This photo collage highlights the successful launch of the AUSD soccer clinic pilot program, with plans to include more schools in the program during the 2025-2026 school year.
Article by Madison Kang, AUSD Communications Intern & MKHS Class of 2025
On May 16th, the Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) held its first annual middle school soccer tournament on San Gabriel High School’s football field. The tournament marked the successful launch of a soccer clinic pilot program that will hopefully reach all 13 elementary schools in the district.
Leading up to the competition, students attended after-school clinics for six weeks, led by dedicated coaching staff from Alhambra High School’s athletic department. Justin Burroughs, the girls’ varsity soccer coach at AHS spearheaded the effort after receiving a message from AUSD’s superintendent, Dr. Denise Jaramillo, expressing interest in a soccer clinic. The initiative initially began with Park and Fremont Schools before expanding to include Brightwood and Ynez as well. The tournament was originally open to only middle schoolers, but was adjusted to accommodate some fourth and fifth graders to better align with student interest and availability.
The matches featured both a championship and consolation game. The first place team, Brightwood School, received gold medals, while all other participants were awarded participation medals. Volunteer referees, including parents and members of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), ensured smooth gameplay throughout the day.
Soccer is one of the newest additions to AUSD’s growing list of elementary and middle school extracurricular programs. While the City of Alhambra’s Parks and Recreation Department offers youth sports teams in flag football, basketball, cheer, and drill, many students (and parents) lamented the lack of soccer from the lineup. With four different school districts serving the children of Monterey Park, developing school-based youth sports is a bit more complicated. They’re programs and activities are community-based, rather than connected to individual schools. With this in mind, this soccer clinic pilot program also aims to bridge that gap and bring equitable sports opportunities to youth in the entire AUSD community.
Planning for the tournament began in November of last year, with a strategic decision to schedule the event in the spring to avoid conflicts with other seasonal sports. Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive, with both beginning and experienced players reporting they were able to enhance their skills and abilities…and they had a lot of fun as well! As the pilot program wraps up, the focus now shifts to expanding the soccer program to more AUSD sites next year.
