American Youth Soccer Organization
NATIONAL
ANNUAL
GENERAL
MEETING
May 22-24, 2015 Phoenix, Arizona
PRESIDENT’S
REPORTS
A M E R I C A N YO U T H
N AT I O N A L
S O C C E R
A N N UA L
O R G A N I Z AT I O N
G E N E R A L
M E E T I N G
AYSO NATIONAL PRESIDENT
REPORT TO THE MEMBERSHIP
MARK STEWART, NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Welcome to the first annual AYSO National President Report to the Membership.
This new communication replaces the traditional Book of Reports which in the last few
years had grown to nearly 100 pages. Your National Board of Directors believed there
had to be a better way. The goal for 2015 is to honor the time of our volunteers both as
readers and information providers. We want to give our Executive Members and other key
stakeholders the most useful, readable national information possible.
Your National Board of Directors has reached out to our Sections, Commissions and
National Office team and asked them for very brief highlights of only the most significant
new accomplishments that have national impact. Together we have kept this a shorter,
more succinct report that we ask every Executive Member to read.
The NBOD applauds the tremendous day to day efforts of all our Regions, Areas,
Sections, Commissions and National Office team. You bring families together and have
made millions of children smile. We all know the time and effort that goes into putting
our kids on the soccer field. You as our honored volunteers have the thanks of not only
your National Board of Directors, but of over 1.4 million parents and players and over 800
communities. Thank you!
NATIONAL INITIATIVES
NEW NATIONAL OFFICE EXECUTIVE TEAM
Ian McMahon joined AYSO in October as its new National Executive Director. Scott
Gimple, formerly the Director of Coaching, Events & Camps took on the newly created
role of Deputy National Executive Director. Ian joins us after a long career as a soccer
and sports executive in both the U.S. and abroad. He most recently served as CEO of
the Hong Kong Sevens, the largest rugby tournament in the world. His career has been
marked by an exciting track record of growth with every organization he has led and we
are very pleased he has joined AYSO. Scott draws upon his deep operations and finance
background to take over the day to day operations of the National Office and its service to
AYSO Regions and families.
We welcome Ian into his new role and thank Scott for stepping into the critical
operational role. Together the NBOD is confident that they will help AYSO grow and
prosper in the dynamic and ever changing U.S. soccer market while continuing to honor
our mission and vision.
50th ANNIVERSARY
• AYSO celebrated its 50th Anniversary in style with Section 1 as hosts of the
largest-ever AYSO National Games, welcoming nearly 500 teams to Torrance
and Riverside, Calif.
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• AYSO received nearly 300,000,000 (yes, that’s 300 MILLION!) media impressions
across the U.S. with its 50th Anniversary public relations/media campaign. Using the
services of public relations firm, The Regan Group, which was made possible by the
sponsorship of DOLE Fruit Squish’ems the story of AYSO, its history and its future
appeared in hundreds of newspapers, internet sites, magazines, television shows
with just some of the highlights including The Emmy Awards, Parade Magazine (the
largest circulation publication in the U.S.), Los Angeles Times, Time Magazine and
many, many more.
• For its 50th Anniversary, AYSO raised $100,000 for the Hugo Bustamante AYSO
Playership Fund. The funds were distributed to 102 Regions as additional support to
their own scholarship efforts and will help nearly 3,500 additional players participate in
AYSO who would not have otherwise been able to afford to play.
• FOX Sports 1 expanded its partnership with AYSO making it its exclusive youth soccer
partner and including the FOX Sports 1 logo on all AYSO jerseys.
• The 50th Anniversary Thank You Project featured a heartwarming video written
and directed by AYSO National Marketing Commissioner Member Daniel Gray and
produced by FOX Sports. It generated tremendous social media engagement with
AYSO families, volunteers and alumni.
PLAYER PROGRAMS
With the support of the National Coaching Advisory Commission, AYSO unveiled the
AYSO Playground program with eight Regions participating in the pilot with 333 players
registered. This soccer-themed program focuses on “physical literacy”, such as balancing,
kicking, skipping, throwing, etc. for three and four year olds. These are the skills that will
help these youngsters be more successful and have more fun in soccer and all other
physical activities.
