Programs and pathways

First Touch Academy welcomes ages 3.5–5 with playful outdoor and indoor classes across fall, winter, spring, and summer. In-house recreational soccer groups U6 through U10 (about ages 5–9) play fall, winter, and spring seasons with no tryouts, at least 50% guaranteed game time, and teams coached primarily by volunteer parents backed by club resources. Optional licensed coach support is available where families want extra structure.

Travel recreational teams for U11–U19 (ages 10–18) compete in the Jack London Youth Soccer League during fall and spring, while winter seasons stay in-house within the Albany Berkeley Soccer League. The Lightning competitive program serves U9–U19 athletes in a year-round model built around merit-based roster placement, three weekly training blocks, NorCal Premier league play, winter futsal, spring tournaments, and a summer team camp window (late July through early August). Younger players ready for more than house soccer but not yet full competitive speed can enter the Rising pathway for U7 and up.

Summer rec camps, premier camps, skills clinics, Drop & Shop childcare during training, referee development, and community events such as the ABSC World Cup and Unity Cup round out the calendar for boys and girls ages 4–18.

Competitive Lightning and tryouts

Lightning emphasizes development-first coaching, licensed professional staff, and access without traditional pay-to-play barriers—progression rewards commitment, effort, and performance. Teams compete across ECNL, NPL, NorCal Premier, and Cal North, and the club’s elite development manual aligns with U.S. Soccer Federation grassroots principles.

Formal Lightning tryouts run each May at Gilman West Field in the Tom Bates Sports Complex; registration is required before attending. Roster decisions follow technical evaluation rather than random assignment. Players who miss the May window or relocate mid-season can request an individual evaluation through the competitive staff. U8 and younger athletes interested in higher-level training should explore Rising before entering Lightning.

Where families play and train

Home match and practice sites span Berkeley, Albany, and nearby parks: Gilman North and South turf, Gilman East and West grass, Gabe West grass, King Track & Field, Fielding Field, Grove Park, Ohlone Middle School field, and Cedar Rose Park. The club maintains live field-status updates so families know when surfaces are open or closed.

Philosophy and community roots

Recreational curriculum follows the U.S. Soccer Player Development Framework with age-appropriate skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship goals. ABSC leads the Albany Berkeley Soccer League and partners with five affiliated clubs, keeping large-scale rec soccer coordinated across the East Bay while Lightning represents the club in national and regional competitive brackets.

How to reach the club

Call 510-528-3106 or email info@abscsoccer.org for general registration and program questions. Competitive and travel inquiries go to comp@abscsoccer.org (Michael, travel program manager); tryout scheduling uses tryouts@abscsoccer.org. Correspondence mail can be sent to 1442-A Walnut St #426, Berkeley, CA 94709, or 1165 Solano Ave #165, Albany, CA 94706.