From Sideline Snacks to Legacy: AYSO’s Soccer Challenge Coin

OKAY, GAME ON.

This one came flying at us like a surprise corner kick—sudden, joyful, and full of heart—and the second we saw the words “Everyone Plays,” someone in the office whispered “I’M GONNA CRY” and immediately did. (We’re fine. Totally fine. Just emotionally wrecked by inclusive soccer programs, thanks.)

Because AYSO? It’s not just a league. It’s a MOVEMENT. A beautifully organized, whistle-blowing, orange-slice-distributing force of nature that exists to make sure every kid—every single kid—gets a chance to play. No tryouts. No benchwarmers. No “maybe next season.” If you show up, you play. If you fall down, someone cheers. If you score? The sideline moms LOSE THEIR MINDS. It’s pure, chaotic, character-building magic. And it matters.

And then there’s Atoka. This small-town, big-hearted gem of a community that said, “Yeah, we’re gonna do that. And we’re gonna do it LOUDLY.” We don’t know what they’re putting in the water down there (maybe electrolytes?) but the way this town rallies around its AYSO program—coaches, parents, volunteers, THE WHOLE VILLAGE—it’s the kind of hometown spirit that makes you want to high-five strangers and learn how to ref a youth soccer game. Because in Atoka, it’s not just about goals. It’s about growth. It’s about teaching kids how to win with joy, lose with grace, and play with heart.

And THE PHILOSOPHIES. The six sacred scrolls of AYSO greatness:

Everyone Plays. Balanced Teams. Open Registration. Positive Coaching. Good Sportsmanship. Player Development.

ARE YOU KIDDING US WITH THIS LEVEL OF WHOLESOMENESS? They’re not buzzwords. They’re battle cries. Promises to the players, the parents, the playground dreamers who just want a shot.

And every time we say them out loud, we feel like we’re reciting a youth-soccer manifesto. (And we are.) And designing a soccer challenge coin for a place like this? It’s about capturing that whole journey in metal

So here we are—hearts full, Sharpies uncapped—staring at our whiteboard like it’s the FIFA World Cup bracket. Because now we know what we’re trying to capture. Not just a program. Not just a game. But a culture. A promise. A community where every cleat has a place and every kid is already a champion.

Let’s design something that feels like that.

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Designing a Soccer Challenge Coin That Feels Like a Goal

Oh, this one had our whole studio buzzing—like someone yelled “game time!” and we all sprinted to the design table. Because designing a coin for AYSO? That’s not just another project—it’s a love letter to every muddy cleat, every sideline snack bag, every kid who fell in love with the game under the wide-open sky. And we were determined to make it sing with spirit, sweat, and that unmistakable soccer joy.

Let’s start with the front—because HELLO, that silver base is gleaming like a freshly polished trophy. Around the edge, a bold blue ring lays out the mission loud and clear: “AYSO’s Vision” up top, and “Provide world-class youth soccer programs that enrich children’s lives” wrapped underneath like the cheer squad of the design (we heard the clapping in our heads, honestly). The center’s got this textured silver that gives it a gritty, game-day kind of depth—perfect for the big, bold “Atoka” and that vibrant AYSO acronym in alternating red and blue. Those colors? Full of energy, just like the kids sprinting after every ball. And then we added a soccer ball—because, duh—but with motion lines in red. Like that thing’s been LAUNCHED. Oh, and the little blue plaque that reads “Spring of 2018”? That’s not just a date—it’s a memory marker. A season that mattered.

Now flip it, because this side hits you right in the feels. Front and center is a silver soccer goal with a ball landing perfectly in the net—YES, we obsessed over net texture. It’s the moment every player dreams of. Around it, we built a red accent ring to give it that game-day adrenaline pop. Then we wrapped it all up in silver again, this time inscribed with AYSO’s six philosophies: Everyone Plays. Balanced Teams. Open Registration. Positive Coaching. Good Sportsmanship. Player Development. These aren’t just bullet points—they’re how you build character from the ground up, one game at a time.

And finally, we closed it out with a deep blue ring that reads like a mission statement anthem: “Develop and deliver quality youth soccer programs, which promote a fun, family environment based on AYSO’s six philosophies.” It’s the kind of line you want stitched onto a warm-up jacket—or, better yet, stamped in metal forever.

This soccer challenge coin? It’s not just for display. It’s for pride. For remembering what youth sports can be when they’re done right. And we were honored—truly—to design for a team like AYSO.

Capturing History One Challenge Coin At A Time.

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