Parents
What is the commitment?
Soccer is a team game. It is difficult for a coach to run an effective squad without having full and consistent player attendance. This is one of the reasons why all games for 7U and above are MANDATORY. Coaches will be closely monitoring attendance. If you cannot commit yourself and your child(ren) to making most one-hour weekday games and most one-hour weekend games every week, then please consider signing them up another season when your schedule allows. There are many eager kids on our waitlist who would love to be playing. Thank you in advance for your consideration and cooperation on this front.
Are there tryouts?
There are no tryouts. Anyone who registers can play, unless we are at our capacity for field space. Read more about AYSO and the philosophy in our "About" section.
What about practice?
In keeping with Parks Department preference to give permit time to games over practices, we conduct mid-week games in between our official games. If you cannot commit to regularly taking your child to weekday games, then please do NOT register them.
What is my child’s game schedule?
How do I register my child?
Registration is done via InLeague. More information can be found on the Registration page.
Will someone tell me where to go and what to bring?
Yes. Your coach will reach out to you before the start of the season. You should also log in to InLeague once the schedules are released to see your team. Memorize your division and team number (ie. 8U team 2). Equipment needs are discussed below.
What division does my child play in?
Placement in divisions is automatically determined by the birthyear of the player. You can use the following information to match your child's BIRTH YEAR with the DIVISION they will be placed in for the upcoming season.
Age Division Guide
Note: ‘U’ stands for UNDER so, for example, a 7 year old kid is UNDER 8 (8U).
Fall ’25 and Fall ’25 Seasons
Birth Year 2021: U5
This is called the Jamboree. parents are involved with one professional coach leading the parents. The focus is on fun, and individual skills development. There are no organized games but there is a scrimmage at the end. There are no goalkeepers!
Birth Year 2020: U6
1/2 of the time is spent on individual skill development, and 1/2 half of the time is spent on a game of 3 field players per team.
Birth Year 2019: U7
Four-a-side games. 4 field players per team, no goalkeeper. Saturday is game day at your allotted time. There is one weekday game as arranged by the coach.
Birth Year 2018: U8
Four-a-side games. 4 field players per team, no goalkeeper. Saturday is game day at your allotted time. There is one weekday game as arranged by the coach.
Birth Year 2016–17: U10
Seven-a-side games. 6 field players and 1 goalkeeper per team. Saturday is game day at your allotted time. There is one weekday game as arranged by the coach.
Birth Year 2014–15: U12
Nine-a-side games. 8 field players and 1 goalkeeper per team. There is one weekday game as arranged by the coach.
Birth Year 2012–13: U14
Eleven-a-side games. 10 field players and 1 goalkeeper per team.
Birth Year 2007–11: U19
Eleven-a-side games. 10 field players and 1 goalkeeper per team.
Is there any special equipment required?
We will provide a uniform, including jersey, shorts, and socks. Shin guards are mandatory, and go under the socks. Youth shin guards are available online or from your local sports store such as BQ Sports (where we are pleased to be able to offer a 10% discount on all soccer equipment to GWYSL families). Absolutely no earrings earrings or taped-over earrings allowed.
What about cleats?
Please purchase Turf Soccer Shoes, not cleats. Turf shoes feature raised, dense, aggressive treads that are shallower than the blades or studs used on normal soccer cleats, and are much more effective on artificial grass as they are designed to interact uniformly with the turf surface. Traditional cleats, on the other hand, are designed to dig into the dirt and will rip up the artificial turf used on our fields, and are therefore not allowed. More importantly, the larger studs on cleats can become caught in turf surfaces, causing feet to stick and legs to twist unnaturally. This can cause serious muscular, tendon, and ligament injuries. And, maybe the only thing the kids will care about, turf shoes are much more comfortable to wear on artificial grass.
What about a ball?
5U–8U: size 3
10U, 12U: size 4
14U, 19U: size 5
Buy them at a local sports store or online.
Safety first! Put your ball in a bag. Remind your children, your coaches, and fellow parents: keep your soccer ball in a bag, not in your hands, and not in your child's hands, until you get to the park. Don't kick it anywhere near Kent Avenue. It's just not safe.
What about water?
Bring a water bottle filled with cool, refreshing water. It's hot in the fall and spring.
What is the weather policy?
Games can be canceled for weather in one of two ways:
The commissioner may cancel games via email with an hour’s notice if the weather forecast indicates to do so. Such a measure will be used sparingly.
For unforecasted conditions, referees may suspend individual matches.
We play in moderate rain if the temperature is above 50 degrees and it's not too windy. We do not play in the presence of thunder or lightning. If thunder is heard during a game, it is within striking distance. Games shall be immediately suspended and everyone should seek shelter immediately. Matches shall be restarted after no thunder or lightning has been detected for 30 minutes.
Good shelter is a genuine building like McCarren Pool or the BIP Fieldhouse. Examples of insufficient shelter include under a tree, or a tent, or storage shed, or near light posts, fences or flag poles.
Please Note: once a game has been CANCELLED, it will remain cancelled even if the weather changes.
Additionally:
Cancellations are made by designated officials ONLY. Coaches are not responsible for making game decisions regarding weather, EXCEPT in the case of lightning. Coaches DO make decisions regarding practice.
In the event of changing weather conditions, the game's REFEREE may postpone or cancel play; the referee will usually consult both coaches in this decision, except in cases of lightning.
In the event of heavy rain in the forecast, or snow, we may cancel the entire day; this will likely be done early morning on Saturday, unless the forecasted weather is so bad that we can cancel in good faith on Friday night.
We will do our best update the front page of our website with news about game cancellations 1 hour prior to game time, but for real-time weather and cancellation updates, follow us on Instagram @gwysl1328
Cold Weather Gear
In the colder weather it’s okay for players to have long sleeves, stockings, or sweatpants underneath, not over their uniforms. Team shirts, shorts, and socks (useful for identification of last to touch the ball) must be visible and worn over any other clothing. Gloves must be all fabric (no hard bits). Close-fitting cloth caps with no bobbles, brims, or dangling strings are permitted. All other hats, hoods or hoodies (worn or unworn), and scarfs are not permitted. Rather than wearing a lot of extra clothing, it’s often preferable for players to have easy on/off clothing available that they can add or remove as they come on or off the pitch.
Where do we play?
Games will be played at McCarren Park OR Bushwick Inlet Park.
The specific field layouts can be found on the field info page.
Bushwick Inlet Park
86 Kent Avenue
McCarren Park
776 Lorimer Street (between Bayard St. & Driggs Ave.)