1. sports
2. soccer

AYSO Region 161 - Port Huron
PO Box 595615
Fort Gratiot, MI 48059
Field Location: 3344 Beach Rd,
Port Huron, MI 48060
NON PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PORT HURON, MI
PERMIT #975
SOCCER KICKS
NEWS
www.AYSO161.org
810.989.1918
April 2015
From the Regional Commissioner
DATES TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR
April 25
OPENING DAY
May 9
Picture Day
June 6
Picture & Trophy Pick Up Day
June 13
Fun Day 10-1pm
June 13
Fall ‘15 Registration 9-3pm
It really does ‘take a village’ to make an AYSO region run. As a 100% volunteer run organization, we count on the generosity and
talents of parents, relatives and others in the community. We are very thankful for everyone that stepped up to coach, referee,
take a board position, sponsor a team, or volunteer for any of the hundreds of jobs that are needed to make our region run. Your
generosity helps create a wonderful experience and a great memory for all of our children. Region 161 has every reason to be
proud. A sincere thank you. See you on the fields!
Suzanne Saunders, Regional Commissioner
www.AYSO161.org
810.989.1918
Thank You to our Sponsors
Gold Level
Xtreme Powerline Construction - Cargill
Bauer-Reno Real Estate - Marcotte
Realty Executives Home Towne
JoAnn Wine & Associates
Silver Level
Speedy Q - Lakeview Oral Surgery
Jeff’s Rubbish - Skate Port - Dick’s Signs
Semco Energy - Scott J. Ferguson Dentistry
McDonalds - Children Health Care
Port Huron Hospital • Guardian Pest Avenger
AYSO PHILISOPHIES
• Everyone Plays - Everyone plays at least 1/2 the game. No player should play the whole game until everyone has played 3/4.
• Balanced Teams - Every team is balance when the teams are created based on age and rated from previous year’s coach.
• Open Registration - No one is left out while registration is open. Once teams have been set, we add as many children to finish filling out the teams as we can
on a first come, first serve basis.
• Positive Coaching - Encourage players by telling them what they have done right, then instruct how to improve on what needs improvement.
• Good Sportsmanship - Set the good example, be the good example, show others how to do the same.
• Player Development - Every two years coaches are upgraded in their training so that they understand the age group they are teaching and know how to
improve each players skills to the best of their ability.
OPENING DAY
RULES & REGS & WHAT TO DO SO EVERYONE HAS A GREAT TIME!
Once you step onto
the field you are now
entering the
Safety First!
It is always our goal to keep everyone safe, both at practices and
games. Just as a refresher - here are some basic safety guidelines:
• Kids are #1
• Fun - not winning - is everytjing
• Fans cheer and coaches coach
• No yelling in anger
• Respect the volunteer referees
• Leave no trash behind
• Set a proper example for the kids
AYSO Lightfoot Field Guidelines
• No DOGS or PETS of any kind (on any AYSO Fields)
• No Glass Bottles, Smoking or Alcoholic Beverages
• No Speeding in Parking Lot or down Beach Road
• Pick up all trash from your team after each game!
• No practices allows on fields during spring season
• See Weather Alert guidelines inside for playing games.
• To watch a game, please sit behind sidelines at least 3 feet
and between the 2 goal boxes.
• Please Slow Down - Beach 25mph, Park 5mph
• Soccer shoes ONLY - no football or baseball cleats
• NO shin guards? NO playing. • No climbing on goals
• NO jewelry on the fields (includes starter earrings)
• Follow all AYSO soccer rules
• No heading or slide tackling allowed below U12
• Coaches should have their rosters with registration forms and first
aid kits with them at all practices and games. Extra first aid
supplies are available at concession trailer.
• ALL injuries requiring doctors visit that are directly related to AYSO Non-AYSO use of fields is by AYSO permit only. For permit
play must be reported promptly to the Safety Director.
info: [email protected]
Your Kid is Going to Make Mistakes - That’s How They Will Learn
by Mike Woitalla, executive editor of Soccer America - reprinted from PLAYSOCCER-AYSO Parent Magazine
Your Kid is Going to Make Mistakes
Watch the world’s best soccer players, like Lionel MessiWhat
or Marta,
andAYSO
you’ll beCoach
amazedWants
at how You
they control
and stroke the ball while moving
Every
to Know
by
Mike
Woitalla,
the
executive
editor
of
Soccer
America
reprinted
from
PLAYSOCCER
swiftly, feinting with their body, improvising ways–to
elude defenders game after game - a combination of high skill and creativity.
AYSO Parent Magazine
Watch the world’s best soccer players, like Lionel Messi or Marta, and you’ll be amazed
how they
control
stroke the ball
while moving swiftly,
withof
their
body,
if we could see these soccer stars playingat
when
they
wereandchildren?
