Recreational soccer is the place where everyone gets their start. Whether it’s with a U.S. Youth Soccer affiliated program like LYSA or a church league like I Am Third, the most important thing is to get your kids out there playing and having fun. You’ll have some fun as well.
LEXINGTON
LYSA, www.lysa.org: Since 1980, the Lexington Youth Soccer Association, a non-profit organization, has run recreational soccer programs for the city of Lexington. LYSA’s board oversees youth recreational programs, a select program (Lexington F.C.) and a special needs program (TOPS). Fall and Spring seasons. Age divisions beginning at Under 4. Girls only divisions beginning at Under 8. USSF officials used in U8 and up. Coaches are parent volunteers. Fees vary by age division. Practices are held at coach’s convenience at locations around Lexington. Games are played in and near Masterson Station Park. (Disclosure: Soccer in the Bluegrass founders are affiliated with LYSA).
I Am Third, www.centenarylex.com/soccer: I Am Third is a church affiliated program through Centenary, a United Methodist church. Age divisions from four years old through 8th grade. Coaches are parent and church volunteers. Games and practices held in two locations, Lexington Christian Academy’s campus and Centenary’s own soccer fields located off Athens-Boonesboro Road.
Upward Soccer, http://ibclex.com/groups/upward-sports/: Upward soccer is a church affiliated soccer league through Immanuel Baptist Church for ages 4 through 8th grades. Players must attend an evaluation session for team placement for fall seasons. Coaches are parent and church volunteers. Practices and games are held at the church.
YMCA, www.ymcacky.org/youthsoccer: The YMCA offers soccer for ages 3 to 14 in the fall and spring. Costs vary depending on whether you’re a YMCA member. A few Lexington middle schools field teams in the YMCA league in the spring. Coaches are parent volunteers and a few seasonal staffers. Games and practices held at various YMCA locations, Mount Tabor Park and Southland Christian Church’s main campus on Harrodsburg Road.
Faith 1st: Christ the King School offers soccer for pre-K through fourth grade. Learn more at http://ctkschool.net/athletics/faith-1st-sports
Kentucky Indoor, kyindoor.com/: Kentucky Indoor Soccer and Sports offers a venue for soccer teams to fill in the gap between outdoor seasons or year-round. U8 to adult teams must be pre-existing. Coaches sign up for leagues. Teams formed for U5 and U6 for Goal Getters leagues during winter. There are two 8 game winter sessions each year. You can sign up for one or both.
Futsal leagues: Futsal is a variant of soccer played with a heavier ball and usually on a basketball court or a turf surface indoors, but unlike indoor soccer, walls do not keep the ball in play. There are a couple of standing winter leagues for existing teams looking to stay sharp over the winter in Lexington.
- Skills SC/Next Level, http://www.nextlevellex.com/: Skills SC/Next Level offers select and recreational futsal for ages U8 to U12. Play is at Kentucky Baskeball Academy, Next Level and Kentucky Indoor. There are two winter sessions each year. You can sign up for one or both.
- Lexington Futsall League, http://csc-ky.com/futsal/: Commonwealth Soccer Club runs a futsal league for pre-existing teams in ages U8 through U19. Games are played at the Imani Family Life Center on Georgetwon Road.
TOPS – The Outreach Program for Soccer: TOPS is a program of the U.S. Soccer Association run locally by LYSA. The aim: to provide players ages four and older with disabilities an environment filled with meaningful learning, developmental and physical participation opportunities through the game of soccer. The community-based soccer program emphasizes player participation and development. It is designed to improve the overall fitness, self-esteem and social skills of the athletes, taking them from “the sidelines into the game.” Click here for more information.
CLARK COUNTY
Winchester Youth Soccer League, http://www.winchesterysl.com/home.html: The WYSL has divisions from U4 to U12 and plays its games at its Kroger Soccer Complex, 2583 Van Meter Road, Winchester, KY. Coaches are volunteers. Teams in U12 and up play in the Bluegrass Recreational Soccer League against teams from other Central Kentucky counties. It’s affiliated club team for advanced players is F.C. Kentucky.
JESSAMINE COUNTY
Jessamine Youth Soccer Association, http://www.jysa.org/: JYSA field teams from ages U4 through U16. Games are played at John Preece Park, Bell Park and City/County Park. Coaches are volunteers. Teams in U12 and up play in the Bluegrass Recreational Soccer League against teams from other Central Kentucky counties. Its affiliated club for advanced players is the Central Kentucky Storm.
YMCA, www.ymcacky.org/youthsoccer: The YMCA offers soccer for ages 4 to 14 in the fall and spring. Costs vary depending on whether you’re a YMCA member. Coaches are parent volunteers and a few seasonal staffers. Practices at Centennial Park or Jessamine County YMCA or Southland Christian Church. Games at Southland Christian Church.
MADISON COUNTY
Madison United Soccer Association, http://www.musasoccer.com/default.aspx?portalid=12561: MUSA has co-ed and girls only teams. Co-ed starts at U4, girls only starts at U8. Divisions go through U14. U12 and U14 play in a travel league with other county organizations. Coaches are volunteers. Teams in U12 and up play in the Bluegrass Recreational Soccer League against teams from other Central Kentucky counties. Its games are played at the Lake Reba complex and the Berea Parks and Rec. fields. Its affiliated club for advanced players is the MUSA Flyers.
SCOTT COUNTY
Georgetown Football Club, http://www.georgetownfc.com/, GFC offers recreational co-ed soccer from ages 4 to 18. Teams in U12 and up play in the Bluegrass Recreational Soccer League against teams from other Central Kentucky counties. Coaches are volunteers. Games are played at the GFC Complex, 564 Lisle Road. Its affiliated club is also its parent organization, Georgetown F.C.
YMCA, www.ymcacky.org/youthsoccer: The YMCA offers soccer for ages 3 to 11 in the fall and spring. Costs vary depending on whether you’re a YMCA member. Coaches are parent volunteers and a few seasonal staffers. Games and practices at 1648 Georgetown Road.
WOODFORD COUNTY
Woodford Youth Soccer, http://www.woodfordyouthsoccer.com/: WYSA offers soccer from ages U4 through U19. Teams in U12 and up play in the Bluegrass Recreational Soccer League against teams from other Central Kentucky counties. Coaches are volunteers. Practice locations up to each coach. Games are played at the WYSA Complex, 126 Kuhlman Blvd. Versailles, KY. Its affiliated club for advanced players is Bluegrass F.C.
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