The "Father of Saugerties Soccer", Oskar Benzenhoefer played as a youth in Germany, and brought his love of soccer with him to the U.S. Oskar, who ran a painting and drywall business, formed a youth soccer team in 1972 and named it Oskar's Tapers. The kids would pile into his work van and travel around the area playing soccer games. Over time, Oskar help grow the program into a league involving hundreds of boys and girls from the Saugerties and surrounding areas.
Sadly (and quite poetic), Oskar passed away on the opening day of Fall season on September 8, 2013. One of Oskar's grandsons was actually coaching that season and decided to still come to the game because "it's what Opa would have wanted". Oskar's legacy is a program that has seen thousands of children enjoy the beautiful game and all of its benefits at our idyllic location! Many of his former players have carried on his spirit of volunteerism and dedication to the community and have coached in our league.
In 1987, Saugerties Soccer joined the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), becoming Region #595.
Today, Saugerties AYSO #595 is a wholly local and volunteer run non-profit 501(c)(3) soccer organization, dedicated to providing the youth in the area with the opportunity to learn and play the beautiful game of soccer along with their friends and schoolmates. In providing this service to our community, our organization is dedicated to the following six core philosophies, which are further explained below: Everyone Plays, Open Registration, Balanced Teams, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship and Player Development. This is our promise and commitment to you and your players.
Saugerties AYSO runs Fall and Spring seasons. Most all of our games are played in one convenient location at our beautiful soccer complex located at the north end of Cantines Veterans Memorial Complex. Click here for the field map.
For GPS, use the following address.
6 Small World Ave.
Saugerties, NY 12477
AYSO is the biggest soccer club in the World with Nearly 900 Community Programs and 500,000 Players!
AYSO's mission is to develop and deliver quality youth soccer programs which promote a fun, family environment based on AYSO's Six Philosophies:
Everyone Plays®
Our program's goal is for kids to play soccer so we mandate that every player on every team must play at least 50% of every game. It’s no fun to spend the game on the bench…and that’s no way to learn soccer!
Balanced Teams
Each year we form new teams as evenly balanced as possible because it’s more fun and a better learning experience when teams of similar ability play. It allows for each player to gain the experience of a wide variety of teammates of different skill levels.
Open Registration
Our program is open to all children between 4 and 1 years of age who want to register and play soccer. Interest and enthusiasm are the only criteria for playing. There are no elimination try-outs and nobody gets cut.
Positive Coaching
Encouragement of player effort provides for greater enjoyment for the players and leads to better-skilled and better-motivated players. A coach can be one of the most influential people in a child’s life, so AYSO requires they create a positive experience for every boy and girl.
Good Sportsmanship
We strive to create a positive environment based on mutual respect rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude, and our program is designed to instill good sportsmanship in every facet of AYSO.
Player Development
We believe that all players should be able to develop their soccer skills and knowledge to the best of their abilities, both individually and as members of a team, in order to maximize their enjoyment of the game.