Parent Handbook 2010

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Fall Season Begins: 2^nd Saturday after Labor Day

1^st Practice may be held: Tuesday after Labor Day

Picture Day: 2^nd Game Day of Fall Season

Spring Season Begins: 1^st Saturday after Spring Break

(Fall and Spring seasons run 7 consecutive weeks each.)

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM

REGIONAL PHILOSOPHY

The goal of AYSO Region 149 and the American Youth Soccer Organization is to encourage the growth of soccer and promote positive child development.Although everyone engaged in sporting competition should have a desire to win, this desire should not be pursued to the exclusion of good sportsmanship, fair play, and participation. AYSO is a parent-based volunteer organization providing a soccer program for all children regardless of experience or skill level. Registration of your child in our program implies responsibility to the team and adherence to the six principles of AYSO:

Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Positive Coaching,

Open Registration, Good Sportsmanship, Player Development

EVERYONE PLAYS

Each player is guaranteed to play at least half of every game, regardless of his or her level of skill or aptitude, IF the child arrives ON TIME at the playing field for scheduled games PREPARED TO PLAY in the proper and complete uniform, shoes, shin guards, etc., and is not handicapped due to illness or injury.

ELIGIBILITY

All boys and girls, between the ages of 4½ and 18 shall be eligible to register for the program, subject to field availability and volunteer support and such rules as may be issued by the Regional Board.

Registration Fees and Refunds

The Regional Board shall fix the registration fee for each player participant annually. Check online for the player fee for this season.

After the Open Registration in May, players withdrawing prior to June 15^th will be issued a refund. After June 15^th, NO REFUNDS will be issued except for the following reasons: (1) The child is injured and unable to play; or (2) the child has moved out of this region. All requests for a refund must be submitted by mail in writing to AYSO Registrar, PO Box 516, Philomath, OR, 97370, and must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

For our Limited Open Registrations in spring and fall, NO REFUNDS will be issued to players that are placed on a team. If we are unable to place your child on a team, a full refund will be issued.

Any child who is eligible for the free lunch program at their school is also eligible for an AYSO Regional Scholarship. With a scholarship, the registration fee is reduced to the cost of insurance and other required fees. To receive the scholarship, request a “scholarship form” at the registration event, fill in the form, and return it with your child’s registration materials.

Registration fees pay for insurance coverage for each player, a uniform for each player consisting of a jersey, shorts and a pair of socks (players must provide their own shoes and shin guards), and cover the expense of maintaining the fields and equipment and providing supplies for the Region. The players are allowed to keep their uniforms at the end of the season.

Registration for a full season occurs during the month of May. During June, volunteers assign players to teams. In mid-July, parents and players are notified of their team assignments and in early August they attend team organizational meetings, where each parent accepts a volunteer job. The fall session play begins in early September.

New Player Registration is a multi-step process:

A- Go to www.corvallisayso.org to download and print the Player Registration instructions and Player Card. Fill out the entire card per the instructions in the registration document.

B- Go to www.eayso.org and complete a First Time form for each player in your family. Print out, sign, and date two (2) copies of the completed registration form.

C- Bring all 4 of these items: (1) two copies of the Player Registration form(s) and, (2) the player card, and (3) the Kids Zone form, and (4) a check or MO for the fee to a “Regional Open-Registration Event” early in May. Dates, times and places are advertised in local newspapers and through hand-outs at schools, and on our website.

D- Submit all forms and pay fees at the “open-registration event” or by mail (AYSO Registrar, PO Box 516, Philomath, OR 97370).

E- If you do not have online computer access at home, you may complete and print the registration forms at any of the Benton County Public libraries, or in the computer lab during the registration event.

Questions? Read the instructions at www.corvallisayso.org => Players and Parents => Registration

Returning Player Registration is a multi-step process:

A – One Saturday in late April your team’s Registration Volunteer, team parent or coach will provide each parent with a pre-printed “Player Card” containing the player information existing in our Region 149 files.

B - Parents will have 1 week to review and update the Player Card so that the information is current. Also indicate on this card your preferences for a volunteer position. Coaches, referees and team parents are selected based upon the info you enter on this card. (See Team Formation page 6)

C - Go online to www.eayso.org and complete a Player Registration Form for each player in your family. Print out, sign, and date two (2) copies of each completed form.

