Santa Barbara Soccer Club

What the club offers

The recreational side focuses on fun and fundamentals for younger players, with league play, clinics, camps, and futsal-style options offered throughout the year. The competitive program serves boys and girls ages 8 through 18; teams train and play a season that runs roughly August through May, with league games in fall and spring and summer treated as an off period for that track. Boys and girls competitive teams primarily compete in Coast Soccer League. The club also operates MLS Academy programming, Central Coast Academy boys and girls teams, and Girls Central Coast Elite for higher-commitment pathways. An EDUCO Players Academy and Pre-Club option help bridge rec players toward competitive soccer when families want more structure than house league alone.

Where programs meet and how seasons line up

Spring 2026 youth recreation league games take place at Girsh Park Turf, 7050 Phelps Road, Goleta, on Fridays from April 10 through June 12, with kickoffs between 3:30 and 9:00 p.m. Competitive evaluations for the 2026–27 club year begin in February 2026 and take place in Goleta across about two weeks. Coaching assignments for competitive teams are typically finalized in the spring ahead of the next cycle.

Evaluations, registration, and fees

Competitive evaluations are open to boys and girls from Under-7 through Under-19 (birth years 2007–2018) who can handle the commitment level of travel soccer. Registration for evaluation sessions is free and must be completed online at least twenty-four hours before the first session; families use PlayMetrics for that signup. Players should plan to attend every session for their age group when possible, wear a white shirt or jersey with cleats, shin guards, ball, and water, and arrive fifteen minutes early for check-in. Sessions blend technical work, small-sided games, and scrimmages. Returning Santa Barbara SC roster players follow a different process than new candidates. If a player is injured or must miss a session, contact the Director of Coaching before evaluations to arrange alternatives while still registering online. Offers after evaluations require acceptance within about five days, with team registration continuing in PlayMetrics.

Spring 2026 recreation league tuition is $285 per player for the season, including the issued jersey top; families supply black shorts and socks. A ten-dollar sibling discount applies per additional child at checkout. Registration closes April 3, 2026, after which new players are waitlisted. Online payment in full is required before the season; the $285 league fee excludes an approximately three percent card processing fee when families pay by card. For competitive team members, uniform bundles run about three hundred fifty dollars and training kits about sixty dollars on top of program subscription fees; ask staff for the full current fee schedule for the team level you are considering.

Mission, philosophy, and coaching approach

The pathway starts with building love for the game in the youngest ages, then emphasizes development over results in the 7v7 and 9v9 years, and finally supports serious 11v11 players with stronger competition, cups, and showcases when appropriate. Minimum playing-time expectations apply in league and many tournament settings for younger age bands, while older groups shift toward earning minutes as part of competitive growth. Referee costs are handled at the team level except for designated academy-level teams where club policy differs. Membership includes raffle-ticket sales for All Club Night, a holiday auction contribution, and at least four volunteer hours per program year.

How families reach the club

General questions can go to info@santabarbarasc.org or 805-452-0083. Recreation league administration is available at laura@santabarbarasc.org. Competitive evaluation and placement questions go to the Director of Coaching at Christy@santabarbarasc.org. Team formation questions for the recreation league can go to yael@santabarbarasc.org. Registration for evaluations, spring league, and many camps runs through PlayMetrics, with a separate signup flow for each program.