Newsletter May 22, 2007

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To all parents of AYSO, this is the second newsletter for the month of May.
 
In this newsletter, I cover the following topics:
 
1.    Registration
2.    Walk-in Registration
3.    Referee and Coach Open House
4.    Volunteers
5.    U12 Coach Clinic
6.    Summer Soccer Fest
7.    Summer Soccer Camps
8.    Miscellaneous
 
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Registration:
 
 
There are only four weeks left to the school year and that means that there are only four weeks left to register for AYSO at the early registration fee.  By registering before June 15th, you will not only pay the lower fee, but your child will also be guaranteed a spot on a team.
 
The more people that register early, the quicker we can form the teams.  Right now we have almost 1000 kids registered or pre-registered in the system.  Our goal is 2200 kids, so if you haven;t registered yet, please consider doing it within the next four weeks.
 
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Walk-in Registration:
 
 
We are going to have two walk-in registrations for those of you that want to come in and talk to us.  They will be at the Score on Middlefield.  The first one will be on Friday, June 8th.  We initially had one scheduled for May 27th, but since that is on Memorial Weekend, we are canceling that one and replacing it with either June 19th or June 17th.  Stay tuned for further details.
 
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Referee and Coach Open House:
 
 
We are having our inaugural Referee and Coach Open House on Wednesday June 6th from 7 PM to 9 PM at Cubberly in rooms A2 and A3.  This is a great opportunity to meet experienced refs and coaches and find out what it takes to be a ref or coach.  It's a lot easier than you think and a whole lot more fun.  If you are planning on coming, send me an email at rc-07@ayso26.org to let me know.  No reservations are necessary, so plan to show up even if you forget to rsvp.
 
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Volunteers:
 
We are looking for someone to become our safety director. This job entails, getting first aid kits for the coaches, and working with the coaches if a player gets injured and needs medical attention.  If this sounds like something you are interested in, please let me know.
 
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U12 Coach Clinic:
 
If you are planning on coaching a U12 team this season, there is going to be a U12 coach clinic on June 10th somewhere near Los Altos.  More details will be available soon, but in the mean time, if you are interested in attending, just let me know.
 
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Summer Soccer Fest:
 
 
Palo Alto AYSO will be providing an opportunity for kids to play soccer this summer on Saturday mornings from 10-12 am.    Soccer fest 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 Soccer fest 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: 
 
Soccer fest 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 Soccer fest 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 Soccer fest or AYSO registration:
 
Contact Ray Wong at boyscom-07@ayso26.org.
 
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Summer 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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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

 
Have a great Memorial Weekend.
 
 
Saul