FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q. Do I belong in Region 97?
A. While players may register in any region, the “boundaries” of Region 97 are generally considered to be the same as those of the Newport Harbor High School attendance area. Players who would one day attend Corona del Mar High School generally register with AYSO Region 57 (www.ayso57.org) and players who would one day attend Estancia or Costa Mesa High School generally register with AYSO Region 120 (www.costamesasoccer.com). AYSO has open registration, and we welcome all players, but we would prefer you make an informed decision.
Q. Is my child the right age for AYSO soccer?
A. Children between the ages of 4 and 18 as of July 31 of the year in which the fall season begins can play ayso soccer. For the fall 2009 season, that would mean players must be at least four and no older than 18 on July 31, 2009. Those dates are being slightly extended for the spring season. We are adding a special program for the youngest players called "Kick Start". Players born between August 1, 2005 and February 15, 2006 will participate in the "Kick Start" program.
Q. What is the Kick Start program?
A. AYSO National recently gave regions permission to accept younger players into the spring season. Many AYSO regions, including Region 97, are still experimenting to find the most effective and positive way of including these younger players. AYSO believes younger players can begin to learn soccer skills in a fun, safe, low pressure environment. This is what we hope to achieve with the "Kick Start" program. The players will receive uniforms, practice skills in a clinic environment, and play short sided matches. As the season progresses and the players evolve, our program will evolve along with them.
Q. What division will my child be in?
A. AYSO uses the player's age as of July 31st to determine the correct division. This AYSO year, the cut-off date will be July 31, 2009. The age of your child on this date will determine his or her division placement for the fall 2009 season. If you would like more information about age/division breakdowns, click here.
Q. How, when, and where can I register my child?
A. Registrations for the fall season are generally held in the spring. We sometimes begin our first registration as early as April and our last registration may be held as late as early June. Spring registration begins in November. We offer both mail-in and in-person registration Watch the calendar and web page for specific dates, times, and locations.
Q. What if we missed all the in-person registrations?
A. Once we have held our last in-person registration, you may be able to mail in a registration form. On-line pre-registration may also be available. It is always safest to attend an in-person registration, so watch the calendar and check the "Register" tab above.
Q. What is the region's address?
A. AYSO Region 97, P.O. Box 1848, Newport Beach, CA 92659
Q. Can't I just drop off the registration form at your office?
A. AYSO Region 97 is an all volunteer effort. We have no office. We are a group of volunteers working out of our homes between working and raising families. Snail mail, email, and our telephone answering machine are the best ways to reach us.
Q. What do I need to purchase for my child?
A. Each player will receive a uniform which includes shorts, a jersey, and socks. Players are required to wear shin guards. Soccer cleats are also recommended and most coaches like each player to bring a soccer ball to practices. Players in U05, U06, U07, and U08 use a size 3 ball. Players in U10 and U12 use a size 4 ball. Players in U14 and older use a size 5 ball.
Q. What does U05, U10, etc. stand for?
A. The "U" in each of those divisions stands for under. Players in U05 are less than five (four years old) on July 31 of year of the fall season. Players in U10 are less than ten years old (eight or nine years old) on July 31 of year of the fall season.
Q. When do the seasons start and end?
A. The first games of the Fall season will be scheduled for the first Saturday following Labor Day, and end before Thanksgiving. Coaches can begin practices around the middle of August. In the older divisions, play may be extended due to playoffs, tournaments and All Stars. The first games of the Spring season are generally scheduled early to mid March and the last game is played in mid May. Practices may begin in late February or early March.
Q. When and Where will my child's practices be held?
A. AYSO is an all-volunteer organization. As such, practices for all ages are held wherever and whenever the volunteer coaches can arrange to hold them. Most games, (all games in the younger divisions) are held on Saturdays in the Newport-Mesa general area.
Q. I would like to have my child placed on the same team with [Joey/Susie down the street] for carpooling purposes. Is this possible?
A. For children in the youngest divisions the division directors make an effort to accommodate requests, but there are no guarantees.
