Newsletter May 17, 2007

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In this newsletter, I will cover the following topics:
 
1.    AYSO Registration
2.    Coach Open House
3.    Referee Open House
4.    Summer Soccerfest
5.    AYSO Soccer Camps
6.    Changes in U7 and U8
7.    VIP Program
8.    Volunteering
9.    Youth Coaches
10.   Miscellaneous
 
 
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AYSO Registration:
 
So far we have almost 700 kids in our system with our goal being 2200.  If you have not yet registered your child, please do so as soon as possible.  Early registration ends in mid June. After that the fees go up.  The more kids we can get registered before the deadline, the earlier we can start forming the teams.
 
To register your child, go to http://www.ayso26.org and click on the registration link.  If you have any questions, you can respond to this email or send an email to accounthelp@ayso26.org.
 
To help us in our registration drive, tell your friends about AYSO. 
 
 
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Coach Open House:
 
 
Have you thought about being a coach, but wasn't sure about it.  Now is your chance to talk to existing coaches about it.  This year we are having an open house on Wednesday June 6th at Cubberly.  The event will start at 7 PM and go until 9 PM in room A2.  Refreshments will be served and you will be able to talk to coaches and find out what it takes to be a coach.  Its much easier than you think.   
 
Don't forget to check out the web-site on a regular basis to get the latest on coach classes.  Just go to http://www.ayso26.org and click on the coach link on the left side of the page.
 
 
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Referee Open House:
 
 
Have you thought about being a referee, but wasn't sure about it.  Now is your chance to talk to existing referees about it.  This year we are having an open house on Wednesday June 6th at Cubberly.  The event will start at 7 PM and go until 9 PM in room A3.  Refreshments will be served and you will be able to talk to referees and find out what it takes to be a referee.  Its much easier than you think.   
 
Don't forget to check out the web-site on a regular basis to get the latest on referee classes.  Just go to http://www.ayso26.org and click on the referee link on the left side of the page.
 
 
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Palo Alto AYSO 2007 Summer Soccerfest
 
Palo Alto AYSO will be providing an opportunity for kids to play soccer this summer on Saturday mornings from 10-12 am.    Soccerfest is intended to provide a safe environment for kids to come together and play soccer.  No coaching, refereeing or spectators shouting from the sidelines.  AYSO provides the fields, pinnies, cones, balls and Safe Haven certified monitors.    The kids chose up teams for pick up games and provide the fun.   There are 9 Soccerfest Saturdays from June 23 to
August 18.  You may attend any or all of the sessions that you want.  Best of all  this is all free of charge. 
 
Who can play: 
 
Soccerfest is open to all players (boys and girls) who are registered in the Fall 2006 season or Fall 2007 seasons in the U12 to U19 age groups.
 
What is required:
 
Bring a copy of your registration form signed by a parent to the first session you attend. You will not be permitted to play without a signed form.  To get a form login to  www.ayso26.org and go to 'Form Package' and print out a copy of your registration form.
 
Shin guards are required.  
Prompt pickup of you child at 12pm.
Cleats recommended.
Water and sun screen recommended.
 
Where and When:
 
Greer fields #1, #2. 
Every Sat starting from June 23 to August 18 from 10am - 12pm.
 
How much does it cost ?
 
No fee.
 
Volunteers needed :
 
We are looking for coaches, referees and parents who would like to volunteer as field monitors for any of the Soccerfest sessions. Safe Haven training is required.  If you don't have Safe Haven it can
be taken online in less than 1 hour.  Please contact Doug Shaker at  doug@theshakers.org if you are interested in volunteering.
 
For General Questions on Soccerfest or AYSO registration:
 
Contact Ray Wong at boyscom-07@ayso26.org.
 
 
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AYSO Soccer Camps:
 
 
 
There is still time to sign up for soccer summer camps run by MLS.  For more information and to sign up, go to http://www.mlscamps.com.  If you have any questions regarding the camps, please let me know. 
 
Also, if you are interested in hosting a soccer coach from England at your home, please let me know.
 
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Changes to U7 and U8:
 
 
This coming season we are eliminating the goal keeper position in U7 and U8 and possibly U9.  The board discussed the issue of goal keepers at a young age and decided that goal keeping really doesn't make much sense here.  Kids typically don't like to be the goal keeper, and the goal at that age should be to learn soccer fundamentals and have fun.  As this will most likely result in more goals being scored, we will not be requiring the referees to keep track of who scored the goal.  If you have any feedback or concerns on this, please let me know.
 
 
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VIP Program:
 
 
Last year we had a very successful VIP program in Palo Alto and this season we are looking forward to an even better program  The VIP program is a great program for those kids who are mentally or physically handicapped but still want to play soccer and have some fun. 
 
Details of this program will be available soon.  If you are interested in this program, please let me know.  If you know of someone who could benefit from this program, please let them know and have them send me an email.
 
 
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Volunteering:
 
 
We are still looking for a regional auditor.  If you are interested in this position and want more details, please let me know. 
 
This is one of many positions available.  When you register your child, one of the steps in the process is the volunteer page.  While we cannot require you to volunteer, keep in mind that AYSO is an all volunteer program and the more people that volunteer, the better the program becomes.
 
 
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Youth Coaches:
 
 
If you know of a high school student that would love to be a coach or assistant coach, please have them send me an email.  We have great training programs and we do our best to pair a student up with an adult.  The kids really love student coaches and it helps augment our coaching staff.
 
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Miscellaneous:
 
 
Just a reminder that during soccer practices and games, kids are not allowed to wear jewelry.  There are NO exceptions to this rule.  This rule came about to help ensure the safety or our kids.  Please do NOT have your child's ear pierced to close to the start of the season.
 
 
US Men's National Team vs China in San Jose:

With the disappearance of the Earthquakes, we don't often have an opportunity to watch live soccer played at a high level. Here is a chance to see the US Men's National team in action against China, at Spartan Stadium in San Jose. The game is at 5:00pm on Saturday, June 2nd.

A discount is available for groups of 15 or more. See this web page for ticket ordering details:

http://ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_281738.html

 

To all the mom's out there, have a great Mother's Day.

 
Saul Rotblatt ( Regional Commissioner )