What’s included?   Your registration fees include a uniform (socks, shorts, and jersey), secondary insurance, standard picture package, park usage fees, utilities, field upkeep, maintenance, equipment, area fees, national fees, trophies, etc.  Your fees do NOT pay salaries – we are all non-paid volunteers. The cost of running the program exceeds the low registration fee; therefore each team is encouraged to recruit a sponsor to donate $100 or more per team to help offset the expenses of the pro gram.  We do not require fundraisers.

 

I want to join in the fun – how can I help out?   AYSO Region 121 in Simi Valley is a total volunteer organization. We need people like you!  Volunteer to coach, assistant coach, referee, team parent, set up and paint fields, take down of equipment, field monitor and most important become a regional board member to help build and support the region.  Be an example to your children by volunteering.  Remember with a lack of volunteering less teams can be placed on the fields and children lose out.

 

What do I need to get?   Shin guards are required for both practice and games.   Shoes can either be tennis shoes or soccer shoes.  Note that soccer cleats do NOT have a toe cleat. Baseball shoes/cleats cannot be worn unless the toe cleat is removed.  Your child will need a soccer ball for practices – the coach will let you know the proper size to purchase.  Water is needed for both practice and games.

 

When does practice start?   Practices cannot start before August 1, 2010, by AYSO insurance coverage rules.  The coach of your team’s practice schedule will notify you sometime in late July or early August.  Coaches can be on vacation during the month of August so please be patience your coach will contact you.

 

How often/what days and times will practices be?   The Under 5 & 6 division does not have weekday practices.  Their practice is part of their game times on Saturdays.  For the other divisions, Practices will be 1-1 1/2 hours, 1-2 times a week.  The coach selects practice schedules.  Permits from the School District and Recreation and Park District issue practice locations.  You cannot practice where you want.  The coaches will call sometime after July 29th for a parent meeting and to share specific information for your team. 

 

When does the season start?   Opening Day for U6, U10, U12 & U14 Divisions is Saturday, September 11, 2010.  Due to the fields at Berylwood being closed for the Simi Valley Parade on September 11, 2010 the Opening Day for the U8 Division is Saturday, September 18, 2010.  All Divisions receive ten regular games during the season.  If rain occurs on a scheduled game day the Simi Valley Park District determines if a cancellation is necessary to protect the fields.  There are no makeup days for rain cancellation.

 

How much time does my child get to play?   Coaches are required to play each player ¾ of each game.  Soccer is a team sport.  The other children on the team need to be able to count on your child.  Please have your child attend each scheduled practice and game.  Please have the courtesy to notify your coach in advance if your child will be absent.  A coach has the right to play players ½ of a game, if players are continually late or fail to show up to practices and games, who choose to attend other sports instead of the AYSO soccer games, and/or who are disrespectful or disruptive at practices or games, with the approval of the Regional Commissioner.

 

What time are the games?   Games can start anywhere from 8:00 to 4:30 on Saturdays.  Exact game schedules are not known until the team formation is finalized.

 

How long does the season last?  The season runs from September through November.  Invitational Region Playoffs for U10, U12, & U14 Divisions start after the season and Area Play-offs in December followed by All-star teams in January. There are also tournament teams for continued fun and exercise.

 

What is the Extra Program?  The extra program is a new AYSO Competitive program started this year on an experimental basis.  You can visit the website for more information.  Tryouts are still in progress.

 

Do we keep score?   The U6 and U8 Divisions are non-competitive and no scores are kept.  The U10, U12 and U14 Divisions are competitive and scores are kept.

 

Where do we play?   We play games at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, and Berylwood School Park.  Region 121 must adhere to certain conditions, which include the prohibiting of parking on residential streets in the adjacent housing tract.  Upper divisions (U-16, U-19) play off-site and on weekdays and Sundays.

 

When and where are pictures?   Picture day is scheduled for Sunday, September 12, 2010 from 10am to 5pm at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park.  Plan now to be there for your child’s team.  Special requests for a time is not allowed and there is a makeup day later in the season for individual pictures and does not include team pictures.  Volunteers are needed to help during the day.

 

Who will be the coach?   Coaches are those special individuals who want to make a difference in their own child’s life and the lives of other children.  Coaches are ones who care and give more than others to show, by example, what teaching is all about.  As stated by a proud U8 player, “My daddy’s the coach”.  We also have many coaches who stay on after their children have grown up because of the great rewards they receive from these young players.  Volunteer to make a difference and we’ll train and support you like never before.  Ask us about our new training programs.  Don’t miss out on a special gift that you can give to children.

