Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When was AJAX F. C. Chicago founded?
A. The Club was founded in August 1996, by the Director of Coaching, Dragan Pavlovic. AJAX started with just 2 Boys teams and now has 15 teams, 12 boys' teams and 3 girls' teams. The Girls Program began in Spring 2000. Dragan started the Club to offer talented, committed players an opportunity to join a premier Club in the Western Suburbs of Chicago.

Q. What makes AJAX unique?
A. AJAX uses professional, licensed coaches and trainers on all teams, giving the teams a consistent style of play. Parents are involved exclusively in administrative roles.

Q. What is the Club's style of play?
A. AJAX teams play possession or ball control soccer, utilizing passing as the key to successful tactical execution. Our Coaches utilize a positive coaching style to maximize player development.

Q. What is expected of the AJAX player?
A. Players make a full year commitment to AJAX and their teams. Players are expected to attend all practices, both outdoor and indoor, have a positive attitude, and work hard.

Q. Where are practices held?
A. AJAX leases its playing fields from the Naperville Park District which assigns fields at the beginning of every season. The fields are located throughout Naperville and are subject to change every season. The club announces field locations as soon as they are available.

Q. How long are practices and what does a typical practice consist of?
A. Teams train 2-3 times per week, each session lasting 1-1.5 hours. The practice schedule for each team does not change during a playing season, unless canceled for weather reasons or a rescheduled game. Training sessions consist of a warm-up, skill work, tactical work, shooting, scrimmaging, and conditioning.

Q. When/where are the games played?
A. League games are played on Saturdays or Sundays, depending on the league. The Naperville Park District assigns the AJAX home field site and home field locations vary by season. Away games may be as close as another Naperville location or as far away as 1-1.5 hours.

Q. What Leagues do the teams play in?
A. AJAX seeks to place its teams in competitively compatible leagues and playing divisions. Boys' teams play in either NISL or YSSL while the Girls' Teams play in the IWSL. AJAX teams play in the highest divisions of all three leagues.

Q. How much are Club Fees?
A. AJAX fees are all inclusive, annual fees. Fees vary by team and every team is self-funding. Team costs are calculated and amortized over the number of rostered players. Fees include Administrative Costs (19%), Training and Coaching Costs (50%) and Team Costs (31%). Fees cover Outdoor and Indoor Seasons and Tournament entry costs. Fees are nonrefundable.

Q. When will I have to pay the fees?
A. Once players receive an offer, they are given a 7-day acceptance period, at which time parents are asked to make a financial commitment to the Club. The fee balance is spread over a 4-6 month period for which parents sign an automatic credit card deduction agreement.

Q. Do the fees include uniform costs?
A. No. The uniform package includes 1 pair of Adidas shorts, 2 Adidas jerseys, 2 practice T-shirts and 1 pair of socks. Uniform costs vary from $80 for the youth teams, and $155 for high school boys. Optional uniform and spirit wear items can be purchased.

Q. What is the Indoor Program?
A. All teams train 2 times per week indoors at various area school gyms and/or the Odeum. Teams also play in competitively compatible indoor leagues. Player fees include indoor training and league costs, and players are expected to participate.

Q. Does the Club offer Summer activities?
A. Players are given the month of July to participate in soccer activities of their choice. Some teams play in summer tournaments. All teams participate in mandatory summer team camps in late July/early August to prepare for the start of the Fall Season.