The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) was established in the Los Angeles area in 1964 with nine teams. It was the dream of a group of devoted soccer enthusiasts who started the organization in a garage. Today, AYSO has more than 50,000 teams and more than 650,000 players. It also employs 50 people at its National Support and Training Center in Hawthorne, California.

Over the years, AYSO has created many valuable programs and concepts. Most notably, AYSO revolutionized youth sports with its "Everyone Plays" and "Balanced Teams" philosophies. In AYSO, each child who registers is guaranteed to play at least half of every game. To help create evenly matched games, all AYSO players are placed on new or "balanced" teams each year. These decisions are made based on each player's skill level and the overall ability of the team.

Since its establishment, AYSO has continued to grow and offer its membership relevant programs.

In 1971, two San Fernando Valley residents developed AYSO's first girls program. Today, a corporate sponsor has joined with AYSO as the organization's first official sponsor of its national girl's initiative. Currently, 40 percent of AYSO's players are girls.

In the mid 70s, an AYSO coach chartered new territory as he welcomed the organization's first player with Down Syndrome. As a result of this landmark union, soccer was introduced into the Special Olympics. Today, AYSO offers its membership the Very Important Player (VIP) program for kids with special needs. VIP boasts 75 programs and 1,500 players.

In 1995, two AYSO parents established the first AYSO program in Moscow. Today, the Moscow program has almost 500 registered players. In addition, an AYSO program was started in Puerto Rico in the spring of 1998 and another in American Samoa in 1999.

AYSO is supported by more than 250,000 volunteers. Parents donate their time as coaches, referees, team parents, administrators or sponsors. In 1998, AYSO unveiled its new Coach Certification and Safe Haven programs. Each was designed to strengthen the organization's role in child protection. Although AYSO is primarily a youth sports organization, it realizes the importance of providing a safe and healthy atmosphere for children. AYSO is continually working to improve the education of its volunteers in the fields of child development, human behavior, and sports psychology. A strong emphasis is placed on ethics and sportsmanship and the development of the whole child.

AYSO is a National Association of the United States Soccer Federation. Through the years, the organization has also maintained relations with organizations such as the National Council of Youth Sports, Girls Scouts USA, the National Association for Sports and Physical Education, People to People, Optimists International, Police Athletic Leagues, the National Alliance for Youth Sports, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, YMCA, the United States Soccer Federation, and the Character Counts program. In addition, AYSO works closely with 20 corporations that are part of the organization's National Team of Sponsors.

AYSO has been the leader in establishing groundbreaking youth soccer programs in the United States. The organization is proud to have paved the road for youth soccer and looks forward to meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

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AYSO Mission Statement

PURPOSE - To operate soccer programs where young people can learn to develop a positive self-image, self-confidence, and other positive character traits through their interest and participation in soccer based on our philosophy of:

Everyone Plays - Our goal is for kids to play soccer - so we mandate that every player on every team play at least 3/4 of that players availability before anyone plays the whole game.

Balanced Teams - We require the Region at the start of each season to set up teams as evenly balanced as possible - because it is more fun where teams of equal ability play.

Positive Coaching - What makes winning kids is being built up, not down! We train and encourage our coaches to make the extra effort to understand and offer positive help to our players, rather than negative criticism. Winning Kids, not winning games!

Open Registration - Our programs are open to all children between 4 and 18 years who want to register and play soccer. Interest and enthusiasm are the only requirements for playing.

Good Sportsmanship - We desire to create a positive environment based on mutual respect, rather than a win at all costs attitude. All our programs must be designed to instill good sportsmanship in every facet of AYSO.

To have the capacity to develop, provide and administer quality youth soccer programs throughout the United States, offering a fun, fair, positive and safe environment.

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Players' Code

Play for the "fun of it", not just to please your parents or coach.

Play by the rules.

Never argue with or complain about the referee's calls or decisions.

Control your temper, and most of all, resist the temptation to retaliate when you feel you have been wronged.

Concentrate on playing soccer and on affecting the outcome of the game with your best effort.

Work equally hard for your team as for yourself.

Be a good sport. Cheer all good plays, whether it is your team's or your opponent's. Thank the referees.

Treat all players as you yourself would like to be treated.

Remember that the goals of the game are to have fun, improve your skills, and feel good. Don't be a show-off or a "ball hog".

Cooperate with your coaches, teammates, opponents, and the referees - there cannot be any soccer games without them.

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Parents' Code

Do not force an unwilling child to participate in sports.

Remember children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment, not yours.

Encourage your child to always play by the rules.

Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Your child will then be a winner even in defeat.

Do not ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or for losing a game.

Set a good example. Children learn best by example.

Applaud good play by your team and by members of opposing team.

Do not publicly question the referee's judgment and never their honesty.

Recognize the value and importance of volunteer coaches, referees, and officials and give them their due respect. Without them there would be no AYSO soccer. Let the coach do the coaching!

Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sporting activities.

Alcohol is not permitted at any city park or school facility.