Volunteer

How can a parent let the Region know they want to coach or referee or be a team parent?

Using www.ayso128.org - when you register (using the Register Now button), you will have the opportunity to select one or more volunteer roles, which include Coach, Assistant Coach, Team Parent and Referee, for each child being registered. As we get closer to the season, we will connect with the teams and parents to coordinate volunteer opportunities (such as snack bar, field setup, field takedown, etc...)

"Old School Approach" - you can always directly contact any Board Member to discuss what volunteer opportunities exist and would be a good match for you.

Volunteers Positions to Suit Everyone

Where do I Fit In?

We always need volunteers at the team level, division level and at the regional level. Take a look at these positions, select the one that suits you and volunteer!We have the training and support you need to have a great time enjoying soccer with your child. Some of the positions involve getting out in the fresh air, and they are marked "Active." Other equally important tasks can be done from the comfort of home; they are marked "Administrative." Each position also includes an estimate of the time commitment and training required. If you'd like to help out, but you don't see a position that's right for you, contact us and they'll help you find a way to contribute.

Coach (Active)

Coach Icon As a coach you will motivate, congratulate, teach, encourage, drill, console, strategize, lead, and mentor a small group of children or young adults. Even if you have no soccer experience, AYSO will help teach you the principles of the game and how to coach kids to have fun and learn soccer. You'll learn about the game and you'll likely love it so much you'll become a coach next year.

The rewards come in the form of watching the kids have fun at a game or practice, and watching their individual skills and teamwork improve. There is also a great sense of accomplishment when you reach the end of a season and look back and see how far the team has come. And for those who have "serious" jobs, there is no better way to regain your perspective than to watch a bunch of 7-year-olds at practice.

Time Commitment

Coaches have to put in a lot of work during the course of the season: up to 2 practices per week, plus a game on Saturday, plus preparation time for each practice, plus general administrative work. Over the course of a 16-week season this is well over 80 hours of work. While other volunteer positions require more or less time, coaching provides the greatest opportunity for you to have fun!

Assistant Coach (Active)

If you don't have time to be a head coach, then become an assistant coach! Skill and tactical coaching is more effective if players can be divided into smaller groups. Coaches may not be available at some practices or games. If there is no assistant coach, there will be no practices and no games when the coach is away. No experience or soccer skills are required – just be willing to come and have fun with the kids.

Time Commitment

Attend practices and assist coach as needed. Practice time depends on age group, from 35 minutes to 3 hours per week during the season.

Training

Coaches are AYSO certified. These courses are available online at aysotraining.org for both Coaches and Assistant Coaches:

Coach
     Course C002 - U-6 Coach (30-40 minute course)
    Course C003 - U-8 Coach (20-30 minute course)
    Course C004 - U-10 Coach (30-40 minute course)

Safe Haven
Course MT02 - AYSO's Safe Haven (60-70 minute course)
AYSO CDC Concussion Awareness (45-60 minute course)

Team Manager (Administrative)

Team Manager Icon The Team Manager coordinates and schedules the team roster, pictures, trophies, snacks, trash duty, phone calls, and parties. Offers refreshments to the referees at half time and after the game. AYSO requires that at least two adults be present at all practices and games. The team manager will ensure there is a practice parent designated to stay for the entire practice if either the coach or assistant coach will not be in attendance.

Training: Time Commitment:

On the job                                                                           Less than an hour per week during the season.

Safe Haven online at aysotraining.org
     Course MT02 - AYSO's Safe Haven (60-70 minute course)
     AYSO CDC Concussion Awareness (45-60 minute course)

Referee (Active)

Referee Icon Referees enforce the laws of the game and help assure that sportsmanship counts as much as points on the board. We need 400 Referees. One to three referees work every game. Referees can be as young as 12 years old. Volunteering is good for community service hours. It looks great on high school and college applications, too! Instantly recognizable uniform! You'll learn more about soccer than you thought there was to know!

Training

Referees need to register as a volunteer and be certified to the level they will be refereeing.

       Referee
         Course R002 - Basic Referee Online Training (60-100 minute course)

       Safe Haven online at aysotraining.org
          Course MT02 - AYSO's Safe Haven (60-70 minute course)
          AYSO CDC Concussion Awareness (45-60 minute course)

Time Commitment

Being a referee is the perfect slot for those AYSO parents who have crowded schedules. Your commitment consists of attending the classes and, when the season begins, attend games scheduled around your child's games (when you would be down at the fields anyway).

Referee courses are 4-12 hours, depending on the level. Referees typically ref at least one game each weekend during the season.

Trained Linesman (Active)

Linesman Icon Linesmen are volunteers who help the referee officiate games when a certified assistant referee (AR) is not available. Linesmen are used at U-7 through U-19 games, and we need more than 50 trained volunteers in these jobs. Being able to line properly, including the understanding and proper application of the offside law, is essential for helping referees do their jobs better. As a linesmen, you will move up and down the touch line, and signal to the referee with colorful flags!

Training

Referee
Course R002 - Basic Referee Online Training (60-100 minute course)

Time Commitment

In addition to the course, linesmen normally help line a game each weekend or every other weekend.

Division Coordinator (Administrative)

DC Icon Coordinate all activities of the division including registration, balancing of teams, allocation of coaches, scheduling of games, communications with registrars, coaches, referees and equipment manager. The Division Commissioners take care of tasks like the following:

Serve as liaison between Coach Administrator and coaches in a division.
First responder to coaching problems.
Ensure first home team sets up the field equipment and last home team takes equipment home.
Provide advice to ensure AYSO philosophy is upheld.
Pick up game cards in timely fashion.
Provide information to scheduler for spring season.
Balance and organize end of season tournament as appropriate.
Work closely with your registrar, referee scheduler, field marker and equipment manager.

Training

Attend two-hour training information session.

Time Commitment

Meet with coaches at August coaches meeting: 2-4 hours.
Coordinate conduct of division during season: 0-4 hours per week during season.
Distribute equipment at beginning of season and collect equipment at end of season: 2 hours.
Pass on information (email or phone) as required: less than 1 hour per week during season.
Coordinate new player additions with coaches and registrar.

Field Marker (Active)

Field Marker Icon It's a walk in the park - literally. Region 104 plays on over 50 fields 29 parks around Albuquerque. We need at least 29 Field Markers. Properly lined fields increase the enjoyment of the game for the kids and referee.

Training

Attend training to learn how to line fields.

Time Commitment

Line assigned fields as required on Thursday or Friday evenings: 2-4 hours per month.

Registration Volunteer (Administrative)

Registraiton Voluntter Icon Each year we register 4000 children to play soccer. We need 380 Registration Volunteers. The registration volunteer is the team’s representative at AYSO spring registration. This can involve greeting parents, answering questions, data entry, location code help, locating paperwork, etc.