General Program Information
AYSO Region 1654 typically registers over 150 players for the Fall Rec Season. Players are placed in age divisions 4U, 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 19U (U stands for Under that age. For example: 12U means children that are under 12 years of age as of July 31 of the year in which the fall season begins.)
Children between the ages of 6 and 18 can join AYSO on gender specific teams based on the AYSO Age Guide for the current Membership Year. Children younger than 5 are placed in an academy format that is co-ed. Each team has a registered and background checked VOLUNTEER coach that is or must become age-appropriate certified. Coach Certification is provided free of charge by AYSO. Some upper levels of Coaching Certification may involve travel and multiple day classes.
Teams participate in a full season where fun and player development are the primary focus. In competitive divisions (defined as 10U-19U) team wins and losses are recorded. Teams in the 12U – 19U Divisions may experience interplay travel with neighboring regions during the Fall Season; all players in divisions 4U-10U shall play all their matches in the Region 225 Community.
Registration for the Fall Season generally begins in July prior to the season. In accordance with AYSO Philosophy Region 1654 maintains an Open Registration policy and accepts players from all locations.
Coaches Selection
Persons interested in coaching a Fall Season team must complete a Volunteer Registration Form indicating the desire to coach, complete AYSO Safe Haven training and have age-appropriate coaching certifications or attend trainings to obtain said certifications. We provide coach training and certification free of charge, several times a year. All coaching applicants, whether new or returning, are reviewed by the Regional Coach Administrator, Regional Referee Administrator, Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate and Regional Commissioner.
Approval of a coaching applicant is based on many criteria including but not limited to AYSO Safe Haven background check, coaching and referee certification level, field reputation, sportsmanship and disciplinary history, compliance with AYSO Region 1654, Area D, Section 12, and AYSO National Guidelines, Policy Statements and adherence and support of AYSO Philosophies. Generally Region 1654 is willing to give coaches an opportunity to become more educated and develop a coaching style; however, all coaches should be aware that the prime objective of Region 1654 is for players to have fun and develop their skills as an individual and a teammate. Coaches that lose sight of the primary goals of fun and development as a result of an excessive desire to win will be mentored and in extreme cases can be asked not to return to the coaching ranks.
Assistant Coaches
Many an AYSO coach began his/her coaching career as an Assistant. Being an Assistant Coach provides a perfect avenue for learning the game of soccer and developing a coaching style. Coaches should select an Assistant Coach that is dependable, willing to learn and above all interested in providing the players with an enjoyable sporting experience. It is the desire of AYSO Region 1654 that Assistant Coaches be developed in hopes that they eventually become Head Coaches.
Player Placement
Players are placed on Fall Season rosters based on the AYSO Philosophy of Balanced Teams. Each year coaches will be asked to provide detailed evaluations of players in order to accurately balance teams the next season. Coach-generated evaluations are the cornerstone of team balancing. Inaccurate and/or careless evaluations can have far-reaching effects and often lead to player, parent and volunteer frustration and disappointment. Additionally, all evaluations are confidential and coaches should not share or discuss their evaluations with players or parents. Other variables that can affect player placement are factors such as Spring Select experience, positional expertise (goalkeepers) and historic volunteer support by parents.
All AYSO regions strive to improve balancing each year. Parents and volunteers should understand that no system for player placement is perfect and despite best efforts of volunteer regional staff there are always teams that experience more match day success than others.
Refund Policy
In the unfortunate event, your child is unable to participate after registration is complete, refund requests must be sent via email to AYSO1654treasurergmail.com.
1. A $17.50 Membership Fee is charged to each registration and this fee is NON-REFUNDABLE. Registration is the $17.50 Membership Fee + Registration Fee.
2. If your refund request is submitted more than 30 days before the first scheduled game, a full refund of the Registration Fee will be issued.
2. If a request is submitted less than 30 days before the first scheduled game, then only a 50% refund of the Registration Fee will be issued.
3. ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS will be issued after the first game, regardless of circumstance.
By submitting your registration, you agree to the above refund policy.