Welcome to AYSO Region 56 Fall Season.
This Parent Manual is meant to provide you with the basic information regarding our Fall Soccer program.
AYSO Mission: American Youth Soccer Organization'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, Balanced Teams, Positive Coaching, Open Registration, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development.
Fees: Early Fall Registration Fee is: $165.00 for all Core Divisions+ the AYSO National Fee ($20.00). EPIC / VIP Registration is $30. July 1st Registration Fees $215.00 for all Core Divisions, EPIC/VIP $70 + the AYSO National Fee ($20.00). Active Military, show your ID for a $25 per player discount. Your Registration fee includes your child’s uniform. You can expect some minor additional expenses during the season:
- Banner / Snacks: $20.00 (approximate)
- Pizza Party / Coaches Gift / misc: $20.00 (approximate)
- Team Sponsorship: Each team through U14 is required to provide for a team sponsor. A team may find a team sponsor, if no team sponsor is obtained each team shall collectively pay for sponsorship as follows: U5-U8 - $195, U9-U14 - $235.
Fundraiser: To help keep Registration fees as low as possible, Region 56 will be holding additional optional fundraisers, including SoccerFest. Each team is encouraged to provide a basket for the SoccerFest silent auction. SoccerFest is our opening day event, including picture day, and is a great family fun event. SoccerFest will be Sep. 7th.
Refund Policy: U9 – U18 players who withdraw prior to June 15th, and younger division players who drop prior to July 1st, will receive a full refund of regional registration fees (National Fees are non-refundable). Players who withdraw prior to August 1st will receive a refund of 50% of their registration fees. There are no refunds issued after August 1st. There are no refunds for Extra program fees.
Region Budget: Your Fall Registration Fees and the Fall Fundraiser go towards the operation of the region, including National fees (charged as a separate line item at the time of registration), uniforms, HBCSD field use fees, field maintenance, field equipment, yearbooks and trophies/medals. Registration fees cover regular Fall Season games. Registration fees do NOT include Post Season Play-Offs known as the Volunteer Appreciation Play-Offs.
Equipment: Please have your child bring shin guards, a ball, a drink (water or sports drink, no caffeinated beverages please) and appropriate footgear to all practices and games. Soccer cleats are recommended but not mandatory, shoes with a toe cleat (baseball shoes) are not permitted.
Team Assignments: A key philosophy of AYSO is balanced teams. Your child will be assigned a team after registration. Teams are set based on player rankings. AYSO is unable to accommodate and player, coach or friend requests. You can expect to hear from your coach over the summer months. If you have not heard by August 10th, please contact your division coordinator. Division coordinators contact information is listed on the website Regional Board tab at www.ayso56.org. You may also contact the Registrar at [email protected].
Practice Schedules: Practices will start no earlier than August 1st. Team practices will be set by the coach. Most teams will practice 1 – 2 times per week for approximately ½ to 2 hours depending on age and ability.
Game Schedules: Games for lower divisions are scheduled on weeknights and on Saturday’s. Upper divisions are scheduled for Saturdays, weeknights and Sundays. Lower divisions play within our region. U14 – U18 teams travel locally.
Season: The regular season runs from September through October only usually between 8 and 9 games. Playoffs for qualifying teams (U9 and above) are held in November. Postseason can include All-stars (by coach nomination and try-outs), tournament play and Spring Soccer.
Additional Programs: AYSO Region 56 offers additional programs including Extra and EPIC/VIP. The Extra program is designed for players who have the interest, skills and abilities and want to enhance their experience and individual growth through soccer while retaining the spirit of and organization membership in AYSO. The AYSO Very Important Player (VIP) Program provides a quality soccer experience for 4 year old children and adults whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams. All VIP Players have the opportunity to play a minimum of one-half of each game. You can go to our web site and click on Play Soccer and either Extra of VIP for more information on either program.
SoccerFest: SoccerFest is our Season Opening fundraising event that takes place on picture day. It is a great event, providing activities for kids and a fundraising opportunity for the region. SoccerFest will be held Saturday, September 7th.
Volunteer Requirements: AYSO is an all-volunteer organization. All positions, including your Regional Board, Coaches and Referees are on a volunteer basis. In order for our Region to operate effectively and to provide every child with a positive experience, every family is expected to volunteer. Volunteer opportunities include:
- Coach
- Assistance Coach
- Team Coordinator
- Referee (each team must have 3 referees)
- Banner / Flag
- Sponsor - (Business or Individual)
- SoccerFest Volunteer Hours
- Net Set up & Removal
- Field Maintenance
- Team Photographer
- Volunteer for Region positions / projects*
* Regional positions or projects include many positions such as year book, field director, trophies, SoccerFest, etc.
Please remember, we are all out to make AYSO a positive experience for our children, please consider making a regional volunteer commitment.
Optional Volunteer Appreciation Play-Offs / Volunteer Points: Each year Region 56 offers U9 through U14 teams an optional Post Season Play-Offs. This Post Season play is not part of the Fall Program and all teams that would like to participate MUST QUALIFY. Teams may qualify by being in good standings and meeting the minimum requirements, including volunteer points, as detailed in Region 56’ VAP Qualifying policy. Region 56 policy for qualifying for the VAP can be found on our Region 56 website at www.AYSO56.org. Your child’s coach can also provide additional information on each volunteer position and its requirements.
A team must earn a total of 80 points as outlined below to meet the volunteer point requirements.
- Pre-season Coaches Meeting 10 points
- Team Coordinator Meeting 7 points
- Mid Season Coaches Meeting 7 points
- Regional Volunteer 10 points *
- Total Referee Points 46 points ** (This is the equivalent of 4 games per 3 man ref team + the ref mtg)
Total Points 80 Points ***
*Regional volunteer work as assigned and approved by the board.
**Includes Mandatory Referee Meeting. Each referee in attendance shall earn 2 pts, max of 6 points.
***Note: Out of the 80 points a minimum of 46 referee points must be earned.
Please see the full policy on-line for additional information regarding the points system and alternate methods of earning points.
Codes of Conduct: Everyone within AYSO is expected to act appropriately for the benefit of all.
Payment Assistance: For payment assistance please contact the Registrar at [email protected].
Additional Information: For additional information, please regularly check the Regional website. You will be able to find regional information, schedules and standings; www.ayso56.org
Updated 03/24 - Policies and guidelines are subject to change