Everyone Helps Out

AYSO is a volunteer organization with more than 250,000 parents and friends, many of them working as coaches, referees and administrators. It's not unusual to find two, three or more children in the same family playing AYSO soccer - while Dad serves as referee and Mom as coach. It can be a total family experience!

AYSO was founded in 1964 in Torrance, Calif. with about 125 players. Today that number has grown to more than 625,000 nationwide.

Why AYSO Works

AYSO works because our volunteers work. The volunteers work because they believe in the AYSO philosophies. Our phenomenal growth underscores AYSO's commitment to a healthy competitive atmosphere for youth soccer players, combined with dedication toward the development of responsible individuals.

Safe Haven^®

Safe Haven is a program designed to address a growing need for child and volunteer protection.

AYSO's Safe Haven Program for Parents
(click the link above to read about the program)

Volunteer Protection Act of 1997

This law grants immunity form certain types of prosecution for volunteers who meet its requirements. In order to receive full protection under the law, AYSO volunteers need three things.

• They must be properly trained and certified.
• They must be performing duties as laid out in a position description.
• They must act within the scope of AYSO's Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines.

AYSO Certification

AYSO's goal is to provide certification training for all its volunteers. Certification offers the hope that every AYSO child will be treated with understanding, compassion, and respect.

 Your Region

Whether you are a veteran AYSO volunteer or you're new at this soccer business, you may be wondering just what is this thing called an AYSO Region and how it works.

Your Regional Commissioner and Regional Board of Directors will usually meet once a month during the season and perhaps more often for pre-season planning. You are welcome to attend any of these meetings.

Get to know your child's soccer coach and other parents. Volunteer your time, skills and energies to make your AYSO Region run well. This way, both your child and you benefit from the AYSO experience.

Here's what you can expect from your Region:

• A fun soccer experience for your child during games and practices.
• Coaches and referees who understand the AYSO philosophies and support them.
• Technical training for coaches and referees.
• Caring volunteers to manage the "business" of the Region.
• A national organization for support and guidance.
• Fiscal responsibility via a financial statement, published yearly.