The American Youth Soccer Organization has soccer programs throughout New York City. AYSO, for ages 4 to 19 years old, has a rule that every player on every team must play at least half of every game. Teams are balanced and open registration means each kid makes the team. The non-competitive AYSO has leagues in fall, winter and spring, and low-cost summer camps. Parents are encouraged to volunteer as coaches and referees.
The Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex, on the west side of Manhattan between 17th and 23rd Streets, has 30 acres of sports facilities. Kids can take gymnastics classes, climb the rock wall, bowl or ice skate. Indoor soccer, baseball and basketball teams and instruction get kids ready for outdoor play. Chelsea Piers also has youth fitness programs: Little Athletes, for kids ages 1 to 5 years, and weekend and after school youth classes in different sports, for ages 5 to 16 years.
The non-profit Asphalt Green, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, has an indoor pool, sports field and gym, with sports and fitness classes for kids. Swim programs start at infant and go up to swim team and diving. You can play, or learn how to play, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball or flag football. Learn martial arts, take gymnastics classes or try out for the gymnastics team.
Aviator Sports & Events Center, at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, has two regulation ice skating rinks, used for both figure skating and hockey. Two outdoor turf fields can be used for soccer, lacrosse and flag football. The Gymnastics Center offers instruction in traditional and rhythmic gymnastics, competitive cheer, dance, trapeze, parkour and break dancing. There is a rock climbing wall, basketball and volleyball.