D - Return the following three (3) items to your team’s Registration Volunteer the following Saturday:

1. two (2) copies of the Player Registration Form, and

2. the updated Player Card, and

3. your registration fee payment check or MO

E - Your team’s Registration Volunteer will turn in all of the forms and fees for the entire team as a group, to the Regional Registrar.

Registration for Spring session only.

If your child missed the fall session, he/she may register for the spring session on a space-available basis.Follow the same steps as listed above.Submit forms and fees at a registration event or by mail. Check www.corvallisayso.org for dates & instructions.

Team FORMATION

1. New teams are formed in June of each year. The goal of team formation is to create teams within a school/practice area that are balanced with regard to volunteer availability and player age and skill level.Team Formation is done by the Boys & Girls Team Formation Coordinators and Divisional Coordinators, with the assistance of board members, coaches and other volunteers.

2. Balanced teams are created within each school/practice area, so that each team has a similar number of players at each skill level and grade level.Teams are formed by assigning some less skilled players, some mid-level players, and some highly skilled players to each team. The skill of returning players is based on the evaluation by their prior-year coach who rates them on a scale of 1 to 9.Since new players do not have a rating, they are distributed among the teams of their age group.

3. Age Brackets:The primary consideration for player placement is their age on July 31 of each year. Except for U6 players, AYSO players are grouped into a two-year age division (for U6 the age division is 1.5 years). The divisions are called U6, U8, U10, U12, and U14. Players in U6 are all UNDER SIX years of age on July 31^st. The U8 group is all UNDER EIGHT years of age, U10 is UNDER TEN, and so forth.There is also a U19 division for all players aged 14 through 18.

4. Playing up: Players are allowed to “play up” one year on the recommendation of the current coach, or to stay with their classmates. The latter applies to players with August birth dates or players that have skipped a grade. In order to play up a division, a request must be made in writing either on or attached to the player registration card.AYSO national regulations prohibit players from “playing down” a division.

5. Players are not moved:Once teams have been formed and rosters are printed, players cannot be moved to another team. Exceptions are made for an error in placement in the wrong division or wrong gender.Occasionally a player is moved if there is a benefit to the region, i.e. a team is in need of a coach and the parent of the moved player can coach this team.

6. Volunteers: Another important consideration when forming teams is the availability of volunteers who are willing to be a Team Coach, Assistant Coach or Referee. During the Player Registration process in May of each year, a Player Card is provided to the parents of each player. On that card, the parent(s) should indicate which volunteer job they are willing to do. Priority placement on a first choice school/practice area is given to the children of the Coach, Asst Coach, Referee and Board Member volunteers. The parent should also note on the card their first and second choice of school/practice areas, and any special considerations they have (play up with classmates, need to car pool with Johnny Smith, would like to have Sally Jones as coach, etc).Not all of these wishes may be granted, but they will be considered when forming the teams.

7. School/practice area: Since U6 teams do not practice during the week, they are formed from the pool of all players within this age group.For U8 and U10, teams are formed and balanced within a grade school. Not all grade schools have teams. We cannot form teams at a school unless we have coach, assistant coach and referee volunteers. For U12 and U14, teams are formed in four practice areas – North, Central, Southwest and West Benton County. In general, these areas correspond respectively to the Cheldelin area, the Linus Pauling area, Adams/ Lincoln area (the former Western View middle school area), and the Philomath area. Players may be placed at their alternate choice school/practice area if there are not enough roster spots available at their first choice.It is not always possible to form balanced teams and keep all of the players from one area together.

ANNUAL TEAM MEETING For Parents

Late in July, a letter is sent to the parents of each player advising them of the child’s new team assignment.The date, time and place of the Team Meeting is also stated in the letter. The meeting, usually held during the 2^nd week of August, is intended for parents only, not for the players. This gathering will allow parents to meet the coach and assistant coach, and to determine which parent will fill each of the volunteer positions required for the team’s participation in the program (see pages 10 & 11). Your attendance at this meeting is crucial to the successful organization of your child’s team.

Those of you who volunteer to coach, referee or be the team parent can submit your Volunteer Application form at the meeting if you have not already done so.Uniforms will not be issued until all of those crucial volunteers have turned in their Volunteer Application forms. Also at this meeting, coaches and referees can sign up for their training sessions, and Concessions, Safety Shed and Fields volunteers can sign up in advance for the 2-hour periods when they will perform their volunteer duties.

