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AYSO REGION 459 SHELBY-UTICA-MACOMB

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Everyone Plays In our Community  (EPIC)
EPIC is currently comprised of two teams (we are willing to add more!).
All of our players are athletes who have special qualities such as autism, down syndrome, physical limitations and other challenges.  


Spring 2025 Season Registration is happening now!

Please click the registration button at the very bottom of this page.
  

EPIC registration runs like a school year.   

Included in registration are the following:
6 - weeks of Fall Play (weather permitting)
6 - weeks of Spring Play (weather permitting)
Soccer Kit --jersey, shorts and socks  **shin guards not included**
Spring Picnic -- play, food and trophies


Fall Play begins the Sunday after Labor Day
Spring Play begins the Sunday after April 15th (or Easter whichever is later)

All play is conducted on Sundays from 1 - 2pm at Macomb Corners Park.
30 minutes of Skill Development
30 minutes of Play

Parents are expected to remain in attendance and encouraged to sign up as a buddy to be on the playing field.

What is AYSO EPIC?

The mission of the AYSO EPIC Program is to provide athletes with disabilities the additional support they need to fully participate in a quality soccer experience.  The ultimate goal of the AYSO EPIC Program is to provide a holistic AYSO experience for players, families, and volunteers, from team uniforms, to playing on a team, to cheering from the sidelines, for all participants.

EPIC & How it Relates to AYSO’s Six Philosophies

The AYSO EPIC Program is designed to give children and adults a soccer experience that incorporates the six AYSO Philosophies:

Everyone Plays: In EPIC, Everyone Plays without regard for their disability.

Balanced Teams: Teams are created to maximize opportunities for player participation in age-appropriate groups for maximum player safety and experience.

Open Registration: The EPIC Program is open for all athletes with disabilities from ages 4-99. There are no try-outs, and all players are welcome.

Positive Coaching: Players’ efforts are recognized and encouraged toward achieving their personal goals. The use of EPIC Buddies may support players during the game and create an additional element of positive coaching and support.

Player Development: Players are afforded opportunities to play the ball helping them to build on previously learned skills. Family members are involved in learning soccer fundamentals to support the development of their players. Players are encouraged to participate in physical movement at their individual level to help them maximize their physicality.

Good Sportsmanship: Players learn the importance of teamwork and fair play by recognizing and celebrating the efforts of all team members. Family members are also encouraged to model good sportsmanship by cheering from the sidelines for all players.

What is an EPIC Buddy?

EPIC Buddies assist during the games in which players learn soccer while meeting new friends, having fun and increasing skills and self-esteem. Players and their families, along with our volunteers, enjoy the complete AYSO experience – team uniforms, scoring goals, cheering from the sidelines, and beyond! The vision of the AYSO EPIC Program is to create teams in every AYSO Region to maximize opportunities for EPIC player participation.

REGISTER TO BECOME A BUDDY BY CLICKING THE TEAM PERSONNEL LISTING REGISTRATION BUTTON BELOW.


Please contact Nicole Sass, AYSO EPIC Administrator, at [email protected] if you have any questions.







Team Personnel Listing

Register Now

EPIC-SPECIAL NEEDS 2024 FALL & 2025 SPRING SEASONS

Assistant Coach 
Head Coach 
EPIC Buddy - Adult 
EPIC Buddy - Youth 

Registration Listing

EPIC-SPECIAL NEEDS 2024 FALL & 2025 SPRING SEASONS

The AYSO Everyone Plays In our Community (EPIC) Program provides a quality soccer experience for children and adults whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams. EPIC teams may include:
  • Blind or visually impaired
  • Amputees or with conditions that impair mobility
  • Mentally or emotionally challenged
  • Autistic
  • Down syndrome
  • Cerebral Palsy

EPIC Goals
We recognize that all people need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. The EPIC Program offers that acceptance and carries our philosophy of Everyone Plays® to new heights - giving everyone a chance to play.

Kids with Special Needs are estimated to make up approximately 10% of the school-aged population and approximately 20% of the United States population is identified as having some type of disability. Special schools and programs can be isolating, so the EPIC Program has been structured to integrate our players into the rest of AYSO by providing a soccer season, and in some cases, using "buddies" - able bodied helpers - to assist players who need assistance, both on and off the field. Our goals for every participating player are:
  • Have fun playing soccer
  • Understand the fundamentals of the game
  • Learn teamwork and fair play
  • Increase positive self-esteem
  • Become more physically fit
  • Meet and be comfortable with new people

Everyone Plays®
EPIC helps more than just the players. Buddies and other volunteers increase their appreciation and understanding of individuals with special needs. They find their lives greatly enriched by their involvement with their new EPIC friends. For parents thinking they would never see their children playing a sport or making new friends, EPIC gives them joy and hope. They are able to relax and enjoy watching their children having fun like other kids, perhaps for the first time.

The price includes the player uniform (jersey, short, and socks), participation award. and program operational costs. 

The price below does NOT include the AYSO Membership Fee ($25.00) or the Sports Connect transaction fee ($2.75)*. These fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. AYSO Membership is required for each Membership Year (8/1 - 7/31) before a member may participate in any AYSO program or event. This fee entitles the member to all benefits for that membership year. 

AYSO Annual Membership benefits include: 
- Membership Card 
- Annual subscription to the Play Soccer magazine 
- Newsletters 
- Soccer Accident Insurance 
- Special offers and discounts 
- Access to the AYSO Player website channel

* The $2.75 transaction fee is per transaction, not necessarily per registration; meaning, multiple children in one household can be registered by their parent/guardian and checked out in one transaction.

EPIC (formerly VIP) Spring 2025

Registration closes on 04/30/2025 at 11:59 PM
Season Dates: 03/01/2025 to 07/31/2025
Show Details
$60.00

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AYSO REGION 459

[email protected] 
Shelby, Michigan 48318

Email Us: [email protected]
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