SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The UC Santa Barbara Men's and Women's Soccer teams are excited to host their annual American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Skills Day this Saturday, August 16 at Harder Stadium. The free skills clinic is open to all AYSO-affiliated players and coaches.
 
An annual tradition which has run for over a decade, AYSO Skills Day is a fun way for youth soccer players from throughout the Santa Barbara community to kick off soccer season by learning new skills and tricks and playing games with Gaucho soccer players. For even more fun, kids can enjoy face painting, get pictures taken at the Gaucho photo booth, and win prizes and giveaways. The event is split by age group, with players in the U5 through U8 age divisions taking part from 9 a.m. to 10:30, and players in the U10 through U18 age divisions taking part from 10:30 a.m. to noon. AYSO players can register for Skills Day by clicking here.
 
UC Santa Barbara will host another AYSO community event with their annual Parade Nights, Sept. 14 and Oct. 11 AYSO teams are invited to join the Gauchos at Harder Stadium for the women's soccer game against Sacramento State on Sept. 14 and the men's soccer game against Cal State Bakersfield on Oct. 11 to show off their team pride in a parade on the field. Participants will receive free admission to the games. Coaches can register their team for one or both of the Banner Parades through the Community Programs page under Men's Soccer and Women's Soccer on ucsbgauchos.com or by clicking here.
 
This year, UC Santa Barbara is also proud to announce the re-vamped Junior Gauchos Kids Club for Gaucho fans ages 12 and under. For just $75 a person, Junior Gauchos receive general admission tickets to all of UC Santa Barbara's home soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball games in the 2025-26 academic year, as well as exclusive promotional items and experiences. Visit ucsbgauchos.com/JuniorGauchos to learn more and to register.