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American Youth Soccer Organization Providing world class youth soccer programs that enrich children's lives.

AYSO 880 -- Romeo, Bruce, Washington Twp

Parent Participation Policy

How to Register as a Volunteer/Team Staff


We could not exist without you! AYSO is an all volunteer organization whose 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, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development.

In order to achieve this, we need all parents to volunteer during the off-season, pre-season 
and/or mid-season in some capacity. Keep a lookout in your email for opportunities and consider signing up to help with particular tasks, as needed.

Serving on the Board, coaching or refereeing will expand your social network, improve leadership and communication skills, and allow you to inspire and teach children and be involved in your community, all which leads to building a great resume!

In order to achieve this, we need all parents to volunteer during the off-season, pre-season and/or mid-season in some capacity. Keep a lookout in your email for opportunities and consider signing up to help with particular tasks, as needed

Each team must have:

• Coach
• Assistant Coach*
• Referee* or Lineskeeper
• Team Parent
• Field Striping Maintenance

Regional Positions:
• Webmaster
• Fields Coordinator and helpers
• Assistant Regional Commissioners
• Assistant Registrar
• Assistant Coach Administrator
• Assistant Safety Director
• Assistant Uniform Coordinator
• Scheduler
• Divisional Coordinators
• Publicity/Sponsor Coordinator
• Concessions Committee
• Picnic Committee
• Picture Day/Camp Coordinator

Training is available for many of the above positions. We also have a Certified Coach Instructor in our region who can set up flexible training clinics for any parent who is interested in becoming a certified coach. If you are unable to volunteer your skills and time to one of the listed positions, we ask that you support the above staff by helping with low time-commitment type tasks that can alleviate their workload, ie. coming out preseason for an hour to help Fields Coordinator layout and stripe the game fields or dropping off registration flyers at schools & businesses or helping for a couple hours at the registration events, annual picnic or selling concessions.

Volunteer opportunities will be available for sign up 
at parent information meetings at the beginning of each season, or via emails sent to you requesting help for specific tasks/events. You may also email the Regional Commissioner or Registrar to inquire about specific job expectations and requirements.

Referees

Why should you become an AYSO Referee? We need you. We can't have games without referees. More importantly, it's rewarding and working with kids is great fun! 

Referees are critical to soccer - the game can't be played without them. The referee's job is to be the official in charge of the game. He is the independent arbiter and manager of the game. Her authority extends to everyone at the field, including players, substitutes, team officials, spectators, and even assistant referees. 

The referee's No. 1 one concern is to keep the game as safe as possible for the players. While there is risk in all sports, the referee is responsible for minimizing such risks from field conditions, equipment, spectators, and the players. 

The referee is responsible for enforcing the Laws of the Game in such a way as to keep the game safe, fair and fun for everyone: the players, the coaches, the spectators and themselves. He interferes with the game as little as possible, avoiding making calls for doubtful and trifling offenses. Referees only make calls for offenses they are sure occurred. 

We want our kids to continue to play, and they keep playing as long as it is fun. Referees learn that fun soccer varies from age group to age group of players. 

Contact your Regional Commissioner if you are ready to become a referee.

Referee Job Description
Purpose The AYSO volunteer position of referee is intended to manage soccer matches played between teams of youth players in the age groups from U-5 to U-19 according to the AYSO National Rules and Regulations, the FIFA Laws of the Game and the training curriculum as specified in the AYSO National Referee Program. The referee is expected to cooperate with coaches and other officials to develop a positive self-image in the players and to provide a good role model for all AYSO participants.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities
The referee is expected to:
1. Support the AYSO National Referee Program in both specifics and spirit;
2. Attend Regional referee meetings before and during the season as required;
3. Attend specific referee training courses to develop refereeing skills;
4. Attend referee refresher courses (continuing education training) as necessary to maintain AYSO rules, the FIFA Law knowledge, and to become familiar with changes;
5. Officiate matches to which he/she is assigned according to the AYSO rules, the FIFA Laws and prevailing guidelines;
6. Keep a record of each match he/she officiates and make special reports as necessary;
7. Support the AYSO philosophies;
8. Follow AYSO Safe Haven guidelines and principles;
9. Support the Regional Commissioner and staff;
10. Cooperate with the Regional Referee Administrator and referee staff on issues pertaining to refereeing;
11. Present a healthy environment and model by refraining from consuming alcoholic beverages or using tobacco products in the immediate vicinity of the soccer fields; and
12. Carry out any other refereeing tasks as necessary.

Qualifications and Desired Skills
To be considered for the position of referee, the applicant must:
1. Annually submit an AYSO Volunteer Application Form;
2. Pass the AYSO screening and background check;
3. Be annually approved and duly appointed as Referee by the Region;
4. Complete AYSO Referee and Safe Haven certification;
5. Demonstrate good character and reliability;
6. Be interested in promoting the benefits of youth sports, especially soccer; and
7. Be physically capable.

Supervision Protocols

While performing as the referee, the volunteer is:
1. Subject to the bylaws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines of AYSO;
2. Under the overall authority of and directly supervised by The Regional Referee Administrator, and supervised indirectly by the Regional Commissioner; and
3. To maintain the recommended adult to child supervision ratio of 1:8 or less; that is one adult for every eight or fewer children and two adults (one of whom may be the coach and one of whom should be of the same gender as the group) present at all times. For the protection of both the children and the volunteer, no volunteer should permit himself or herself to be alone with any child or group of children (except his or her own) during AYSO-sponsored activities.