By the end of the meeting all volunteer positions need to be filled and your Team Volunteer List completed. If so, the team uniforms will be issued to the Coach.If the list is not complete, uniforms will not be issued.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND PLAYERS

Attendance and Participation

Every player shall be entitled to play at least half of every game.Parents must be aware, however, that late arrival for a game is disruptive to the team and must be avoided.Therefore, while a player arriving during the first quarter will play the above numbered quarters, any player arriving during the second or third quarter may result in the player participating in only one quarter.

Practice

For Divisions U19, U16, U14, U12 and U10, practice will not exceed two hours, twice a week. For Divisions U8, practice will not exceed 1½ hours, twice a week. U6 teams do not practice except during pre-game warm-up on game day. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to make sure that their child attends practice.If a player is going to miss practice, the coach or the team parent should be notified as soon as possible.

PRACTICE LOCATION AND ATTENDANCE

As all of the coaches in AYSO are volunteers, practice times are scheduled at the coach’s convenience. Practice fields are arranged at various schools and field reservations are made directly with the school by the coach.Shorts are better suited for the game of soccer than long pants. In cold weather, sweatpants are recommended as jeans can restrict motion. Cleats are best suited for most fields and should be worn at practices.It is recommended that each player bring an appropriately sized ball and water to practices.

Length of Season

The regular season will begin on September 1^st and run through May 30^th each year. There are normally seven games during September and October, then a winter break, and normally seven games in April and May. Inclement weather or poor field conditions may necessitate the canceling of games. Any such cancellation will be made at the discretion of the Regional Commissioner or representative. Failure to be present with the legal minimum number of players shall result in a forfeit. Check the website at www.corvallisayso.org for cancellation information on game day.There are no refunds for cancelled games.

PARENT PARTICIPATION

THE REGION AND THE CHILDREN NEED YOUR PARTICIPATION.Attend practices and games. PARENTAL SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL. Learn about the rules of the game by obtaining materials from your local library or by reading, “The Rules of Soccer: Simplified.” Above all, show tolerance of the players’ mistakes and weaknesses. When attending games, cheer for all players on both teams as well as your own child. Every parent is requested to volunteer in some area of the program and there are various jobs available. Before your team’s annual meeting, read the section on volunteering in this handbook and visit our website at www.corvallisayso.org. Then you should offer to help.

EQUIPMENT

UNIFORMS: A uniform consisting of shirt, shorts, and socks is provided for your child’s use at the beginning of the season and is yours to keep when the spring season ends. You are responsible for taking care of the full uniform. Do not iron the jersey. Players may not wear rings, watches, chains, necklaces, earrings, or hard pony tail holders or barrettes, nor any kind of cast or splint.

SHOES: It is strongly suggested that players wear regulation soccer shoes with rubber or plastic molded cleats (no metal). Football and baseball shoes with toe cleats are not allowed. Gym shoes or sneakers are allowed, but not recommended.

SHIN GUARDS: It is only common sense to protect vulnerable shins. Shin guards can and do protect the player. A National AYSO rule makes shin guards mandatory. They may be purchased at any local sporting goods store. PLAYERS MUST WEAR SHIN GUARDS AT ALL PRACTICES AND GAMES.

BALL: A player needs to practice with an appropriate soccer ball to develop skill and coordination. For Divisions U6 and U8: Size “3”; Divisions U10 and U12: Size “4”; Divisions U14, U16, and U19: Size “5”. Any time spent with the ball makes for a better player and active parent participation is greatly encouraged.

WATER: Each player should bring water for himself/herself to each practice and game. It is recommended that before, during, and after any sporting activity that players drink water to re-hydrate the body. Region 149 encourages the use of refillable bottles to minimize waste. “Go Green!”

COACHES

As a parent, you can help your child’s coach by introducing yourself and thanking them for their interest in coaching a team.Support the coach’s request that your child be on time for practices and games. If you do not stay for the entire practice session, pick up your child promptly at the end of practice. Be positive with your comments and remember that a coach has a reason for his selection of player positions. Don’t criticize the coach because you think your child should play a different position.Offer help at practices.

