Parent Meeting 2023
Meet the Board Members
v Regional Commissioner – Dena Griffith
v Treasurer – Corrin Hayes
v Secretary – Kelsey Whitfield
v Safety & CVPA – Mindi Young
v Referee Administrator – Blaze Goyette
v Division Coordinator & Registrar - Jordyn Speakman
v Coach Administrator -
A little AYSO Background
Built on the power of volunteer support, AYSO brings together community members to coach, referee and support their local Regions with the ultimate goal of creating a fun, family-friendly environment where your child can grow and develop not only their soccer skills, but their leadership and social skills for life.
Six Philosophies of Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, Open Registration and Player Development.
This program is not possible without our community working together to support our youth.
Our current goal is to increase the number of volunteers we have within our program. We are beginning new recognition programs for coaches and referees as well as creating a point based system for teams. We want this to be a community program. More volunteers (Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Team Parents, Referees, Field Setup, Field Marking, Board Members, Etc..) means less stress and workload on the few we have.
Volunteer Program
v In an effort to show our appreciation for our volunteers, we have created some new incentives this year. Coaches and referees will earn tickets for some of the things they do. They will be entered into a raffle for the end of the year gift.
v We have also created an incentive for the teams.
First Games
v Most coaches have their rosters.
v We do have kids on the waitlist for some divisions.
v All divisions (with the exception of U14 and U16/19) will have their first games on September 16, 2023.
v Games will only be cancelled by the Regional Commissioner or Referee.
v The last game is November 18, 2023.
o Area A Tournament is December 16 & 17
§ U10 and above *Coaches must have In-Person Training completed to attend
o All Stars is January 20 &21
§ U10 and above * Coaches must have In-Person Training completed to attend
§ All Stars Practice Games are January 13 & 14
v U8 - 7 teams with 7 each team
o We will have 3 games on 5 Saturdays and 4 games on the other 5 Saturdays.
o One team will play 2 games on the Saturday with 4 games. It will alternate.
o Game times will be 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30
v U10 – 6 teams with 9 on each team
o There will be 3 games every Saturday
o Game times will roughly be 8, 9:15, 10:30
v U12 – 4 teams with 11 on each team
o There will be 2 games every Saturday
o Game times will roughly be 11:45, 1:15
v U14 – 3 teams with 9/10 on each team
o There will be one game every Saturday, one game on opening day, and 4-week night games.
o Game time will roughly be 2:45
o We created 3 smaller teams to allow the kids more field time and prevent the same 2 teams from competing every Saturday. This is considered a small-sided match and will be played on the U12 field.
Referees
v We have 35 total U8 games and 60 total U10, U12, and U14 games in the season. We need more referees to help cover these games. Whether it be Center or AR, ANY help is appreciated.
o Our referees are spread thin. Some are there from 7:30-3:30 every Saturday.
o The regional referee training is being held on September 2 from 8am-5pm.
§ If you plan on attending, please let me know and I will get you Blaze’s info.
o We would love for each team to send a parent. We know this is a big task. We will be addressing this via email and at our parent meetings as well.
o Coaches! We would love for YOU to attend as well! This is a great way to learn the rules of the game and have a better understanding for our referees.
o U8 Referees – We are hoping to have a mini training. We will keep you posted.
o Youth referees – Must be age 12 or older. They make great referees for U8 and can help on the sidelines with older divisions.
Goal Setup
v This year the goals will not be brought to the field for the coaches. The first 2 teams of the morning (both home and away) will be responsible for bringing the goals down from the equipment pod. The last games of the day will be responsible for tear down and returning them to the equipment pod.
Website
v We have revamped our website and try to have all current information listed. There are tabs for parents, referees, and coaches. You can find all this information there as well.
Uniforms
v Uniforms are in for all divisions with the exception of U14.
