Become a Coach
Coaching children is a very rewarding experience. And coaching your own child’s team can be one of the most rewarding experiences of all! Coaches are pivotal to having children get the AYSO experience. If Regions don’t have enough coaches, registration is scaled back, and kids who want to play in AYSO are turned away.
Do you have little or no experience with soccer? No problem! AYSO will teach you based on the age level you are coaching. Unique age-appropriate coach training is one of AYSO’s specialties. If you plan to be at your child’s soccer practices and games, you’ll also have time to be your child’s coach.
To become an AYSO coach, you must be certified in the age level you are coaching. Certification takes three easy steps. First, fill out a volunteer form. Then either attend a short Safe Haven™ course in person or online. Lastly, you must attend a brief age-specific coaching course. It’s only a few hours.
Coaches are essential to the game. They teach children soccer skills and help develop a healthy, positive attitude, teamwork and good sportsmanship. Coaching is a rewarding experience because you have the opportunity to build a child’s self-esteem, help them learn new skills and just have a lot of fun.
Contact the Coach Trainer at [email protected] if you are ready to become a coach.
Become a Referee
Referees are as critical to soccer as players and coaches. It’s most common for a volunteer to begin their AYSO referee career by refereeing their own child’s game. However, as they learn the rules, develop their own techniques for managing players, coaches and fans, and gain an appreciation for how important the role of the referee is to a fun, fair and safe soccer experience, they often find it very rewarding to expand their knowledge and experience through AYSO’s advanced training and certification process.
AYSO’s referee training is considered some of the best in the U.S. and includes both in-person courses in your community and online opportunities. Soccer knowledge is a plus, but is certainly not required. The AYSO referee training will give you all you need to know to have a terrific experience on the field. Please contact Jake Brennan at [email protected] when you are ready to become a referee.
Join the Region 837 Board
There are plenty of ways to help improve the region that don't involve running around on a grassy field. For more information about the Region 837 board and to view current openings, click here.