We’re proud to be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of AYSO Region 85 Lake Forest.
We've been fortunate to have served the youth of Lake Forest for so many years. Many former Region 85 players are now parents or grandparents watching or coaching their own children right here in Lake Forest.
AYSO began in 1964 in Torrance with only nine teams. In 1973, Region 41 Laguna Niguel was created to provide youth soccer to South Orange County. Only two years later in 1975, the demand was so great that four more regions were created. Those four new regions were Region 84 Mission Viejo, Region 85 Lake Forest, Region 86 Laguna Beach and Region 87 San Juan Capistrano.
In 2002 there were an amazing 3,200 players in Region 85. Since the region was so big, the decision was made to split off and create new Region 1422 Laguna Hills, moving 800 former Region 85 players to the new region.
For many years, all practices and games were played at Heroes Park (the only park with lights!) and at many schools around town including Olivewood, Serrano Intermediate and many elementary schools. The beautiful Lake Forest Sports Park was opened in November 2014. Finally, most of the games could be played at one location. Many other City Parks also host soccer activities including Borrego, Foothill Ranch and many others.
We recognized that the Sports Park would be a perfect site to host our own soccer tournament. On Memorial Day weekend in 2016, the Inaugural Lake Forest Cup Tournament was played. Now in its 10th year, the annual Lake Forest Cup Tournament hosts local teams and also teams from as far away as La Quinta, Santa Barbara and Mammoth Lakes. Everyone says that the Sports Park is the main reason they return each year!
Fast forward to today and there are a total of 11 regions in South Orange County.
Now AYSO has almost 400,000 players in over 900 regions in 50 states and other countries.