PARENTS & VOLUNTEERS
Who we are:
The Anderson Youth Soccer League relies exclusively on the help of volunteers. We are constantly in search of additional coaches, snack bar help, team parents, and board members.
Where you can help:
Coaches:
Without our coaches, there would be no soccer for our children. The most important thing about being a coach is that you enjoy working with children and know how to have fun and play fair. You do not need to know the game to become a coach. AYSL provides coaching clinics to help even the most inexperienced coach get started. Clinics usually take place during July. If you are interested in becoming a coach or have questions, please email our Coaching Coordinators, Ron Davis.
Snack Bar:
Our snack bar, built by our members in 2007, not only provides meals and refreshments to the players and spectators in our park, but also provides a source of revenue to help pay for referees and field maintenance. All of the proceeds go directly back into our league and volunteers are an important part of operating the snack bar. If you would like to volunteer to work in our snack bar, please email: ayslprcoordinator@yahoo.com, as we are currently in need of a snack bar chair.
Field & Equipment:
AYSL completely maintains our own fields and equipment. The City of Anderson is gracious enough to allow us to use the facilities at no cost to the League, but we are responsible for the mowing, fertilizing, striping, etc. The goals and nets belong to AYSL and match day setup is the League responsibility. If you are interested in helping with the fields, please contact the acting Field & Equipment Coordinator, Kevin Stoelting.
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Board of Directors:
The AYSL Board of Directors is responsible for developing, promoting and administering the game of soccer for our youth in the Anderson/Cottonwood area. There are 11 non-paid, volunteer officers who serve a 2 year term and are nominated and elected by the members of AYSL at the Annual General Meeting held in November. If you are interested in participating on the board, please contact our League President, Tim Martini.
PARENTS:
As a parent, you play a special role in contributing to the needs and development of youngsters.
Through your encouragement and good example, you can help all the boys and girls learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. In AYSL, young people learn to work together, to sacrifice for the good of the team, to enjoy winning and deal appropriately with defeat - all while becoming physically fit and healthy. Best of all, they have fun.
Support Your Child
Supporting your child by giving encouragement and showing interest in their team is very important.
Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory - that way your child will always be a winner despite the outcome of the game!
Always Be Positive
Parents serve as role models for their children. Be aware of this fact and work to be a positive role model. Applaud good plays by your child's team as well as good plays by the opposing team.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sports.
Remember: Your Child Wants To Have Fun
Remember that your child is the one playing soccer, not you. It's very important to let children establish their own goals - to play the game for themselves. Take care not to impose your own standards and goals on them.
Don't put too heavy a burden on your child to win games. Surveys reveal that 72% of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winning team.
Children play for the fun of playing.
Reinforce Positive Behavior
Positive reinforcement is the best way to help your child achieve their goals and overcome their natural fear of failure. Nobody likes to make mistakes. If your child does make one, remember it's all part of learning, so encourage your child's efforts and point out the good things your child accomplished.
Don't Be A Sideline Coach Or Referee
AYSL coaches and referees are usually parents just like you. They volunteer their time to help make your child's soccer experience a positive one. They need your support, too.
That means refrain from coaching or refereeing from the sidelines. In a volunteer organization like AYSL there's always an opportunity to take your interest in coaching or refereeing to the next level and become one yourself!