As a parent, you play a special role in contributing to the needs and development of youngsters. Through your encouragment and good example, you can help assure that all the boys and girls learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. In AYSO, 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. Become aware of this 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 activities.
- 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 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 - Coaches and referees are usually parents just like you. They volunteer their time to help make your child's youth soccer experience a positive one. They need your support too. That means refraining from coaching or refereeing from the sidelines. As a volunteer organization, there's usually always an opportunity for you to take your interest in coaching or refereeing to the next level and become one yourself!
- Be sure each child player is at every practice and game at the time and place setup by the coach.
- Present a healthy, athletic environment for players by neither consuming alcoholic beverages nor using tobacco products during practices or games or in the immediate vicinity of the soccer fields.
- Be aware that no dogs or other pets of any size or type are allowed at any AYSO-sponsored practice or game.
- Know that CERTIFIED referees are always in critical demand; AYSO provides the training; you just need to show up. Most teams try for either 2 certified center referees per team, or 1 certified center referee and 2 certified assistant (sideline) referees per team.
- A CERTIFIED center referee must be present and officiating at every game. Ojai Valley AYSO Region 147's policy is to NOT allow any game to be played until and unless there is a CERTIFIED referee present and on the field. Games without a CERTIFIED referee will not be played, and will not count in the season standings!
- In order to compete in any post-season playoff games, a team will have had to accumulate a total of 26 referee points over the course of the season. Two referee points are earned whenever a CERTIFIED referee represents your team while officiating in the Center Referee position at a regular-season game; One referee point is earned whenever a CERTIFIED referee represents your team while officiating in either Assistant Referee position at a regular-season game.
- Ojai Valley AYSO Region 147 mantains an up-to-date list of referee point accumulations. This list is posted on a board which is available every Saturday at either Nordhoff High School or Sarzotti Park (depending on the age division). It is the responsibility of your team's referee(s) to be sure your team is credited with a point whenever they officiate a game.
- If you'd like to help out in the snack bar, please show up and volunteer!
- The referee sign-up table can be a hectic, crowded, disorganized place, expecially during the first few weeks of the season; those willing to learn how the table operates will be much in demand this season.