• The NBOD has approved pilot programs in both Sections 10 and 12 that expand the
Challenge FC concept of try-out based programs that compete in non-AYSO leagues.
The objective is to offer AYSO players more serious soccer opportunities without being
required to leave AYSO.
• The AYSO adult league, NAASA (North American Adult Soccer Association), have
been active and are showing a growth trend with nearly 5,000 registered players.
AYSO is a strong National member of the United States Adult Soccer Association
(USASA), with a player population 11th in size out of 65 leagues across the country.
A survey has been conducted of administrators and players to help determine future
direction of the division.
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• NAASA chair Dan Klein was appointed as the Chairman of the Programs Development
Committee by John Motta, the new President of USASA. This is one of three
committees operating under the Membership Services Committee.
• Over 200 Regions contracted with AYSO Soccer Camps for professional training
services expanding our offering to our players and coaches.
• The National Tournament Advisory Commission worked throughout the year to
support Regions, Areas and Sections in providing “More Soccer For More Kids™”, to
enrich children’s lives, by encouraging and inspiring more Tournaments, SoccerFests,
FunFests, Indoor Soccer, VIP events and other types of Secondary Program
opportunities, in order for Regions to meet their geographic, cultural and program
needs, and to grow more player interest and participation.
• The VIP (Very Important Player) Program has gained visibility and growth as it prepares
to celebrate its 25th Anniversary. A parent and volunteer survey was sent widely this
fall and a very large response will help to enhance the program content and delivery.
Excellent volunteers have been honored with annual awards, new workshops are
being taught at every EXPO and VIP has a valued presence at several resource fairs
and in the disability community media.
LEGAL SUPPORT
• Particularly significant contributions of the National Legal Advisory Commission to AYSO
Regions in the past year have been dealing with field use issues, for which Burt Haimes
and Gary Holmen have been particularly helpful, and assisting with dispute resolution,
an area in which Steve Libowsky has performed yeoman work this past year.
• Also important advice has been provided to Safe Haven regarding various volunteer
issues, where Fred Main and Darryl Ross have provided significant assistance. Tom
Lebens has continued his great work in protecting AYSO’s important trademarks
and intellectual property. And Legal Commission members continue to donate their
time in other ways to help AYSO’s kids have fun playing soccer, including two Legal
Commission members – Jeff McClure and Bill Hummel serving on the National Board
of Directors.
TECHNOLOGY & INFORMATION SYSTEMS
• AYSO has focused on the next generation of eAYSO software. The combined National
Systems & Software Advisory Commission and National Office team are focusing
on replacing the most important pieces of our system first – namely the Player and
Volunteer Registration functions along with tools for Region websites. The mandate
is to create a welcoming, friendly system that is easy for parents and useful for
volunteers. Stay tuned this year for exciting announcements and enhanced user
interfaces. Our world-class youth soccer program deserves world-class systems and
software. An extensive Request for Proposal was designed with the assistance of both
volunteers and staff and sent to over 30 companies working in the registration space.
A long process of vetting narrowed the candidates down to a final handful. The final
selection process is in the works now.
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2015 President’s Report
• AYSO has completed a major transition project to paperless player and volunteer
registration via eSignature. The key benefits of this very large volunteer and staff
project has been to dramatically reduce the liability and storage of paper forms by our
Regions, the huge amount of CVPA administrative time needed to process and mail
the forms to the National Office, etc. Thousands of hours of volunteer and staff time
have been eliminated.
• In FY 2015, AYSO will be using Chrome River, a paperless, online volunteer and staff
travel expense management software application that will streamline reimbursements
and lower costs.