Messi,played
in thefeinting
streets
Rosario
improvising ways to elude defenders game after game – a combination of high skill and
creativity.
home country of Argentina, Marta, the world’s best women’s player, didn’t join a team until age 14, her prior
What
in his
What if we could see these soccer stars playing when they were children? Messi, who
soccer comprising of pick-up games in the Brazilian
Riachos.
We’d see
lose
the
ballinlots
and
today village
plays for of
FCDois
Barcelona
and is considered
thethem
greatest
male
player
the world,
playedofinplaying
the streetswithout
of Rosario
in his home
country
of Argentina.
Marta,
the
world’s
lots while trying out moves. But they had the luxury
adults
around
shouting
at
them
to
pass
or
best women’s player, didn’t join a team until age 14, her prior soccer comprising of pickup
games
in
the
Brazilian
village
of
Dois
Riachos.
We’d
see
them
lose
the
ball
lots
moaning when their moves didn’t work. While mastering
their brilliant dribbing skills, they had to fail thousands of
and lots while trying out moves. But they had the luxury of playing without adults
shouting at them to pass or moaning when their moves didn’t work. While
times - yet never hesitating to try and try again. around
mastering their brilliant dribbling skills, they had to fail thousands of times – yet never
hesitating to try and try again.
When
Jamestheir
Joycechildren
said, “Mistakes
are the
portals of
discovery,”
he was
talking and
about
On today’s youth soccer fields in America, parents
watch
closely,
bringing
with
them that
innate
life in general. In sports, top coaches recognize that the fear of failure hinders athletes
from
excelling.
“If
you’re
not
making
mistakes,
then
you’re
not
doing
anything.”
said
powerful desire to see their children succeed. But
we must not allow that well-intentioned ambition to blind us to the
basketball legend John Wooden.
fact that for children to improve and enjoy the game,
they must be afforded the freedom to explore it on their own
On today’s youth soccer fields in America, parents watch their children closely, bringing
with them that innate and powerful desire to see their children succeed. But we must
terms.
not allow that well-intentioned ambition to blind us to the fact that for children to improve
and enjoy the game, they must be afforded the freedom to explore it on their own terms.
know that in the learning process, missteps or mistakes are the beginning foundation of building the stepping stones of
A big challenge for American youth coaches who“We
areallguiding
thei rplayers in an age-appropriate way - AYSO coaches are trained and certideveloping,” says Dave Chesler, U.S. Soccer Director of Coaching Education.
fied for their team’s age groups - is that parents Upon
may becoming
misinterpret
their lack
interference.
They U.S.
mayWorld
expect
U.S. Soccer’s
YouthofTechnical
Director, former
Cup more interaction when in fact the
captain Claudio Reyna traveled the world observing coaches at the clubs with the
coaches have correctly created an environment most
for asuccessful
natural youth
learning
of the game. “Soccer is such a fluid game.“Mistakes
It’s a game of mistakes.
are the
programs.
People are making deicisions all the time, but it’s“The
thecoaches
best decision
they
make
in that
split
second.
As parents, we want to control so we’re
were guiding
the can
training,”
he says.
“They
were
not controlling.
portals of discovery”
on top of the kids. They were not stopping the play for every
yelling from the sidelines like “run faster”, “coverThey
thatweren’t
player”,
“pass the ball”. That results in players not getting the chance to figure out how to
mistake.
make their own decisions, losing out on an opportunity
tofirst
bestart
creative
and
problem
“When you
coaching
young
players,solve
you seeon
sotheir
many own.
things, because, yes, they make mistakes, and if you see a lot of
mistakes, you want to correct a lot of mistakes. But these coaches were really letting the kids learn the game.”
A big challenge for American youth coaches who are guiding their players in an age-appropriate
wayto
– AYSO
are trained
certified
for theirAYSO’s
team’s age
groups Development
– is that parents may
“We step in too quickly - trying to correct before the child even has a chance
learncoaches
on his/her
own.”andScott
Snyder,
Player
misinterpret their lack of interference. They may expect more interaction when in fact the
Technical Advisor states. Besides the fact that players are more likely to master
if they’re
not
over-coached
at the
earlyof the
states
of Parents
their who
coachesthe
havegame
correctly
created an
environment
for a natural
learning
game.
understand kindergarteners aren’t taught trigonometry or forced to read Shakespeare may not
development - soccer is their playtime, not a time to fear parental disappointment.
have enough familiarity with soccer to gauge at what aptitude a player or team can be expected
HELP NEEDED FOR SPRING SEASON!
Kids’ feet grow!
AYSO is run by VOLUNTEERS! That means that everyone who signs up their child to play is asked to help in some way so that each season
can run smoothly!AYSO
We need
help
before,
during and after each season. You do not need to know how to play soccer in order to help. You can
161
Cleat
Exchange
also get your children involved in many of the volunteer activities needed.
