Algonquin Lake in the Hills Soccer Association

ALITHSA's Recreational program is divided by age divisions. For our younger players, we have U5, U6, U7, and U8 divisions comprised of both boys and girls.

Starting with U10, we offer both a mixed league and a girls league for children through the U10, U12, U14, and High School divisions. These divisions play against other ALITHSA teams and also teams from neighboring communities including Dundee, Hampshire, Huntley, Marengo through the NRSL affiliation.

This is a VOLUNTEER community-driven club, with all of our recreational leadership positions including coaches, assistants, team managers, coordinator, and league board management positions filled with parent volunteers.

ALITHSA's recreational program calendar year runs parallel to the local school district's calendar year, starting in the fall and running through the spring of the following year. ALITHSA has two sessions per year, the first in the fall and the second the spring.

Registration for fall session is held during the preceding June and registration for the spring session is held in the preceding January. At the time of registration, your child is automatically placed in the appropriate age division based upon his or her birth date.

The fall session generally starts soon after teams are announced in mid-August. The playing season is roughly eight weeks long with games starting the week or weekend after Labor Day and running roughly through the end of October. For teams U10 and above, the fall season will also include the Sheppard-Schleisman tournament, a recreational tournament hosted in Cary, IL. This will replace the internal ALITHSA Cup tournament at the end of the season.

Spring season generally starts soon after teams are announced in mid-March. The spring playing season is also roughly eight weeks long with games starting the first week or weekend of April and running roughly through the first week in June, usually (but not always) taking off the Memorial Day weekend. For teams U10 and above, ALITHSA will host our internal ALITHSA Cup tournament the weekend following the week #8 games.
 

Our U5 age division is for our youngest soccer players. This league is specifically designed to provide our 4 and 5 year old children a fun environment to kick the soccer ball and play with friends. ALITHSA plays a 4v4 format with no keepers at this age level, and strongly encourages free play with little to no instructional pressures on the children.

Our U6 age division continues our U5 philosophy of free play and fun, adding an additional day of play. This league is for Kindergarten-aged children, allowing 5 and 6 year old kids a fun environment to kick the soccer ball and play with friends. ALITHSA plays a 4v4 format with no keepers at this age level, and strongly encourages free play with some minor instruction to the children. Practices and games are twice a week on Monday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00pm or Dusk

Our U7 and U8 leagues are for our 1st and 2nd grade children. In U7 & U8, ALITHSA plays a 6v6 format with a keeper, stressing fun and soccer education through balanced playing time for each child through each position on the field. Practices are held at the coach's discretion either once or twice per week at a local community park of his/her choosing. Games are held generally on Saturday mornings, though occasionally there will be an evening weeknight game scheduled.

ALITHSA's U10, U12, U14, and HS ages are split into two divisions each, as ALITHSA offers both a mixed division and a girls-only division. While the children become more naturally competitive at these ages, ALITHSA's focus is to stress fun, enjoyment, and learning the game over scores and rankings.

U10 U12 teams play an 8v8 format, while U14 and above play 11v11 on a full field. U10, U12, & U14 teams play all other ALITHSA teams within their division and then also play against teams from Dundee, Hampshire, Huntley, Marengo through the NRSL affiliation. Our HS girls' teams play in the Blackmore league, competing with teams from other greater northwest suburban communities. Practices are held at the coach's discretion either once or twice per week at a local community park of his/her choosing. Games are held generally on Sunday mornings, though occasionally there will be an afternoon or a weeknight evening game scheduled. Some minor traveling is required, with away games scheduled at each of the opposing town's facilities. 

ALITHSA's year runs parallel to the local school district's calendar year, from fall through the spring of the following year. ALITHSA has two sessions per year, the first in the fall and the second the spring. Registration for fall session is held the preceding June and registration for spring session is held in the preceding January.

Registration is done solely via the ALITHSA website - please check the website for instructions. Teams do fill up so register early to ensure a space for your child. If ALITHSA does hold a late registration, there will be a $20 late fee for each child registered during that time. At the time of registration, your child will be automatically placed in the appropriate age division based upon his or her birth date.

If you wish to provide a special request of a friend or other request for your child, there is a field during registration to create that request. Note that ALITHSA will try to honor special requests, but with over 1000 players, ALITHSA offers no guarantees. 

ALITHSA is a volunteer nonprofit organization. Our success is dependent upon the active involvement of our parents. We encourage everyone to volunteer as a coach, assistant coach, team parent, board member, or in a temporary an-needed capacity at some time during your child's soccer career with the club.

ALITHSA does allow for a $20.00 volunteer rebate per adult volunteer. For more information on the criteria for successfully volunteering, please contact ALITHSA at info@alithsa.org, or your respective age division coordinator.

We depend on parents and other adults to volunteer as coaches - If you are interested in being part of the ALITHSA leadership team, please contact the Rec. Division Coordinator at Recreation.Director@alithsa.org to discuss opportunities.
 

Please join us for our monthly board meeting at 7:30 pm on the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Community Room at the Lake in the Hills Village Hall.The village hall is located at 600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills, IL. 

ALITHSA maintains a ZERO-TOLERANCE policy for abusive parents, players and coaches. Any form of abusive language, gesture or behavior directed towards any player, parent, coach, coordinator or referee is UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR, and will be dealt with accordingly. ALITHSA reserves the right to suspend and/or expel any person found to be in violation of the zero-tolerance policy.

Each Coach is responsible for his/her parent's behavior. If a Referee has a problem with a parent, he/she will stop play and immediately notify both coaches. The referee will not continue play until the problem has been resolved. If the problem persists and the coaches are unable to resolve the problem, the referee has the authority to stop play and issue a forfeit to the offending team. The referee should will then leave the field immediately and contact The Referee Assignor and email info@alithsa.org with a recap of the situation as soon as possible.