Youth Soccer in the East Bay: A Parent’s Guide

Getting a child started in a new sport like soccer can be as easy as 1-2-3. Here’s a guide to youth soccer for East Bay parents whose goal is to give their children the opportunity to try soccer. See what I did there?

Big thanks to 24-7 UK Soccer Academy for sponsoring our guide to kids soccer in the East Bay. 24-7 UK Soccer Academy is a professional sports organization operating in Alameda, Castro Valley, Hayward, Montclair, Oakland, Piedmont, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, and more East Bay locations. They’ve got plenty of advice for us below.

The experts at 24-7 UK Soccer Academy coached us on these tips. 

Here’s how to begin your child’s goal-scoring journey in 3 easy steps — dribble, shoot, and score!

Dribble: Pique their interest in soccer

Is your child poised to be the next Alex Morgan or Lionel Messi? You never know until you put a soccer ball in front of them first! Take it to the park. Get fancy and buy some small cones or goalposts that you can play around with. The foundation is having fun.

Whether it’s kicking a soccer ball around in the backyard for the first time with a parent, playing with friends, or later engaging in more structured games, activities, camps, or clinics, the path can begin at a young age by simply offering contact with the ball.

Shoot: Raise their skill level

Is your child ready for Step 2? When running circles around mom or dad has run its course, and your child is ready for organized group activities, a class with an experienced coach teaching a proven curriculum will help them further love the game. Young, budding footballers tend to enjoy soccer more when they are taught the fundamentals correctly. Your child will build their confidence in classes and advance their level in short-side scrimmages.

Classes that lead up to scrimmages will prepare your child to join a recreational soccer team or league. We have listed the local leagues at the bottom of this guide. (Jump there >)

Score: Find a soccer class in the East Bay that is right for your family

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take so this is your opportunity to score by signing your child for the class that is right for them. We’ve compiled a list of available classes below. Remember, there are no bad choices — lace up your boots, have fun and we’ll see you out on the pitch.

24-7 UK Soccer Academy (Alameda, Castro Valley, Hayward, Montclair, Oakland, Piedmont, San Leandro, San Lorenzo)

24-7 UK Soccer Academy training camps and activities are offered for children ages 5 to 19 with any experience level. Younger players enjoy additional engaging activities. More experienced players benefit from specialized goalkeeper camps and preseason skills sessions. 24-7 UK Soccer Academy offers a wide variety of training programs for novice, recreational, and competitive players. Find a class or team >>

*Save 20% on any 24-7 UK Soccer Academy 2024 Summer Camp with code 510SUMMER2024 Expires 9/1/24

*excludes camps registered in Piedmont through the Piedmont Recreation Department (PRD).

Youth Soccer Classes Around the East Bay

ABSC (Albany and Berkeley)

The Albany Berkeley Soccer Club runs a large recreational program for kids 3.5 to 23 of all levels. ABSC uses fields in Albany and Berkeley for games, practices, and camps. Get details on registration dates >>

Lil’ Kickers (SoFive in Alameda)

The Lil’ Kickers soccer program uses soccer to help children ages 18 months to 9 years tackle important developmental milestones through age-appropriate and fun-filled activities. More than one million kids have participated in Lil’ Kickers across the country. Join anytime. Learn more about registration >>

Soccer Shots (throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties)

Soccer Shots offers programs for kids 2-8, tailored to their developmental stage.  Classes are for specific age windows and meet at a variety of locations around Oakland and Berkeley. See if a Soccer Shots class is starting soon near you >

Super Soccer Stars (Multiple locations)

These weekly classes are all over the Bay Area for kids 1 to 12. For 40-60 minutes, kids will learn the basics of dribbling and shooting in a non-competitive environment. Currently in Piedmont, El Cerrito, and Berkeley locations. Find a nearby class >

Soccer 2gether (Berkeley)

With classes and camps for ages 5 to 12, Soccer 2gether teaches soccer skills in session-based classes. See the schedule >

SkyHawks’ Soccer Tots (Orinda-ish)

In addition to soccer classes called “Soccer Tots”, SkyHawks offers session-based classes for preschoolers and elementary school-aged kids and introduces multiple sports “SuperTots Sports Medley” to keep things interesting. One reader said of the soccer, basketball, and baseball class, “My 4-year-old learned so much and each section was three weeks so he didn’t get bored.” Learn more here >>

East Bay Soccer Camps for Kids

Soccer and multi-sports camps are for soccer players of many ability levels. 24-7 Soccer Academy is running recreational fun camps, competitive technical training camps, goalkeeper camps, and adaptive learning soccer camps in the summer of 2024 in lots of East Bay locations: Alameda, Castro Valley, Hayward, Montclair, Oakland, Piedmont, San Leandro, San Lorenzo.

Look for a multi-sports program like the one at Cal or a dedicated soccer camp like 24-7 UK Soccer Academy, Footfire, or ABSC. Find more soccer summer camps here >>

East Bay Soccer Leagues for Recreational and Competitive Teams

Being in the know about youth soccer doesn’t have to be difficult. The best defense is a good offense so we recommend joining the email list of the league you would like to remind you. Or add it to your family calendar right now!

24-7 UK Soccer Academy (Alameda, Castro Valley, Hayward, Montclair, Oakland, Piedmont, San Leandro, San Lorenzo)
ABSC (Albany/Berkeley)
Alameda Soccer Club
Association Football Club (AFC)
Cal Magic Soccer Club (Orinda)
Castro Valley Soccer Club
Clippers FC (Oakland) (formerly Montclair Soccer Club)
Diablo Valley Football Club (Concord)
East Bay United/Bay Oaks Soccer Club (Alameda/Oakland/Emeryville)
Eastshore Alliance FC (formerly Mavericks) (Albany/Berkeley)
Girls Leading Goals (Oakland)
Mustang Soccer League (Danville)
Oakland Soccer Club
Piedmont Soccer Club
SoFive (Alameda) formerly Bladium
Surf Soccer Club (Walnut Creek)

And be sure to see the relatively COPA facility in Walnut Creek. This facility offers some of the best facilities in the country for youth players!

Where to buy soccer gear (new and used)

Soccer Post in Alameda or Lafayette
Soccer Pro in Berkeley or Dublin
Sports Basement in Berkeley or Walnut Creek

Follow 24-7 UK Soccer Academy & Learn More

Save 20% with code 510SUMMER2024 on any Summer 2024 Recreational fun camps, Competitive technical training camps, or Goalkeeper camps in Castro Valley, Hayward, Oakland, or Montclair (Expires 9/1/24 excludes camps registered in Piedmont through Piedmont Recreation Department).

Visit the 24-7 Website for current information about upcoming camps and activities, advice on training sessions, and tips and tricks for coaches and players. Stay tuned with 24-7 for details of new camps for Summer 2024 at 24-7’s brand new Indoor Training Facility!
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Root for the Bay Area professional soccer teams

Cheering for a live sports team can be a motivator for would-be footballers. In 2024, kids can enjoy watching Bay FC, the new women’s professional soccer team in the South Bay, and the Oakland Roots here in Oakland.

Big thanks to 24-7 UK Soccer Academy for sponsoring our guide to youth soccer in the East Bay. Soccer programs and clubs are running year-round. Register now for summer programs in Oakland, Piedmont, Castro Valley, Hayward, Alameda, and more East Bay locations.