Do you have perfectly good cleats that are too small? Donate your used soccer cleats to our Cleat
Exchange Program. We'll start with a few Cleat Drop-off dates in May and June and then we'll hold a
Concessions
Schedule
Manager
- Weseason.
still need
whotowould
be gently
interested
coordinating the Concession Trailer
Cleat Exchange
at the start
of the Fall 2014
Yousomeone
are welcome
drop off
usedin
shin
guards
too.
Volunteers. You do not need to run the trailer yourself unless you wish to. We are asking coaches to have 1 volunteer from each team that are
!
ready to do an
hourDrop
before
or Lightfoot
after a game.
We just -need
someone
to organize
theand
schedule.
Cleat
off at
Concession
9am-1pm
- Saturday,
May 31
June 7, The
14 monies we earn from the concession stand
Cleats must
be inadecent
condition,
a condition
that care
you would
be happy
play in
will go to buy¥ supplies
to build
pavilion
here oni.e.
ourinfields.
We take
of stocking
thetofood.
Children U14 and higher are welcome to come
¥ Please be sure that cleats are clean
and help in the
concession
stand. Contact
Saunders
at 810-887-8107
info.off in the labeled bins at the
¥ Just
tie them together,
write theSue
shoe
size on the
bottom and dropfor
them
Concession
stand
on
May
31
or
June
7,
14
Concessions Crew Managers - We are looking for 10 Concession Crew Managers for the spring Season. We need one each
for Monday, Tuesday
Thursday
andfind
one
for each
of the
Saturday
days.
personDay,
would
to come to a 1 hour training to show
We cannotand
guarantee
thatnights
you will
a pair
of cleats
in your
size on
CleatThis
Exchange
but need
it's nice
to know that
your how
usedwe
cleats
be of
putthe
to good
by end
another
player.
you where everything
is and
takewill
care
cash use
at the
of the
night. You would be in charge on your day of all volunteers that
work the concession stand that day. We are hoping that splitting up the job will get some people willing to help.
You Sitting
ON
the Field?
WebsiteAre
Coordinator
- Our
old website
has crashed and a new one is being implemented with a WordPress format. We need
someone knowledgeable
in website
design
that can
keep itlines
up to
date withFor
upcoming
registration
dates, new game schedules and other miscelThe game of soccer
is played
beyond
the touch
(sidelines).
safety and
to avoid interrupting
the flow
of season.
the game,Contact
it’s important
that you sit RC
or stand
at least 1 yardif back
frominterested
the touch in
lines
and
laneous updates
each
Sue Saunders,
at 810-887-8107
you are
helping.
never stand or sit behind the goal lines.
Fun Day Manager - Fun Day is no fun if we don’t have the volunteers signed up and organized. We need someone to help so the kids
can have a great time. It’s easy, phone calls and creating a schedule. Contact Sue Saunders at 810-887-8107 if interested.
!
THANK YOU TO
OUR 2014 SPONSORS
FALL REGISTRATION
Much of what AYSO Region 161 does for your children
would not be possible without the continuing support of the
businesses in our community who sponsor our region.
!
GOLD SPONSORS
Bauer-Reno & Assoc. Real Estate
Joann Wine and Associates
Xtreme Powerline Construction
Marcotte Disposal
to play at a particular age group. They may also refer to the other sports that are unlike soccer.
!
“All of the American sports are coach-centric,” says Scott Gimple, AYSO’s Director of
So let the children play, let them learn on their own, both by making mistakes
and by creating
triumphs
off the
field.
Let’sThey
be send
quietin the
Development.
“The coaches
call the both
plays. on
Theand
coaches
call the
defense.
signal in all those sports. Soccer’s not that way.”
on the sidelines and watch and learn ourselves about the sport of soccer. “The
Ourother
children
are smarter than we sometimes give them credit for.
thing is that soccer is such a fluid game. It’s a game of mistakes. People are
making decisions all the time, but it’s the best decision they can make in that split second. As
parents, we want to control so we’re yelling from the sidelines like we would if we were watching
baseball: “Throw it to first!....Throw it to second!”…Giving them directions.”
Bad Weather Alert - Soccer is played rain or shine. The ONLY time games are canceled region
Scott Snyder, AYSO’s Player Development Technical Advisor, says parent and coaches need to
restrain themselves.
“We step in too quickly – trying to correct before the child even has a chance to learn on his
own,” Snyder says.
Besides
the fact that
are more likely
to masterand
the game
if they’re are
not over-coached
at the early stages of their
If lightning appears during a game, all games are
suspended
forplayers
15 minutes.
