Discover the excitement of soccer with the Champaign Park District’s dynamic soccer programs! Whether your child is a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced player aiming to sharpen their skills, our programs offer something for everyone. With a focus on teamwork and sportsmanship, participants will enjoy a supportive and fun environment. Sign up today and kick-start your soccer journey with the Champaign Park District!
CPD Youth Soccer Leagues
Youth Fall Soccer Leagues
K-8th graders (VOLUNTEER COACHES NEEDED!)
Learn hard work, teamwork, and social skills while having a great time! The leagues focus on fun, sportsmanship, fundamental instruction, and opportunity. All players will receive approximately equal playing time, minimum 50% playing time. Each league uses soccer balls, goals, and fields proportional to their age as recommended by the U.S. Youth Soccer. All teams will play six officiated games on Saturdays or on weeknights (depending on the league). Older ages (3rd grade+) will also play in an end of season tournament.
Uniform Fees: 2 team jerseys $14/each; shorts $8; socks $4. Purchase of uniform items needs to be done at Leonhard Recreation Center. Email will go out when uniforms are available for purchase.
Practices: Expectations on practices is once a week, although older age groups may go twice a week. Practice days are usually Tuesday or Thursday nights, starting no earlier than 5:15p.
Games: Games are played Saturdays or a weeknight (depending on the league). Make-up games may potentially be played on Tuesday or Thursday evenings.
Location: Dodds Soccer Complex. Exception: Grades 3rd-8th may also play games in Urbana.
Team Placement: Team placement will be done by the CPD Sports Staff. Requests for specific teams, coaches, or practice times/locations WILL NOT be accepted. However, completed Buddy Forms will be honored. Buddy Forms are available online or at the Leonhard Recreation Center.
Volunteer Coaches Needed: Check the Champaign Park District volunteer page on our website at champaignparks.org for information about becoming a volunteer coach. Then, fill out a Volunteer Application and turn it in. We would not be able to run this program without volunteer coaches.
Questions: cameron.walls@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3983
Illinois FC Soccer Programs
Illinois FC Micro Soccer
Ages 3-7
Illinois FC and the Champaign Park District offer Micro Soccer for our youngest athletes. Players should bring a soccer ball (preferably size 3), water bottle, and shin guards to each session. Soccer cleats are optional. All players receive a free t-shirt. For more details on Illinois FC Micro Soccer, visit www.illinoisfc.com.
IFC First Kicks Soccer: The 3-year-old class introduces players to soccer in a fun-filled learning environment. Games and activities promote soccer skill and overall athletic development.
Pre-K Micro Soccer: The 4-5 year old classes introduce players to dribbling, passing, shooting, and coordination and body movement activities in a fun-filled environment. Games and practice activities promote soccer skills and overall athletic development.
Kindergarten Micro Soccer: The 5-6 year old classes prepare kids for the Youth Soccer League. Focus is on helping each player reach their potential in a fun-filled and challenging environment. Dribbling, passing, shooting, ball control, decision-making, and creativity are emphasized.
Team play is fostered through group exercises and small-sided matches.
Illinois FC Soccer Academy: The 6-7 year old class is for players who are looking for a more challenging playing environment. The intent of the academy is to create a bridge between the recreational player and competitive player.
Challenger British Soccer Camp
Ages 3-14
Challenger British Soccer Camps provide young players of all abilities with the rare opportunity to receive high-level soccer coaching from a team of international experts right in the heart of their own community. Campers will be exposed to individual foot skills, technical drills, tactical practices, small-sided games, and scrimmages. Soccer skills are coached within a framework of character development based on respect, responsibility, integrity, leadership and sportsmanship. We offer a cultural education too! Our ever-popular Camp World Cup Tournament allows us to introduce players to the geography, traditions, and culture of other great soccer-playing countries.
Resources
- Buddy Form
- Player Evaluations (for coaches)
- Champaign Neighborhood Soccer Fields
- 2023 Youth Soccer Handbook
- Dodds Soccer Complex Map
- Sports Manager Contact: Justice Miller — justice.miller@champaignparks.org
Soccer Goal Safety and Education Policy
This Soccer Goal Safety and Education Policy (“Policy”) is adopted pursuant to the Illinois Movable Soccer Goal Safety Act, also known as Zach’s Law, 430 ILCS 145/1, et seq. (the “Act”). The Act requires the Champaign Park District to create a Policy to outline how it will specifically address the safety issues associated with movable soccer goals.
For more information, please review the full policy.
Volunteer Coaches Needed!
The foundation of our Youth Soccer Program is our Volunteer Coaches. Coaching is an experience that will make a positive and fun difference in the players’ lives and your own.
We offer free ASEP coaching courses for interested volunteers. To find out more, please see the Volunteer Coaching flyer. The flyer describes coaching timelines, recommended experience, and league information.
Then, fill out a Volunteer Application and turn it in. We would not be able to run our soccer program without volunteer coaches!