Remember that coaches volunteer their time and energy to instruct and help your child, and they need your cooperation and support.

REFEREES

AYSO referees are entitled to the highest respect from coaches, players, and spectators.The referee’s mistakes--and there will be mistakes--shall be accepted without complaint. Many of the referees have no children playing in our Region and all of them gladly give their time to help us. Please show them the respect they deserve they are volunteers. Express your appreciation for their commitment to our soccer program. The Region is always in need of referees. If you are interested, contact the Regional Referee Administrator at corvallisayso.org

VOLUNTEERING

AYSO is a national non-profit organization, established in 1964, to teach the game of soccer and develop positive character traits in children through their participation in a quality sports program. Our local region is one of hundreds throughout the nation serving over 650,000 children annually. Region 149 serves over 1,200 children each year and is administered entirely by volunteers. In order to provide the quality program our kids deserve, we need YOU! Parents who enroll their children without making a volunteer commitment not only constitute a burden on other parents, but also jeopardize the quality of the program. Following is a list of opportunities for you to consider. No Previous Experience is Necessary! Remember, the kids can play only if the adults volunteer.

TEAM COACH: One of the most rewarding opportunities.The number of teams formed will determine the number of coaches needed. Safe Haven Certification is required, and you must attend an AYSO coaches clinic.The Team Coach is responsible for running team practices and games.

ASSISTANT COACH: Assists the team coach during practices. Each team needs an assistant coach. Safe Haven Certification is required, and you must attend an AYSO coaches clinic. Responsible for assisting coach in running team practices and games. Covers for coach when not available.You will learn a lot about soccer and coaching and enjoy working with the players.

REFEREE:NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Referee Training Class will be provided prior to the season. Uniform provided by the Region. You will be assigned games to fit your comfort level as either a center referee or as an assistant (line) referee. Your referee schedule will be created around your child’s schedule and your availability. You will be assigned one game each Saturday for each child you are representing. You will NOT referee you own child's game if they are older than U 8. You will learn the rules of soccer and how to conduct the game, and enjoy participating in the game with the players. Contact the Regional Referee Administrator at the August parent meeting to fill out a Referee application form, AND be sure to complete the AYSO Volunteer Application form and submit it to the CVPA by the methods outlined on page 13.

TEAM PARENT: Administrative assistant to the coach. The Team Parent is the primary communicator between the coach and the parents, and the link between the team and the Board of Directors. Oversees and coordinates other parents. Pick up mail at the shed each week, distribute flyers/newsletters to the team, create schedule for oranges/water, organize team activities such as 5-a-side jamboree, etc.Coaches greatly appreciate a committed volunteer to fill this position.

TEAM REGISTRATION VOLUNTEER:Handles the registration materials for their own team. Assists the Regional Registrar at Open Registration with

team packet assembly, distributes and collects completed packets at the field,and/or other duties as outlined by the Regional Registrar.

CONCESSION STAND: Volunteers sign up for a two-hour shift in the fall and again in the spring to work in the concession stand, selling and serving snacks and drinks in a dry environment.On the job training, no soccer experience needed for this job.

SAFETY/INFORMATION STATION: Volunteers sign up for a two-hour shift in the fall and again in the spring.No first-aid training required. You will answer questions, provide directions, and provide necessary first aid materials to players (ice pack, band-aid, etc). You will document any injuries and incidents in the journal.

FIELDS VOLUNTEER: Installs or removes goals when your team has the first or last game of the day.Assists with lining and maintaining fields as required by the Fields & Complex Coordinator.Cleans up fields at the end of each game and deposits trash and recyclables in appropriate containers.

TEAM PARENT TIPS

The team parent is expected to:

1. Check the team’s folder on the porch of the equipment shed for the latest handouts each week;

2. Act as administrative assistant by distributing information to the coaches, players, and families of the players;

3. Assist regional board and staff members with the distribution of team and individual photos, Soccer Shorts, flyers or any other written information;

4. Oversee, plan, and coordinate all team activities, such as game day refreshments, email or telephoning information to other parents, etc.

5. Provide a pocket-size team roster with names and jersey numbers to each parent. That way, parents on the side line can cheer for any player that made a great play!