HONORS & AWARDS
• By recognition of its most extraordinary members who made an historic contribution
to the organization on a national basis, AYSO will be widely known and acknowledged
for its achievements in advancing the sport of soccer through the unique Philosophies
of AYSO. The National Board of Directors (NBOD), with assistance by the Hall of Fame
Commission, in 2014 chose six people for induction into the prestigious AYSO Hall of
Fame who were truly extraordinary individuals, including founders, pioneers, builders
and developers who were volunteers in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
• Carrying forward into 2015, the HOF Commission made earnest efforts to fulfill the
goal of encouraging the submission of nominations of worthy candidates, including a
special effort to elicit nominations for persons who made an historic contribution on a
national basis to the foundation, growth, enrichment and positive reputation of AYSO
and the sport of soccer for children, but may have been overlooked previously. The
three categories for candidacy are founders/pioneers, promoters/players and builders/
developers, and include truly historic contributions. The induction into the AYSO Hall of
Fame of the new class will take place at the 2015 NAGM in Phoenix, Ariz.
TRAINING & EDUCATION
• Ten AYSO EXPO events were held in 2015. Nearly 4,000 volunteers have attended
these important training, networking and inspirational events. Planning is underway
right now to assess this year’s EXPO tour, make practical changes that can improve
the quality of delivery and complete contracts for 2016 venues. Because of the large
costs involved with so many individual events, it is expected that we will combine some
of the EXPOs to create a more robust course offering and social opportunities, while
minimizing the expense and opportunity costs created by so many individual events.
• Regional Commissioner Training under the leadership of the National Management
Advisory Commission celebrated its 20th class in 2015. A total of 530 RCs have
experienced “AYSOU” – learning the opportunities of their position, the tools and
support available, sharing solutions with each other and returning home with renewed
energy, enthusiasm and determination. More than 70 instructors from 14 Sections
have participated – many of them RC Training graduates.
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• The Development and Marketing commissions combined to develop the new Regional
Support Volunteer Program (RSVP) that provides Regions with volunteer mentors who
can help identify opportunities and areas for improvement, and sources of assistance
to enable Regions to improve player and volunteer participation and experiences.
• The National Marketing Commission is also offering one-on-one assistance to
Regions. Those volunteers who missed their EXPO or need more information can
contact the NMC directly for support.
• Every AYSO Section had a renewed focused on training this year with Road Shows,
EXPOs, Super Camps and individual training events held across the nation. Hundreds
of Coach, Management and Referee training classes were held and thousands of
volunteers received training from volunteers and National Staff.
• The National Referee Advisory Commission has been continuing its work on the Strategic
Plan through the introduction of improved and increased Referee Mentor training.
• The NRAC introduced quarterly conference calls with Section Referee Administrators
and the Section Referee Staffs to improve communications and improve feedback
throughout the referee program.
• All referee EXPO workshops were reviewed and updated based upon feedback. Each
workshop included a customer service message related to how the workshop contents
could be used by the participants in their Regions and Areas. Workshop feedback
so far this EXPO season has been positive. Each workshop has been assigned to an
NRAC member to gather feedback and continue efforts to improve workshop quality. In
addition, efforts will look for new ideas and workshop topics for the coming year. Six new
workshops were added this year and there has been continued support of webinars to
provide on time training to referee administrators.
• The NRAC has also continued efforts to further enhance referee administrator
training elements.
• Two RC Continuing Education sessions were developed by Mike Karon of the National
Development Commission and National Development Manager Pete MacPhail and
launched at this years’ EXPO meetings. The workshops featured strategies and tactics
to assist Regions in identifying and exploiting the value they bring to their communities.
Section 1
AYSO SECTION ACHIEVEMENTS
Frances Stronks, Section Director
• Culminating AYSO’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, Section 1 proudly hosted
the largest ever 2014 National Games, welcoming 500 teams and featuring the
introduction of EXTRA™, the Ken Aston Cup and the Referee online sign-up,
assignment and match reporting program.
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2015 President’s Report
• Facilitating a targeted increase of trained and certified volunteers, our 2015 event
brought our overall Roadshow total to 2,567.
• A record 32 teams of VIP Players and their Buddies from Sections 1, 10 & 11 enjoyed
a day of soccer, friendship, food and fun at our 15th Annual VIP Tournament. It’s hard
to imagine a better way to spend a day.
