About
Hayward Youth Soccer League offers recreational soccer, competitive soccer, spring recreational soccer, fall recreational soccer, tournaments, and an online coaching class. Recreational soccer is a pre-competitive program that prepares players, parents, and coaches for the tryout process and for teams to compete. Competitive soccer in this program is also known as “Club Soccer” or “Travel Soccer” in other states.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Competitive teams train a minimum of 2 times per week and sometimes 3 times per week for 1.5–2 hours each session, and recreational teams typically train 1–2 times per week for 1–1.5 hours each session; games are usually scheduled on Saturdays between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, with some makeup games on Sunday, and practices are typically held Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, usually from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm with older kids tending to go longer; the competitive game schedule runs from August to late October and then from February to April, the recreational fall season runs from the beginning of August to November, and the recreational spring season starts with daylight savings and ends around Memorial Day weekend.
• Price: Competitive soccer is more expensive than recreational soccer, recreational soccer usually remains very affordable, fall registration fee covers the uniform (jersey, shorts, and socks), there are no additional fees from the club, and a coach or team parent may ask to collect $20 that would go to trophies and a pizza party.
Recreational registration is currently closed, with signups for spring recreational soccer in November. Recreational home games are played in Hayward, and depending on age, games may be held in Hayward, Union City, or Newark. All U6 games are held at Impact Academy School (Darwin Field). Competitive game travel is normally within 45–60 minutes of Hayward and requires about 50% of games to be away games. Competitive teams usually attend or schedule 2 tournaments per season within the region, with all tournament fees funded by the parent, while recreational teams usually do not participate in tournaments. Recreational players are guaranteed to play about 50% of the game.
Competitive coaches are licensed with at least a USSF Grassroots license 7V7, 9V9, 11V11, or national D, and recreational coaches are typically parent volunteers who are just starting the process of being licensed. By signing up to be a coach and passing a fingerprint/background check, a person can choose practice days and times. The organization will reimburse the cost of an online coaching class after coaching for a year (fall and spring).
Competitive teams train with a strong emphasis on the technical ability and awareness of the player beginning around age 13. Competitive players are required to wear a training uniform to all training sessions and to purchase and wear both home and away game uniforms. Recreational players receive one game uniform from the club, and fall registration includes a jersey, shorts, and socks. Participants are required to purchase shin guards and soccer cleats. If buying a soccer ball, the recommended sizes are size 3 for ages 3–5, size 4 for ages 6–11, and size 5 for ages 12 and up. Practice attire for recreational players is any appropriate soccer clothing, including cleats, shin guards, socks, athletic shorts, and a t-shirt. Games are played rain or shine, and coaches are notified of any cancellations. Spring is a shorter season so that new members can get a feel for the game and see if they want to commit for fall or the competitive program. Recreational programs help players’ development, help players and parents understand the commitment of a competitive program, and help players create new friendships.
Last updated February 7, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Competitive teams train a minimum of 2 times per week and sometimes 3 times per week for 1.5–2 hours each session, and recreational teams typically train 1–2 times per week for 1–1.5 hours each session; games are usually scheduled on Saturdays between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, with some makeup games on Sunday, and practices are typically held Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, usually from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm with older kids tending to go longer; the competitive game schedule runs from August to late October and then from February to April, the recreational fall season runs from the beginning of August to November, and the recreational spring season starts with daylight savings and ends around Memorial Day weekend.
• Price: Competitive soccer is more expensive than recreational soccer, recreational soccer usually remains very affordable, fall registration fee covers the uniform (jersey, shorts, and socks), there are no additional fees from the club, and a coach or team parent may ask to collect $20 that would go to trophies and a pizza party.
Recreational registration is currently closed, with signups for spring recreational soccer in November. Recreational home games are played in Hayward, and depending on age, games may be held in Hayward, Union City, or Newark. All U6 games are held at Impact Academy School (Darwin Field). Competitive game travel is normally within 45–60 minutes of Hayward and requires about 50% of games to be away games. Competitive teams usually attend or schedule 2 tournaments per season within the region, with all tournament fees funded by the parent, while recreational teams usually do not participate in tournaments. Recreational players are guaranteed to play about 50% of the game.
Competitive coaches are licensed with at least a USSF Grassroots license 7V7, 9V9, 11V11, or national D, and recreational coaches are typically parent volunteers who are just starting the process of being licensed. By signing up to be a coach and passing a fingerprint/background check, a person can choose practice days and times. The organization will reimburse the cost of an online coaching class after coaching for a year (fall and spring).
Competitive teams train with a strong emphasis on the technical ability and awareness of the player beginning around age 13. Competitive players are required to wear a training uniform to all training sessions and to purchase and wear both home and away game uniforms. Recreational players receive one game uniform from the club, and fall registration includes a jersey, shorts, and socks. Participants are required to purchase shin guards and soccer cleats. If buying a soccer ball, the recommended sizes are size 3 for ages 3–5, size 4 for ages 6–11, and size 5 for ages 12 and up. Practice attire for recreational players is any appropriate soccer clothing, including cleats, shin guards, socks, athletic shorts, and a t-shirt. Games are played rain or shine, and coaches are notified of any cancellations. Spring is a shorter season so that new members can get a feel for the game and see if they want to commit for fall or the competitive program. Recreational programs help players’ development, help players and parents understand the commitment of a competitive program, and help players create new friendships.
Last updated February 7, 2026.
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