UC Santa Barbara’s men’s and women’s soccer squads are set to welcome youngsters to Girsh Park in Goleta on August 15 for the annual AYSO Skills Day, a free community clinic that invites AYSO‑affiliated players and coaches to sharpen their game.
The day will be split into two age‑specific windows: children in the under‑5 to under‑8 bracket will gather from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., while older participants from under‑10 through under‑18 will take the field from 10:30 a.m. until noon, each session tailored to developmental stages.
Beyond drills, the event promises a festive atmosphere with face painting, photo booths and prize giveaways, turning a skills workshop into a family‑friendly celebration of the sport.
Later in the fall, the university will host Parade Nights on October 10 and 14, giving AYSO teams a chance to march before their collegiate matches against Cal Poly on the men’s side and UC Irvine on the women’s side, with free admission extended to spectators.
The Junior Gauchos program returns for the 2026‑27 academic year, offering fans in sixth grade and below a $75 package that includes exclusive experiences and promotional items, deepening the university’s connection to its youngest supporters.
A Tradition That Keeps Growing
Now in its second decade, the AYSO Skills Day has become a staple of the Santa Barbara youth soccer calendar, reflecting the university’s ongoing commitment to nurture local talent and foster community engagement while preparing the next generation of Gauchos for the upcoming season.