Section 2
Yvette Barrett, Section Director
• Section 2 is focused on training. We provide as many opportunities as we can
throughout the year. We believe trained volunteers provide the experience our
players deserve.
• Section 2 holds an annual residential camp for volunteers. In 2014 we trained over 225
volunteers in coach, referee and management disciplines. We had 15 National Referee
candidates pass on their first try taking the test.
•We also have many Areas that hold Mini Camps. Section 2 is very proud of the
attendance we have for RC Training. This is an ongoing effort of all the Area Direcrtors
to get thier RCs trained.
Section 5
Michael Mays, Section Director
• Section 5 continues to offer training in all disciplines and at all levels through Super
Camps and several training events over the last year.
• Section 5 wants to bring more soccer to its players and that is why we have started
more VIP, Playtime Adventure and Secondary Play programs all across the Section.
Section 6
Jeff Ransom, Section Director
• Over 200 volunteers attended the Section EXPO in Madison, Wis.
• Road Shows were hosted by Area D and Area N. The Section Tournament will be
in June in Libertyville, Illinois. We also had an Area E Soccerfest and Soccer Slam in
6/E/1103.
• We had one Platinum Area (D), Regions 418, 568, 891 and 1112 all receive Platinum
awards as well as many Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honorable Mentions.
• Thanks to all Section and Area Staff!
Section 7
Maurice Miranda, Section Director
• Meadow Gold (MG) Sponsorship of AYSO Section 7 has expanded over the past
year. MG donated 1,700 MG True Moo/AYSO logo umbrellas to each team parent
for all core season teams in Section 7. They also donated a large canopy tent to each
Region with the True Moo/AYSO logo and to the Section for use at Tournaments. A
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children and Youth day at the Hawaii State Capital in November was co-sponsored
by Meadow Gold and AYSO. MG is working with AYSO on Maui to do the same kind
of event. They supply product as value in kind for the EXPO, Section, Area, Region
Tournaments, opening & closing day ceremonies and any special events. They donate
to each Region $1 for every uniform issued with their logo.
• Section 7 is developing a new sponsor relationship with Papa John’s Pizza Hawaii. For
the next two months to coincide with most Region’s registration for MY2015, Papa
John’s is attaching registration flyers on top of every pizza box. Estimated to be around
60,000 boxes. They also are offering Regions “buy one get one free” cards to sell for
$10. The card expires one year after purchase and the Region keeps $9 out of the $10.
Papa John’s is located on Oahu only and will be opening on Maui soon. They supplied
food for the tournament and referee staff at our Kirk Banks Tournament.
• 100% submission of AAP and RAP last year. (The first time this has been
accomplished since Mark Stewart was SD for Section 7!)
• To address player registration declines we put together a marketing committee last
August. Some of the recommendations to come out of the committee:
1. Coordinate Section-wide registration dates so most Regions are registering on the
same day. Run statewide ads to advertise the universal dates.
2. Hold registration in public places (malls, shopping centers, etc.) and let Regions
register players for other Regions.
3. Rebuild the Section website to make it easier to register and find information with
drop-down menus on the opening page (The rebuild has started and should be
finished shortly).
Section 8
Carolyn Taylor, Section Director
• Section 8 is made up of eight Areas and 92 Regions in Michigan. We have
approximately 29,000 players and 5,100+ volunteers.
• Areas holding more opportunities to train volunteers
• EXPO was energizing for all who attended
• Four Regional Commissioners attended RC Training and one Area Director attended
AD Training.
• Added: Six new Advanced Coaches, two new National Coaches, one Advanced
Referee, one new National Referee and five Advanced Coach Instructors.
Section 9
Eileen Tabert, Section Director
• We welcomed two Regions from Colorado into Section 9, Regions 1225 in Fountain
and 1553 in Colorado Springs. Our top priority was to establish good communication
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and an excellent working relationship. To that end we went to Colorado to meet face
to face with both Regional Boards. The meetings proved to be highly successful! We
look forward to providing continued training and support to both!