Game Day Refreshments are provided to players during half-time. The recommended refreshments are quartered oranges and water, cool, but not cold. Other juicy fruits are also good. Be sure to offer some to the coaches & referees.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING

1. All coaches, referees and other volunteers who work directly with children, shall be appropriately trained before working with children.Head coaches, assistant coaches and referees must be AYSO certified.
2. The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 provides liability protection for volunteers whom are registered and trained by the organization to perform their duties.
3. Only AYSO approved materials, courses and instructors may be used to train and certify these key volunteers.
4. There are various levels of AYSO training and certification for coaches and referees. The training becomes more comprehensive as you become certified to coach and referee older players. Training sessions for various levels of coaching and refereeing are offered locally each year by Region 149. Please check the Region 149 website www.corvallisayso.org for training opportunities and arrange to attend. Several lower-level training classes are offered online at the national AYSO webpage www.aysotraining.org . You may complete that training online if you are unable to attend a local class.
5. In addition to training to learn the basics of their position, all Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Referees must complete “Safe Haven” training and be “Safe Haven Certified.” The Safe Haven program is specific to AYSO and is designed to create the mindset which will provide an environment for the players which is both safe and pleasant. By following the Safe Haven principles, allegations of misconduct by adult volunteers are minimized or eliminated. Safe Haven training for Coaches and Referees is available online at www.aysotraining.org
6. You must use your AYSO ID number to access the on-line training at www.aysotraining.org. You can find your AYSO ID number on the “Volunteer Page” of our local website www.corvallisayso.org . If you do not find yourself in that list, send an email with your full name and phone number to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and you should receive a reply within 48 hours.
7. In 2010, the National AYSO organization established a requirement that all coaches should be trained and certified at the level they are coaching. Volunteers are subject to ongoing evaluation, and additional training may be required to maintain good standing within the region and the organization.

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION

AYSO requires all coaches, assistant coaches, referees, team parents and board members to register as volunteers each year.The volunteer application forms must be submitted to the Child & Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA) before the season begins.

To prepare your Volunteer Application form on-line, go to www.eayso.org Select “First Time” (if you have not previously registered) or “Log In” if you already have a password. Follow the instructions – we are Region 149. Fill out the on-line Volunteer Application form. Provide as much information as you can, including your email address and employment information. All fields with red asterisks are required data. When done, print out two (2) copies of the Pre-Registration form. You will notice that only a series of XXXXs appear in the Social Security box and the Driver’s License box. That information is in the AYSO database, protected by state-of-the-art encryption, but no person will be able to view that information. Now, you are almost finished.

Completing the application form online is step 1.  You will not be “registered” as a volunteer until you submit your application forms directly to the CVPA.

Sign both copies of your printed form. The signed forms must be submitted in person, along with photo ID, to the Region 149 Child & Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA).

Volunteers have several opportunities to submit their registration forms to the CVPA during the player registration events in May, or they may do so at the Team Organization Meeting in August. If you missed the registration events in May and wish to avoid the crowds in August, you may mail (2) signed copies of your form, along with a Xerox copy of your driver’s license to: AYSO 149 CVPA, PO Box 516, Philomath, OR 97370. Mail-in forms must be received prior to August.

If you are unable to complete the on line registration, you may obtain a blank form from the CVPA and submit a handwritten volunteer application form.

SIDELINE ETIQUETTE

AYSO soccer encourages positive self-esteem, discipline, personal responsibility, teamwork, acceptance of and learning from disappointment and success, as well as, perseverance.It is an enjoyable game to watch as well as it is to play. We believe that quality soccer can and should be developed, and that it can and should be fun. Therefore, the emphasis of our program is not on who wins but how the players and teams develop, and most importantly, did they have fun in doing so? We want all participants to reach their full, age-appropriate potential and to enjoy themselves in the process. As spectators, we must realize that the players are trying their very best and deserve our very best in the way of support and encouragement. Negative comments have no place on the field or on the sidelines. We need to recognize that the effort of each player is 100% well intended and we should encourage each player to maintain that effort. It is also important to recognize all good play being demonstrated--regardless of which team the player is on.

Spectators should allow the coach to be the sole source of coaching during the match, communicating tactical or technical adjustments to the players. If you are the coach, be sure that your coaching during the match is limited to positive, instructional and encouraging comments. Giving play-by-play instructions to all players thwarts their ability to put into effect the lessons you have stressed in practices and takes from them the opportunity to think on their feet.