All players
spectators
to
development – soccer is their playtime, not a time to fear parental disappointment.
leave the field, proceed to their cars and wait 15“There’s
minutes.
thischange
time, the
will decide
to to prevent them from making mistakes, wanting
got toDuring
be a cultural
from officials
parents hovering
over thewhether
kids and trying
to do what they think is best for them by giving them instructions, pointing out obvious solutions that they can see, to help their
resume, extend or reschedule the game(s). At the
end
of
15
minutes,
coaches
and
officials
will
decide
the
outkids be successful. What we want them to do is sit back and let their kids try something different and not necessarily succeed,
try it again, and keep trying again until they are successful and have figured it out.
come and report to players and parents. Usuallyandif then
game
is more than 1/2 over it is considered completed. If the
It’s like giving a child a puzzle and telling them where to put the pieces because you don’t want them to make mistakes. When
game has not reached half-time then the game will
to be rescheduled.
If you
need
reschedule
game,
reallyneed
what children
do by trying different
pieces
of theto
puzzle,
they learnahow
to put together a puzzle.”
please contact Suzanne Saunders via email at [email protected]
field
availability.
“Parents should allow them to do to
thatdetermine
when they play
a sport.”
CLEAT EXCHANGE
Kids’ feet grow fast! Do you have perfectly good cleats that are too small sitting around your home? Many of us do. Donate your
kids used soccer cleats to our Cleat Exchange Program. Cleats must be in decent condition, i.e. in a condition that you would be
happy to take and use for your child. Please make sure that cleats are clean and tied together well. We will have size labeled bins
at the concession stand on May 30th, June 6th and June 13th. Feel free to check out what is already in the bin and take what you
need for the upcoming fall season.
Our Region web site is a great resource for
Region news, information, game schedules,
calendar of events and so much more.
161 Board Members
MARK YOURAYSO
CALENDARS!
Suzanne Saunders
Regional Commissioner
Aley Minton
Simon Swegles
Karen Jennings
Registrar
Referee Administrator
Coach Coordinator &
SILVER SPONSORS
Treasurer
Cargill (2 teams)
Rebekah Armstrong
Child Volunteer
Jeff’s Rubbish Disposal, Inc.
Protection Advocate
Lakeview Oral Surgery
(CVPA)
McDonalds
John Nowiski
Field Director
Port Huron Hospital Foundation
U6DDS
- U19
- $65.00
U04 &U05
per player
(6 Sessions)*
Nowiski - $50.00
Sponsor
Coordinator
Scott Ferguson,
Family
Dentistryper player (10 Games) Kathy
Jean Chapdelaine
Coach Trainer
Semco Energy Gas Company
Family Discount: $60.00 2nd
player
$55.00 3rd
or more
Brian
Jennings
Coach
Trainer
Speedy Q Markets
Please
Secretary
Dick’s Signs
includes:
Uniform, AYSO Injury insurance coverage, 1 week
ofVolunteer
practice before
games start and 6 weeks
Please Volunteer
Safety Director
Skate Port 2
Saturday, June 13th - 9am - 3pm
Lightfoot Fields - 3344 Beach Rd., Port Huron, MI 48060
That results in players not getting the chance to figure out how to make their own decisions,
losing out on an opportunity to be creative and problem solve on their own.
wide is in the event of a Tornado Warning.
AYSO161.ORG
Price
!
!
of practices and
games during season
BRONZE SPONSOR
Practices
begin
the
week
before
Labor
Day.
Games
begin the week after Labor Day and end the 2nd Saturday in October
Children’s Healthcare - 2 sponsorships
AYSO Region 161
P.O. Box 595615
MI 48059
2 Ways to register your player and sign upFort
toGratiot,
volunteer:
Please support the organizations that support AYSO Region
161. If you are interested in Sponsorship, or for more
information, please contact Kathy Nowiski at 810-984-1828.
!
Hotline: 810.989.1918
#1 - In-Person Registration on June 13th ONLY. We will not have computers at the soccer field due to no internet
access. Please register your player online beforehand and then you can come to the registration table to confirm and pay. All New
U4 players will need to come to this registration so if you know of any parents with children in this age group, please pass on this
information. Go online to www.ayso161.org and in the registration tab there are directions on how to complete player and volunteer
applications. All players will not be registered unless all e-signatures are complete and payment is made. Print and bring in 1 copy
of both with you on June 13th. New players we will need to see a copy of birth certificate.
#2 - Online Registration: Go online to www.ayso.org and follow directions to complete player and volunteer applications and
pay fee online using PayPal. To pay fee you must go to the www.ayso161.org website and go to the registration tab, then click on
the PayPal button. You do not need to have a PayPal account to be able to pay using our PayPal. Please make sure that you finish
all e-signatures and then make payment.
A PLAYER IS NOT REGISTERED UNTIL PAYMENT IS MADE IN FULL .
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE 24/7 starting on June 1, 2015. Registration will close after
July 5th so that we may construct teams and order uniforms.