• An ongoing priority is training of our volunteers. We continued to offer local training
as well as sending highly qualified instructor teams on Road Shows to Montana
throughout 2014-15. We also delivered a successful EXPO in Salt Lake City, Utah. A
“selfie” scavenger hunt was designed to encourage attendees to get to know others
outside their Region, Areas and state as well as National Staff, our vendors and attend
all the planned events. We learned and had a fun time!
• We are proud of our tradition of supporting sister Regions! A new program was started
in Rangely, Col., under an established neighboring Region in Vernal, Utah. When the
word spread in Section 9 that Rangely needed everything to start up their program,
sister Regions provided money, uniforms, equipment and training!
Section 10
Richard Pagliari, Section Director
• Section 10 had an increase in membership this year. This is through the vigilant efforts
of our volunteers to provide great customer service, make phone calls, send email
blasts and have personal conversations. We have a strong volunteer base, including
6,100 coaches and over 6,000 referees.
• We had our VIP Festival in November. It was hosted by 10-D-91.
• The Section 10 EXTRA™ Program continues to grow. Interest in the program is
evidenced by the willingness of participants to give back by volunteering in the
Core Program.
• This year Section 10 is offering the Challenge program, a higher level, tryout-based
program so the Section can now offer three levels of play to fit the needs of all kids.
• The Section 10 Planning Meeting was held in Ventura and was well attended. This
meeting is open to every Region. Value is shown through inclusion.
• We had 100 percent roster return for coach, referee and management instructors. It is
very important to make sure volunteers receive credit in a timely manner.
Section 11
Bob Beale, Section Director
• Section 11 successfully hosted the Western State Championships at the newly
completed Lake Forest Sports Park on the weekend of March 21-22.
• This was the inaugural event at this complex. Champion teams from Sections 1,2,
10 & 11 were competing in League and All Star competition over the weekend.
• The Section 11 VIP tournament was held in San Clemente at the Vista Hermosa Sports
Park in October 2014. 48 teams from our AYSO VIP program, TOP Soccer, Special
Olympics and other special needs programs participated in the free tournament.
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Section 12
Doug Ryan, Section Director
• We expanded our successful Area 12C Challenge program to encompass the entire
Section. This enhancement allows us to provide more soccer for more kids while helping
us slow attrition. We are now more unified as larger Area operated club-type programs
instead of a cluster of individual Regional programs.
• We have established a partnership with the Arizona Youth Soccer Association (AYSA),
Arizona’s U.S. Soccer Club affiliate, promoting the AYSO VIP program along with
their TOP Soccer initiative. Marketing support by AYSA will facilitate growth of the VIP
program in Arizona and may be the model for other areas.
Section 13
Bob Lasagna, Section Director
• Section 13 was reorganized by the closing of two Areas and consolidating the
remaining active Regions with neighboring Areas realizing significant cost savings to
the organization.
• All Area Directors diligently worked to ensure that all active charter and pilot Regions (85)
had currently registered Regional Commissioners including complete Regional Boards.
• The Section, through its Area Directors continues working with the Regions on the
transition of utilizing eAYSO for all volunteer and player registrations. Also, included is
ensuring that all volunteers are assigned specific job descriptions for Area, Section and
National statistical reports.
Section 14
Richard Schwartz, Section Director
• Section 14 has made significant inroads this year in Regional growth. We have had
two Regions join our family from the hotbeds of soccer in the State of Florida. Parrish
has tripled their anticipated first year player count and the Orlando Region is going to
begin soccer operations this fall in what should prove to be a very fruitful location.
• Section 14 has secured the venue for the 2016 AYSO National Games to be played in
Wellington, Fla. Work has begun to make the AYSO National Games 2016 the most
enjoyable experience for AYSO families across the country.
The millions of hours that our Region, Area and Section volunteers devote every year
to AYSO cannot be encapsulated in any single document. But we hope this brief overview
of our 2014 Membership Year gives our Executive Members a glimpse at the activities
and projects that are happening across AYSO. The year has been a very full one! We are
excited about all of the opportunities and challenges ahead as we move into MY2015.
Thank you for your passion, commitment and focus on keeping it fun!
MARK STEWART
AYSO NATIONAL PRESIDENT
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