The area off the field that the coaches occupy is called the “technical area” and is on your own team’s side, no closer than one yard from the touchline, and up to ten yards from either side of the halfway line. The “technical area” is limited to the head coach and one assistant coach for that team.Not only are these to be the only persons occupying the “technical area,” they are the only persons who may coach (give tactical or technical information) during the course of the match.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

1.AYSO Region 149 is committed to the protection of all its children from all forms of abuse and neglect while participating in the program, and it promotes the awareness and prevention of child abuse in the community at large.

2. AYSO Region 149 shall have the right to revoke both the registration, certification and participation of any volunteer who falsifies information, is found guilty of child abuse, fails to fill in and return the volunteer application form, or who violates the principles of the AYSO child protection policies.

3. Complaints of misconduct against any AYSO volunteer, parent or spectator shall be made via email or in person to the CVPA (Child & Volunteer Protection Advocate). The complaint, grievance, and appeal process shall be conducted as described in the regional guidelines, which can be viewed on the region’s website www.corvallisayso.org . The names and identities of the complainant and the accused shall be protected at all times during the investigation and proceedings.

4. A volunteer accused by legal authorities of child abuse will be asked to resign voluntarily. If the volunteer refuses, the board will move to suspend the volunteer until the matter has been resolved. Regardless of civil or criminal guilt for the alleged child abuse, the continued presence of the volunteer in the program will damage the reputation of the region, even during the investigation and pretrial phase.

5. A volunteer accused of child abuse but subsequently cleared may apply for reinstatement in the region.However, reinstatement is not a right, and reinstated volunteers are not guaranteed to return to their former positions.

OK, what is Kid Zone ?

Kids Zone is a program that has three major elements:

1. The Badge. This is a pin-on badge bearing the program’s logo. This badge can be worn by program supporters at games. It also will serve as a reminder of the importance of positive sideline behavior.

2. The Sign. A large sign, which lists positive behavior standards, will be posted at the entrance of participating fields. Parents and spectators who will abide by these standards are welcome, all others are not.

3. The Pledge. We will request AYSO parents to sign a pledge that holds them to the Kids Zone standards.

An important aspect of the AYSO program is Sportsmanship. Our children learn by watching and imitating our conduct. Parents and coaches are expected to demonstrate good sideline behavior, keep a positive outlook and be supportive of coaches, players and referees in spite of any mistakes they may make during the course of a match.Negative comments or aggressive behavior will not be tolerated on the field or sidelines.

FIELD RULES

AYSO Region 149 has agreed with the Corvallis School District that we will enforce the 509J rules for use of their facilities, so you are expected to comply with these school district rules:

1. NO DOGS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

2. No parking on grass or dirt

3. No smoking

4. Deposit all trash in trash cans, recycle what you can in the appropriate containers – do not mix the two.

SUBSTITUTIONS DURING THE GAME:

Players coming on to the field must be recognized by the referee before entering, and must enter and leave at midfield. All divisions from U6 through U14 will have a substitution break approximately midway into each half (This should last roughly one minute. This time is for substitutions, not for lengthy strategy sessions). Substitutions will occur only at quarter breaks, halftime, or for an injury.

PROPER UNIFORM:

The uniform for all divisions is provided and is as follows: 1 AYSO shirt, 1 pair of black shorts, 1 pair of socks and shin guards. Shin guards, which are required but not provided, should be put on first, with socks worn over the shin guards. Any extra garments must be worn underneath the provided uniform. Soccer shoes are not required, but are recommended. If a player is not in a complete and proper uniform, he/she will not be allowed to participate.

CANCELLATION OF GAMES

Games may be halted at any time if it is determined that lightening is occurring within 2 miles of the fields.An air horn will be blown two long blasts to alert all players, coaches and referees. Referees will immediately halt the game and coaches will gather their team members and walk to the nearest building to take shelter until an all-clear horn is sounded with three short blasts. If weather does not allow an all-clear notice, runners will be sent from the Safety Station to notify each team that play is suspended for the remainder of the game.The score at that time will be considered the “final” score of the game.