Time Commitment
The anticipated time commitment for a referee is a full year. The estimated hours to fulfill duties by month shall be filled in by the Regional Referee Administrator:

Orientation, Training, Certification and Continued Education Provided
To prepare a volunteer for the position of referee, AYSO will offer the following referee educational opportunities that volunteer referees are expected to take advantage of and participate in, as appropriate.
1. Orientation by the Regional Referee Administrator;
2. AYSO’s Safe Haven Certification;
3. Various referee track workshops at the annual Section Conferences;
4. Referee training classes: U-8 official, assistant referee, basic referee, intermediate referee, advanced referee, and national referee;
5. Referee Advisor/Assessor training;
6. FIFA Law and AYSO national rules and regulations update and refresher courses; and
7. Annual Referee Update.

Activity Locations
While performing the duties of referee, the volunteer is limited to the following locations, unless expressly authorized in writing by the regional commissioner to hold activities in another location.
1. Assigned field locations;
2. Regional meetings and sponsored events;
3. Section Conferences;
4. Tournaments; and
5. Independent work at home alone, in committees of adults, or in a properly supervised situation with children.

Coaches

Coaching children is a very rewarding experience. And coaching your own child's team can be one of the most rewarding experiences of all! Coaches are pivotal to having children get the AYSO experience. If Regions don't have enough coaches, registration is scaled back and kids who want to play in AYSO are turned away.

Do you have little or no experience with soccer? No problem! AYSO will teach you, based on the age level you are coaching. Unique age-appropriate coach training is one of AYSO's specialties. If you plan to be at your child's soccer practices and games, you'll also have time to be your child's coach.

To become an AYSO coach, you must be certified in the age level you are coaching. Certification takes three easy steps. First, fill out a volunteer form. Then either attend a short Safe Haven™ course in person or online. Lastly, you must attend a brief age-specific coaching course. It's only a few hours. We also have brand new Coaching Manuals that help you with training plans and activities for the age you are coaching. 

Coaches are essential to the game. They teach children soccer skills and help develop a healthy, positive attitude, teamwork and good sportsmanship. Coaching is a rewarding experience because you have the opportunity to build a child's self-esteem, help them learn new skills and just have a lot of fun.

Contact your Region's Coach Administrator or Regional Commissioner if you are ready to become a coach.


Coach Job Description

Purpose  
The AYSO volunteer position of coach is intended to develop in players a positive image of themselves, their teammates, coaches, game officials, and opponents, and provide a good role model for players. Additionally, the coach will develop in his/her players the appropriate soccer skills as recommended in the AYSO coaching manuals.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The coach is expected to:
1. Attend team organization night with the assistant coach before the season begins;
2. Attend the age appropriate coaching course for training on how to coach or as a refresher on AYSO philosophy;
3. Attend uniform/equipment distribution night prior to a season to receive team uniforms, equipment, and a playing schedule;
4. Conduct appropriate training sessions;
5. Promote the AYSO philosophy;
6. Support the Regional Commissioner;
7. Cooperate with the Regional Coach Administrator on all coaching matters;
8. Support the division (age group) coordinator;
9. Distribute practice and game schedules to parents;
10. Conduct a parent meeting;
11. Teach age appropriate skills;
12. Follow Safe Haven guidelines and principles;
13. Provide player evaluations to the division coordinators at the end of the season;
14. Carry out other team tasks as necessary; and
15. Have FUN!

Qualifications and Desired Skills
To be considered for the position of coach, the applicant must:
1. Annually submit an AYSO Volunteer Application form;
2. Pass the AYSO screening and background check;
3. Be annually approved and duly appointed as Coach by the Region;
4. Demonstrate good character and reliability;
5. The coach must be 18 years of age or older;
6. Be interested in promoting the benefits of youth sports, especially soccer; and
7. Attend training classes before the season begins.

Supervision Protocols
While performing as the coach, the volunteer is:
1. Subject to the bylaws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines of AYSO;
2. Under the overall authority of and directly supervised by the Regional Coach Administrator, and supervised indirectly by the Regional Commissioner;
3. To maintain the recommended adult to child supervision ratio of 1:8 or less; that is one adult for every eight or fewer children and two adults (one of whom may be the coach and one of whom should be of the same gender as the group) present at all times. For the protection of both the children and the volunteer, no volunteer should permit himself or herself to be alone with any child or group of children (except his or her own) during AYSO-sponsored activities; and
4. Once the head coach has assumed charge of the children on his or her team, he or she remains responsible until a duly designated adult has taken charge of each child after practice or a game or the child leaves the immediate vicinity of the practice or game as prearranged by the parent to walk home or to a friend’s or relative’s house. No child shall be left unsupervised after a game or practice. Parents who are unreasonably late or consistently tardy should be reported to the child protection advocate for action. Each coach may establish a standing policy of where children may be picked up by late parents.

Time Commitment
The anticipated time commitment for a coach is a full year. The estimated hours to fulfill duties are approximately six hours per week during the season. Orientation, Training, Certification, and Continued Education Provided To prepare a volunteer for the position of coach, AYSO will offer the following educational opportunities which volunteer coaches are expected to take advantage of and participate in, as appropriate.
1. Orientation by the head coach;
2. AYSO Safe Haven Certification;
3. Training classes and continuing education;
4. Coach clinics;
5. Referee clinics; and
6. Annual coach update.

Activity Locations
While performing the duties of coach, the volunteer is limited to the following locations, unless expressly authorized in writing by the regional commissioner to hold activities in another location.
1. Assigned field locations;
2. Regional meetings and sponsored events;
3. The annual Section Conferences; and
4. Independent work at home alone, in committees of adults, or in a properly supervised situation with children. 

National Partners

Contact Us

AYSO 880

AYSO 880, PO Box 289
Washington, Michigan 48094

Email Us: [email protected]
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