AYSO is an all-volunteer organization, and we rely on the commitment and involvement of volunteers to organize, manage, coach, referee and support a top-quality soccer program for our players. We would not exist without the contributions of this great group!
Comprehensive training for all volunteers places significant emphasis on building a safe and positive playing environment, based on the AYSO philosophy. Opportunities to build and enhance coaching, refereeing, and management skills are offered throughout the year at workshops and skill sessions.
Volunteers can serve as a:
- Coach
- Referee
- Board Member
- Publicity
- Division Manager (Team Formation)
- Photo Day Manager
- As-needed Volunteer (we'll call when we need help)
- At-large Board member
Please consider volunteering in some way when you register. Remember, when everyone does something, no one has to do everything! To volunteer, select the appropriate options during player registration or contact Jim Moore, our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@hpayso.org.
Important Coach Information for the 2009-2010 Season
Complete an Online Volunteer Application at www.eayso.org.
Print and mail your completed volunteer form to HP AYSO, PO. Box 99, Highland Park, IL 60035, or fax it to 312-896-8929.
Make sure you note your volunteer number, as you may need this number for additional online training.
Please complete and mail your form as soon as possible!
All Volunteers are required to submit this form annually, so please complete and send yours in even if you have done so in previous years.
Coach Certification Training
You must be certified at the level at which you intend to coach.
U8 & U10 Coaches training is available online; log on to http://www.aysotraining.org to complete the written portion of this training.
The field work portion of the U-10 coach course will be offered in August.
The U10 coach course is required by AYSO National. The class part of the course may be taken on-line and takes about one hour. A coach needs to complete both class and field portions to earn the U-10 certification.
U-12 and U-14 certification classes will be offered before the start of the season.
For Coach Training times in the area, log in to eAYSO.org, Click on Volunteer, Click on "Sign up for a course", and select the course you are looking for. For example, you may want to select "U-8 Coach" or "U-10 Coach".
Coaching FAQs
Q: What is involved in being a coach? Assistant coach?
A: Coaches run one weekday practice and a weekend game, teach and encourage kids, and have a lot of fun. Parents help with team organization tasks. There is some administrative responsibility woth respect to reporting scores and player evaluations at the end of the season.
Q: I don't know anything about soccer. Can I still help coach?
A: Yes indeed. We provide training and other materials. Being a coach involves skills you probably already have, in addition to specific soccer knowledge. If you are uncertain, try being an assistant coach. The Coach Administrator will be happy to try to match you up with somebody with a little more experience.
Q: What training is provided for coaches?
A: There are two parts to coach training. There is also age-specific training which covers soccer techniques, strategies, and teaching ideas appropriate to the age group. These clinics are held on weekends, and vary from a half day to two days. You must attend coach training to be covered by the Volunteer Protection Act. There is more about coach training in the coach pages.
Highland Park AYSO runs a number of clinics, and there are additional possibilities in clinics put on by other AYSO regions in the area.
Q: When are the coach clinics?
A: Most clinics are in Spring and Summer.