INDOOR SOCCER

AYSO Region 149 will offer an indoor program during the winter season for U8-U19 players if there is enough interest and volunteer coaches and referees are available. Indoor soccer begins during the first week of November and runs for six weeks. No weather worries for indoor soccer! If you enjoy a fast-paced game, this might be for you. Training will be provided for volunteer referees prior to the start of the season.

The game is played with six players per team on the field at one time. All games are 40 minutes in duration. Teams are formed using the same AYSO philosophy of balanced teams and registration is open to anyone who has signed up for the current fall/spring season. Since there are no practices for indoor soccer, the indoor coordinator balances the teams from throughout the region, not by school/zone preference. Registration is held at the safety/info Station in October. This is a great way to meet new people and make new friends.

Games are played indoors at the Corvallis Sports Park, 175 SW Twin Oaks Circle, usually on Saturday. It is possible that an occasional game would be played during the week, depending on the number of teams formed. The cost will be determined prior to indoor registration and must be paid at the time of registration. If there are not enough players registered, the season will be cancelled and the registration fee will be refunded.

Notes: The Indoor Soccer season, which is totally independent from the Primary Season, will not occur unless an adequate number of registered parent volunteers offer to coach, referee and act as team parents.

Progressive Play is an option for those players with a desire to play a little more soccer than just the regular AYSO season, and to play at a more challenging level of play. After tryouts and team formation, the Progressive Play teams play in a variety of tournaments, often with teams from other communities, from late spring through the summer.

Players who participated in the regular season may “tryout” for Progressive Play teams. Only U-12, U-13, U-14, and U-15 players may participate. Tryouts are typically held in the evening on the 4^th Sunday in April. Some teams may begin tournament play as early as Memorial Day weekend.

The number of teams that are formed is completely dependent upon the number of parents who volunteer to be a coach or assistant coach.If nobody steps forward to be a coach for a particular age group, no team will be formed for that group. All traditional AYSO rules and philosophies guide both team formation and play. Many of the Progressive Play games require travelling to other communities throughout Oregon.

REGISTRATION:The Progressive Play registration form is due on the first day of tryouts.Date, time, and place of the tryouts are announced in the Region 149 Newsletter each spring.

COST: If a player accepts a position on a team, they will be asked to pay a registration fee (in addition to the regular season fee).The fee covers a new jersey, shorts, socks and most, but not necessarily all, of the summer tournament fees. Player insurance coverage continues from the Primary AYSO season through the end of July. Players who do not register for the next Primary season must pay an additional member and insurance fee.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE: Each player must provide a copy of their Birth Certificate to their coach.Oregon Birth Certificates can be obtained by calling the Oregon Health Division, Office of Vital Records, (503) 731-4095, or www.VitalChek.com.

This page is subject to continual changes, please check http://corvallisayso.org for any changes to the upcoming season.

Age Guidelines

Division Actual Change in Age Years

Under 6 (U06) from 4 to 6

Under 8 (U08) from 6 to 8

Under- 10 (U10) from 8 to 10

Under-12 (U12) from 10 to 12

Under-14 (U14) from 12 to 14

Under-19 (U19) from 14 to 19

Age on July 31st

Consult the website for exact birthday ranges: http://www.corvallisayso.org/ => Players and Parents => Registration F.A.Q.s

Age Information

Just about every AYSO coach hears those magic words sometime.Whether they are coaching this season or haven’t coached in 15 years, there is always someone out there who only knows them as "Coach."

It is heartwarming to be remembered for a selfless act of service, even more so if that little U-8 defender is now a college student who never forgot his or her favorite coach.

It’s time to let coaches know they changed lives – before the kids grow up and start coaching teams of their own. Let’s celebrate the people who run the drills, organize practices, and gather their teams for a huddle and a shout every Saturday. Let’s honor the people who set up the cones, pick up the balls, and show more patience than they really have. Let’s make sure they know they are appreciated.

Everyone who volunteers is vital to AYSO. Coaches have the most lasting impact on the athletes, and we want to thank them for their dedication and encourage them to continue their service.

Look for articles featuring exceptional coaches in upcoming issues of our newsletter. If you have a story to share about a great coach in our region, please send it to: AYSO 149 Commissioner, PO Box 516, Philomath, OR 97370.

Coaches Coach, Parents Cheer