Providing world class youth soccer programs that enrich children's lives.

Tustin AYSO Region 96

EPIC/Special Needs

AYSO is proud to offer a very special program for athletes with disabilities. Our EPIC (Everyone Plays In our Community) program provides a safe, fun environment with trained coaches, EPIC Buddies, and volunteers who facilitate an enriching experience that the players and their families will cherish forever.

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.

What is a 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.

EPIC Program Details

Tustin AYSO's EPIC Program integrates our special players into the rest of AYSO and the soccer community by using "Buddies" from non-EPIC teams to help these players both on and off the field. Our goals for every participating player are to:

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

EPIC seasons are offered in Fall and Spring. Region 96's playing structure is a jamboree style, and all players receive uniforms. EPIC coaches, players and buddies typically meet on Sunday afternoons from 1-3pm at Tustin Sports Park. The first part of the session is devoted to skills training. In the second half of a session, players and buddies are divided into teams and play matches. We finish by taking shots on goal. At the end of the game, we provide snacks and say, "See you all next week!"

But the fun isn't limited to Tustin. The Tustin VIPERS (as they're known) attend tournaments where they play against EPIC teams from other regions!