Q. My family will be away on vacation until [Labor Day/school starts/the end of August], will my child miss out?
A. Many families are away during this time. Every effort will be made to ensure that you receive a call from a coach by August 22. If you inform the coach (or Division Director) of your plans, there should be no problems. It would also be helpful to write a quick note on the registration form. This works for all types of registration as we must receive a signed hard copy of the registration form to complete registration no matter how you register. Enjoy your vacation and join the team upon your return.
Q. My child has [gymnastics/swimming/baseball] on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and will sometimes have conflicts with Saturday games. Can he/she be placed on a team that practices on Wednesdays?
A. Last year, Region 97 had over 1,800 kids registered to play soccer during our fall and/or spring seasons. Due to practice and playing field limitations, volunteer coaches’ scheduling difficulties and team balancing issues, this may not be possible. One of the tenets of AYSO is that, “Everyone Plays”. If your child will consistently have to miss practices and/or games, please think carefully about whether AYSO is right for your child at this time.
Q. When I registered, I specifically asked that my child be placed on [Coach Moore's/Coach Garrett's] team. I just got a call from a coach I never heard of before. Can I switch teams?
A. All of Region 97’s coaches, refs, field reps, division directors and board members are volunteers. Coaches and refs give up their personal time for training and certification purposes. Please allow everyone a chance to put what they’ve learned into practice. We have many popular and oft-requested coaches – think about becoming one, yourself!
Q. My child's birthday is before July 31st, but in school, he/she is with classmates who are younger. May my child "play down" in the younger division, so as to be on teams with kids with whom he/she goes to school?
A. AYSO is a national organization that determines the player divisions based on birthdates. The AYSO "year" runs from August 1st through July 31st. Many children are in "different" divisions than their school classmates. We encourage you to view this as a positive experience - it will allow your child to broaden his/her relationships outside of school and enjoy making new friends.
Q. "I work full-time." "I am a single parent." "I don't know anything about soccer." "I don't have time." How can I help?
A. AYSO is an all-volunteer organization. There are numerous positions to be filled and tasks to be completed. Some commitments can be completed in a few hours. In addition to coaching and refereeing, there is field preparation, team managing, player registration staffing, data entry maintenance, Pancake Breakfast and Picture Day staffing, volunteer registration, training administration and regional board openings. Log on to: eayso.org and follow the directions to “Pre-Register” as a volunteer. Print and sign at least two copies (no private information you enter will appear on the hard copy forms), and mail them to our PO Box or get them to one of our board members – and we’ll put you to work. Remember – “plAYSOccer” means everyone plays!
Q. Can I bring my Dog to a Game?
A. Dogs are not allowed at practices or games at any of the facilities for which AYSO obtains use permits. Please leave your dog at home. Dogs on leashes are equally not allowed at events. City ordinances and our use permits disallow dogs on school property, and our use permits for park fields dictate no dogs at the fields. Please make visiting grandparents, friends, ex-spouses aware of this restriction. Thank you for your cooperation in leaving your dog at home.
Q. My child will not be 4 years old by July 31, 2009, but he/she is very [big/strong/athletic/coordinated] for his/her age. Can we still sign up for the upcoming fall season?
A. AYSO is a national organization with very strict guidelines regarding age requirements. This is why we need to see a child’s birth certificate prior to completing registration. Children who do not meet the age requirement are not permitted to play. Be patient – they’ll grow up before you know it! Some players who are not elgible for fall soccer may be elgible for spring soccer.
Q. Is there a program for children with special needs?
A. Yes. Our region has a VIP Program during the fall season for children with special needs. These players can register at any of our regular registrations. Please speak to one of our registration volunteers and we will make sure your child is placed in the VIP program. You can also speak to one of these volunteers to help you decide whether the VIP or regular program is more appropriate for your child.
Q. My child is a really strong player. Is there a special program for my child?
A. If your child is between the ages of nine and thirteen, your child may be eligible to try out for a FLEX team.
Q. What should I do if I did not find the answer to my question on this page?
A. You may do one of two things. You may go to the "Contact Us" tab in the header of our "Home" page and send a message through the email link to the Message Center or send an email directly to your division director from the Board Roster. Messages received through the email link will be answered by one of our volunteers within 48 hours whenever possible.
