professional training environment and compete against teams from outside the Asheville area.

3. What additional equipment does my child need?

All players will receive a uniform from ABYSA.  The only other equipment needed is shin guards and cleats.  Cleats are optional.  Shin guards can be purchased anywhere that sporting equipment is sold. ABYSA highly recommends the purchase of an age appropriate sized ball.

4. When will I know about my child’s practice schedule?

ABYSA’s goal is for everyone to be contacted by their coach one week after our coaches meeting, so that in theory, everyone has the opportunity to practice for 3 weeks before the first game.  In reality, when practice begins is contingent on identifying a volunteer coach. The Recreation program uses volunteer coaches for every one of its 220+ teams.  There are some situations where we are still recruiting coaches during the first week of practice, but this is rare, and usually few participants are affected. Coaching in our program is as fun and rewarding as playing, and no soccer background is necessary. We will provide you with all the information you will need to make recreation soccer a fun and rewarding experience for every child!

U5 and U6 teams are Saturday only programs and there is no practice before the first play date.  Each play date consists of a practice and game in the one hour time slot.  Schedules will be posted 7-10 days before the first play date.

5. Where are my child’s recreation soccer games played?

The U5 age group plays at the Asheville Indoor Soccer Center on the property of the Crown Plaza Hotel.  The U6 and U7 age groups play at the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex (JBL) at Azalea Park.  The U8 and Older age groups play at either JBL or the Buncombe County Sports Park (BCSP) in Enka.  Other facilities that we may use on an as needed basis are Glen Arden Elementary (Arden), N. Buncombe Park (Weaverville), Steen’s Field (Mars Hill), and Black Mountain Park.  Due thier exceptional quality, we are committed to hosting as many of our games as possible at JBL and BCSP.

ASC- Asheville Soccer Center
JBL- John B. Lewis Soccer Complex
BCSP- Buncombe County Soccer Complex
NBP- North Buncombe Park
SF- Steen’s Field

6. Do you have to live in Asheville/Buncombe County to participate?

Absolutely not, we have many players participate from Henderson, Transylvania, Haywood, Yancey, Madison and McDowell Counties.

7. Are there family discounts?

Yes, there is a $10 discount for the third and every child after registered in our program.

8. Where will my child practice?

When registering your child you will pick a high school district that is most convenient to your family.  You will practice at a school or facility within that school district.  Each coach is assigned to a practice space based equipment needs, field sizes and the coaches schedule.  The U5 and U6 Programs are Saturday only programs.  For this age you have your practice and game on the same day during your time slot.

9. How often will my child practice?

Teams practice once or twice during the week.  Practice times vary depending on available sun light and run one hour to one hour and a half.

10. What days are games played?

ABYSA will hold most of each team’s games on Saturdays.  There will be times where other ABYSA programs will hold weekend events which will require that some recreation games be played during the week, in the evenings. We will make an effort to see that teams have no more than two regularly scheduled weekday games per season.

11. What age group is my child in?

Your age group is determined by your age on August 1st (with the U meaning under).  You stay in that age group till August 1st of the next year so that everyone ages up together.  To identify your child’s age group click here.

12. Can my child play up/down from their age group?

To allow children to participate with their classmates or to facilitate those who may be more physically mature for their age, ABYSA allows any player who desires to play up one age group to do so by selecting that on their registration.  For the safety and enjoyment of all of our participants, players are not allowed to play up more than one year without  approval from the Director of our Recreation Program .  United States Youth Soccer Association regulations prohibit children playing in age groups younger than their true age.