2008 marked the first year that Region 87 ran a U5 Jamboree program. This program differed from the U6 program, allowing the younger players a more suitable environment for their introduction to soccer and organized sports. The Jamboree was conducted as follows:

No players are assigned to teams, and both boys and girls play together. Players and parents arrive at one field (location to be determined) at the same time each week. There will be a “Master Coach" who oversees the session. He/she will lead the players in warm ups, followed by a simple game(s), based upon soccer skills. This will constitute the first half of the session. The second half of the session will consist of splitting the players into "small sided" games (3v3, 4v4) and playing games with minimal instruction or officiating. This allows kids to play the game of soccer with total emphasis on fun and learning.

The bonus of this program to the parent is that your game time and location will be constant throughout the season. It will also allow you to participate in the skills game with your child, as well as enjoy watching your child play in games where they are matched with their peers. Please read the Jamboree Guidelines to learn more about the timing of the Jamboree session itself, and keep checking back here for more information on pre-season Jamborees, which will run in late August.

Feel free to contact Chief Coach, Patric McNeff with any questions chief-coach@ayso87.org.