 

THERE IS MORE INFORMATION ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THIS SHEET

When will I hear from the coach?   Coaches are given their team rosters in late-July.  Most coaches contact their players soon thereafter, but some are unable to do so until August due to vacations or other commitments.  If you haven’t heard from your child’s coach by August 15, 2010, please visit our website www.aysoregion121.org for the latest information.

 

My child wants to be on a team with his/her friend.   One of our six philosophies is Balanced Teams.  Teams are balanced by age and ability. With this philosophy in mind, we cannot accommodate any special requests.  The only exception is the head coach can have their child(ren) on their team as long as their child(ren) are age qualified to be on their team.

 

What is the refund policy?   Refunds will be honored only if you follow the refund request policy.  Prior to coaches receiving their teams you must contact the registrar and request a refund in writing.  After the coaches receive their teams you must put your request in writing to the coach and advise the coach to send the request to the registrar.  If the coach does not send the request to the registrar there will be a delay in your return.  You will be entitled to a full refund if you request one in writing prior to July 15^th.  After July 15^th you will receive a partial refund.  All refunds will be processed within 4 to 6 weeks.

 

What if my child receives an injury?   If your child receives an injury during a sanctioned AYSO practice or game and the child needs to be transported by ambulance or you have to seek professional medical services for the injury, AYSO provides secondary medical insurance coverage.  Your health insurance is the primary insurance coverage but if you do not have health insurance the AYSO insurance becomes the primary coverage.  Please visit our website www.aysoregion121.org and go to the insurance link for coverage, non-coverage and deductible information.  Read the policy very carefully.  Injury does not entitle you to any refund.

 

Where can I go to find out additional information or contact the Regional Board?  Our website contains all the information you will need to know about all subjects - so take some time and enjoy: www.aysoregion121.org  For additional questions please locate the board member responsible for your question and contact them through email.  Also join our Facebook page for up to date info and changes.  Log onto our website and click on the Facebook icon.

 

Referees and what I should say to them.  Our referees are trained and certified.  They are human and do make mistakes but the most important element to know is all calls on the field are an interpretation of the visual sight of the referee.  Our policy is respect for all referees.  If you do not adhere to this policy you will be ejected from the fields.  We promote youth volunteers and a zero tolerance for any adult or child to say any negative comments to a youth volunteer.  Any comment will constitute immediate removal from the regional fields and additional sanctions.

 

What is Volunteer Registration?   Any person who volunteers to help and interact with players under the age of 18 years must be registered with the American Youth Soccer Organization.  There are no exceptions.  You can register on line at the National Website, www.soccer.org, or fill out a volunteer registration form and present it to an authorized board member. (Commissioner, Registrar or Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate).  The purpose of the registration is to protect our children and protect you under our insurance policy if you get hurt.

 

What is the VIP Program?   The VIP program is designed for those players whose disabilities prevent them from participating on a typical mainstream AYSO team.  The program is designed for players with both mental and physical disabilities.  Players at least 4 ½ years old can participate on a VIP team and as long as a player remains on a VIP team, there is no upper age limit.

 

What is a SAYSO?   A SAYSO is a weekly newsletter to keep you informed of many different types of information.  It also will alert you to events coming up and problems that need to be addressed.  The SAYSO Newsletter is posted weekly on the AYSO website.  Please take the time to read the newsletter.

 

What is a VITP?   A Very Important Team Parent.  Each team and coach needs a Team Parent.  This person is vital to the operation of the team and helps the coach communicate important information to all the parents on the team.  This person also schedules the snacks and refreshments for the players.  The team parent makes sure their parents are at the fields for the first game of the day to set up field goals and to paint the fields.  Also for their parents at the end of the final game of the day to breakdown the goals clean up the fields of all trash and transport and empty the trashcans in the trash container.  Don’t forget to make a team banner.

 

My pet is part of the family.  The Rancho Santa Susana Community Park has signs that dogs must be on a leash.  We lease the fields and our policies override the park district.  The Region policy is very clear which restricts any type of animal any size at any practice or playing field or surrounding area where players are present. If you bring your pet you will be asked to take them home.  Thank you for your understanding.

 

Smoking, Profanity and Alcohol by the fields?   AYSO prohibits smoking near practice and playing fields, profanity and drinking of alcohol.  Anyone violating these policies will be ejected from the fields.  No exceptions.

 

AYSO is dedicated to promoting self-respect as well as respect for others.   Players, coaches, parents and spectators of Region 121 are expected to behave with the highest degree of decorum, sportsmanship, and respect for others.  This means that all comments directed to your child or other children are to be made in a positive manner.  Derogatory remarks, abusive language, intimidating behavior and threats will not be tolerated.  Any child or adult who behaves in a manner inconsistent with this policy will be asked to leave the field and is subject to removal from the program.  Any threats and/or acts of physical violence directed against any official in the program WILL result in immediate removal from the program.