VIP and FLEX™ Programs

Our region is now offering VIP and FLEX Extra Programs . Select one to find out more.

The VIP (Very Important Players) Program provides a quality soccer experience for children and adults whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams.

FLEX Extra is a pilot program that is designed for players who have the interest, skills and abilities and want to enhance their experience and individual growth through soccer while retaining the spirit of and organization membership in AYSO.

VIP Program

The AYSO Very Important Players (VIP) Program provides a quality soccer experience for children and adults whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams. VIP teams may include:

• Blind or visually impaired
• Amputees or with conditions that impair mobility
• Mentally or emotionally challenged
• Autistic
• Down syndrome
• Cerebral Palsy

VIP Goals

These players are Very Important Players in AYSO. We recognize that all people need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. The VIP Program offers that acceptance and carries our philosophy of Everyone Plays® to new heights - giving everyone a chance to play

Kids with Special Needs are estimated to make up approximately 10% of the school-aged population and approximately 20% of the United States population is identified as having some type of disability. Special schools and programs can be isolating, so the VIP Program has been structured to integrate our players into the rest of AYSO by providing a soccer season, and in some cases, using "buddies" - able bodied helpers - to assist players who need assistance, both on and off the field. Our goals for every participating player are:

• Have fun playing soccer
• Understand the fundamentals of the game
• Learn teamwork and fair play
• Increase positive self-esteem
• Become more physically fit
• Meet and be comfortable with new people

Everyone Plays®

VIP helps more than just the players. Buddies and other volunteers increase their appreciation and understanding of individuals with special needs. They find their lives greatly enriched by their involvement with their new VIP friends. For parents thinking they would never see their children playing a sport or making new friends, VIP gives them joy and hope. They are able to relax and enjoy watching their children having fun like other kids, perhaps for the first time.

Teams can have as few as three players and may be co-ed. VIP teams can be put together with players who register based on mobility or ability. Older and younger players can also be separated onto different teams when numbers allow.

FLEX

AYSO FLEX is the introduction of new primary program options. AYSO FLEX™ is an umbrella for optional player opportunities that enable Regions, Areas and Sections to choose programs that best serve their local needs.

Under AYSO FLEX, some new optional programs are being introduced in 2009 and piloted to provide registered AYSO players options for participation in a more challenging playing environment during the primary season. AYSO’s National Board of Directors has authorized these pilot programs to meet needs identified by our grassroots membership and to address concerns about declining enrollment and player retention without compromising our philosophies or our commitment to enriching children’s lives.

All AYSO FLEX™ programs embrace our Six Philosophies:

• Everyone Plays - Our programs' goal is for kids to play soccer - so we mandate that every player on every team must play at least a half of every game.

• Balanced Teams - Each year we form new teams as evenly balanced as possible - because it is fair and more fun when teams of equal ability play. Extra requires regionally balanced division teams.

• Open Registration - Our program is open to all children…who want to register and play soccer. Interest and enthusiasm are the only criteria for playing. Extra requires that any registered player is eligible to apply for Extra. Players not selected are guaranteed placement on a team in the standard primary program.

• Positive Coaching - Encouragement of player effort provides for greater enjoyment by the players and ultimately leads to better-skilled and better-motivate players.

• Good Sportsmanship - We strive to create a positive based on mutual respect rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude, and our program is designed to instill good sportsmanship in all facets of AYSO. All players, parents, coaches and other AYSO volunteers in the Extra program are expected to adhere to a high standard of conduct and sportsmanship.

• Player Development - We believe that all players should be able to develop their soccer skills and knowledge to the best of their abilities, both individually and as members of a team, in order to maximize their enjoyment of the game.

Extra Concurrent Program

Extra is a pilot program under AYSO FLEX™ that is designed for players who have the interest, skills and abilities and want to enhance their experience and individual growth through soccer while retaining the spirit of and organization membership in AYSO. Extra is not designed to overshadow or harm the standard primary program – rather the goal is to strengthen AYSO by recruiting and retaining players and volunteers through providing more competitive play the AYSO way.

Players are rostered on an Extra team and a standard primary program team at the same time and participate fully with both teams. Teams undergo new selections each membership year. There are no guaranteed roster positions for any player from one membership year to the next. Players are eligible for All Star, tournament, National Games, travel and other secondary program teams.

We currently have teams in the u9 division. We look forward to additional age groups in the future.