Parents
v Please sign the parent pledge for your coaches. Coaches will turn those back in on opening day.
v it is important for players to make it to practices, games, and help with game day needs.
v We also ask that parents do not attempt to make calls during the games, or speak to, or at, the referees. If a parent interferes with the referee, or any part of the game, the game can be terminated or the coach (or parent) can be penalized with a card.
v Parents are not allowed on the field for ANY reason, unless the referee personally invites you on.
v NO DOGS or pets are allowed on the field.
v Parents need to maintain a distance from the sideline.
v Sponsors are not required, but they help the region tremendously. We keep our fees as low as possible. Sponsors allow us to buy new things for the region.
Opening Day
v Opening Day is September 9, 2023.
o Please arrive at 8:45 and start gathering on the field.
o We will begin Promptly at 9.
o Players need to arrive fully dressed.
v Pictures will take place on this day. The coaches have picture forms and the schedule.
v There will be a U14 game at 11am.
v Hot dogs, chips, and a drink will be provided for each player and coach.
o Additional meals will be available for $5 each until we run out.
o All proceeds will go directly back to our Region.
Calendar of Events
August 1, 2023 – Preliminary team breakdown per division (waitlist)
August 4, 2023 – First order of uniforms
August 10, 2023 – Coach/Referee Meeting via Zoom @5:30
August 20, 2023 – Board Meeting / Teams
August 21, 2023 – Uniform fill order
August 23, 2023 –Playground, Schoolyard, and U6 Coach Meeting
August 26, 2023 –U8, U10, U12 Coach Meeting
August 30, 2023 – Parent Meeting @ Wallace Cafeteria at 6:00 PM
September 6, 2023 – Parent Meeting @ South Fork Elementary at 6:00 PM
September 9, 2023 – Opening Day 9 AM (arrive by 8:45)
U14 Game @11, First games for U16/19 in Bakersfield
Pictures, Food, Activities
September 16, 2023 – First games for Region 294
October 16, 2023 – Mid Season Coach Meeting in Person/Teams @6
TBD – Player Evaluations and All Star Try-Outs
How to get started / What is Required?
v Log into WWW.AYSO294.ORG, Click on the person icon on the left-hand side and it will pull up your volunteer profile.
v Playground, Schoolyard, U6, and U8
· Risk Status
o Background Check – click box, then renew & update, follow prompt
· Concussion Awareness
o Click AYSOU tab on the upper right hand side of the page. Click Training Library and find Concussion under the Safe Haven tab.
· Fingerprinting
o If you only intend to help with the Playground, Schoolyard, and U6 you are not required to complete the fingerprinting as the hourly requirements from the state of CA will not be met. It is required for U8 and above. We still highly recommend it for all divisions.
o You each need an individual code. Jordyn has these. She will send these out individually. You will then follow this link https://www.applicantservices.com/AYSO-Prepaid and enter the code.
o It must be done at one of the listed locations. You must be set up PRIOR to your appointment. Fingerprints remain as long as you sign up as a volunteer yearly. You can sign up as a team parent, field setup, etc... just to keep these valid - even if you don’t intend to volunteer that year.
· Sudden Cardiac Arrest
o Click AYSOU tab on the upper right hand side of the page. Click Training Library and find Sudden Cardiac Arrest under the Safe Haven tab.
· AYSOs Safe Haven
o Click AYSOU tab on the upper right hand side of the page. Click Training Library and find AYSOs Safe Haven under the Safe Haven tab.
· SafeSport (Annual Recertification)
o Click the box, then renew & update, the pop up will prompt you to follow the link.
· Coaching License
o Click AYSOU tab on the upper right hand side of the page. Click Training Library and find your coaching level under the Coaching tab.
v U10, U12, U14, and U16/19
· Same as above PLUS Additional In-Person Training
o The In-person trainings are not required for our regional play. However, these In-Person trainings are required for Tournament and All-Star play levels.
o You can sign up in AYSOU under Training Events.
o At this time Region 294 does NOT have a local coach instructor. These courses will have to be taken at neighboring regions.
o We understand it is hard to attend these In-Person trainings. We highly encourage them as they will help improve the skill level and knowledge of our coaches which in turn will improve the skill level of the players in our region.