GOLETA, 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 15 at Girsh Park in Goleta. 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, Oct. 10 and 14 AYSO teams are invited to join the Gauchos at Harder Stadium for the men's soccer game against Cal Poly on Oct. 10 and the women's soccer game against UC Irvine on Oct. 14 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.
 
UC Santa Barbara's Junior Gauchos program returns for the 2026-27 school year, providing fans in sixth grade and below the chance to attend every home soccer, volleyball and basketball game, as well as exclusive promotional items and experiences for just $75 a person. Visit ucsbgauchos.com/JuniorGauchos to learn more and to register.