How to Start a VIP Program
VIP programs start small. You can start a VIP program with just a single team that plays a mainstream AYSO team. The program is designed to be flexible and creative. It's not limited to one Region either. Players can be drawn from several neighboring Regions or Regions may form an Area-wide program. Ensuring the success of players and volunteers in VIP is a priority, so each VIP program operates within the existing structure of an AYSO Region/Area to ensure that volunteers and players have the full support of AYSO and its resources.
Organizing a VIP program is easier than you might think. There are potential VIP players in your local schools and communities. These people, with your help, can have the benefits of sports participation in a supportive, fun environment.
Starting Steps
There is no better way to grow your Region than by a VIP Program! To get you started in the right direction please contact the National Office to receive a Starter Packet which contains a VIP Program Guide, Coach Manual, Referee Manual and the Buddy & Family Manual. Each of the publications will be a wealth of information and you can order additional copies from the Supply Center at supplycenter@ayso.org.
Contact your current families, local schools and community and notify them that your Region will be starting a program for children and adults whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams. Tell the local newspaper you have a great article of interest! Mention when registration will be and also mention the need of Buddies (non-disabled person intended to guide the VIP player on and off the field).
The best person to be the administrator of your VIP Program is a passionate and dedicated person who should promote the new VIP Program on every angle. Your team will need a coach and if you plan to play some games, referees. All volunteers will need to be Safe Haven certified and take VIP Volunteer Training and the coach should have a minimum of a U-6 certification.
Best advice: be flexible!
close section Information Packet
To receive a VIP starter packet that contains everything you'll need to start a VIP Program: a VIP Program Guide, VIP Coach Manual, VIP Referee Manual and a Buddy and Family Manual; contact the AYSO National Office at (800) 872-2976 (USA-AYSO), or email
vip@ayso.org.
close section Age Restrictions
VIP teams may register players by the same entry level standard as applies to mainstream AYSO teams at age 4. As long as they remain on a VIP team, players are not restricted by upper age limits. If playing on a mainstream team, VIP players may not play on such a team beyond the maximum age established by AYSO—must be 18 on July 31 prior to the membership year.
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The AYSO volunteer position of VIP (Very Important Player) Program Administrator in a Region is intended to serve as a liaison among the Regional Commissioner, the VIP volunteers and the parents or guardians of players eligible to play in the VIP program for players with physical and/or mental disabilities.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
The VIP Program Administrator is expected to:
- Act as an advocate for the VIP program;
- Work with the Registrar to publish and distribute information to prospective players;
- Select and arrange training for VIP volunteers – coaches, referees, buddies and others;
- Oversee team formation;
- Collect and verify team rosters;
- Work with uniform and equipment managers to order uniforms and equipment;
- Distribute uniforms and necessary materials to coaches;
- Develop and distribute a schedule for field set-up and take-down;
- Schedule and conduct meetings with VIP volunteers as necessary;
- Oversee training of buddies;
- Handle coach, player or parental concerns, mediate disputes with help of the RC;
- Promote additional playing opportunities for VIP players, such as tournaments; and
- Work with the National Special Programs Administrator at the National Support & Training Center.
Qualifications and Desired Skills
To be considered for the position of VIP Program Administrator, the applicant should:
- Annually submit a Volunteer Application and be approved as a volunteer in the Region;
- Know the AYSO structure and have commitment to the AYSO philosophies;
- Have administrative abilities, including being organized;
- Be reliable and responsive to player and parent needs;
- Be 18 years of age or older;
- Have an understanding of players with disabilities;
- Attend training and certification classes; and
- Successfully pass a screening, including a background check.
Supervision Protocols
While performing as the VIP Program Administrator, the volunteer is:
- Subject to the bylaws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines of AYSO;
- Under the overall authority of and directly supervised by the Regional Commissioner; and
- To maintain the required VIP adult to child supervision ratio of 1:1 or less; that is one adult for every VIP player present at all times. For the protection of both the players and the volunteers, no volunteer should permit himself or herself to be alone with any child or group of children (except his or her own) during AYSO-sponsored activities.
Orientation, Training, Certification, and Continued Education Provided
To prepare a volunteer for the position of VIP program administrator, AYSO will offer the following educational opportunities which the volunteer is expected to take advantage of and participate in, as appropriate:
- Orientation by the Regional Commissioner;
- VIP Volunteer Training; and
- AYSO Safe Haven Certification.
close section Who Should Coach VIP?
The AYSO volunteer position of VIP coach is intended to develop in players a positive image of themselves, their teammates, opponents and game officials, and provide a good role model for players. Additionally, the VIP coach will develop in his/her players the appropriate soccer skills as recommended in the AYSO VIP Coach Manual.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
The coach is expected to:
- Attend Region team organization event before the season begins to receive roster;
- Attend uniform/equipment distribution prior to season to receive team uniforms, equipment, and a playing schedule;
- Conduct a parent and buddy meeting to distribute practice and games schedules;
- Conduct appropriate training sessions prior to the games and coach during games;
- Teach appropriate and adaptive skills;
- Utilize buddies where needed during training sessions and games;
- Support the Regional Commissioner and the VIP Administrator;
- Cooperate with the Regional Coach Administrator on all coaching matters;
- Promote the AYSO philosophy;
- Refrain from the use of insulting, embarrassing, foul or abusive language;
- Present a healthy environment and model by refraining from consuming alcoholic beverages or using tobacco products in the immediate vicinity of the soccer fields; and
- Provide player evaluations to the players and VIP Administrator at the end of the season; and
- Carry out other team tasks as necessary, including providing additional playing opportunities such as tournaments.
Qualifications and Desired Skills
To be considered for the position of VIP Coach, the applicant should:
- Annually submit a Volunteer Application and be approved as a volunteer in the Region;
- Be reliable and responsive to player and parent needs;
- Be 18 years of age or older;
- Have an understanding of players with disabilities;
- Attend training and certification classes; and
- Successfully pass a screening, including a background check.
Supervision Protocols
While performing as a VIP Coach, the volunteer is:
- Subject to the bylaws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines of AYSO;
- Under the overall authority of and directly supervised by the VIP Administrator or the Regional Coach Administrator, and supervised indirectly by the Regional Commissioner;
- To maintain the required VIP adult to player supervision ratio of 1:1 or less; that is one adult for every VIP player present at all times. For the protection of both the players and the volunteers, no volunteer should permit himself or herself to be alone with any child or group of children (except his or her own) during AYSO-sponsored activities.
Orientation, Training, Certification, and Continued Education Provided
To prepare a volunteer for the position of coach, AYSO will offer the following educational opportunities which the volunteer is expected to take advantage of and participate in, as appropriate.
- Orientation by the VIP Administrator, Regional Commissioner and/or Regional Coach Administrator;
- AYSO Safe Haven Coach Certification;
- VIP Volunteer Training;
- Minimum of U-6 Coaching Course; and
- Continuing coach education as he/she stays with the program.
close section Who Should Referee VIP?
The AYSO volunteer position of VIP Referee is intended to manage soccer matches played between teams of VIP players according to the AYSO National Rules and Regulations, the FIFA Laws of the Game and the training curriculum as specified in the AYSO VIP Referee Manual. The referee is expected to cooperate with coaches and other officials to develop a positive self-image in the players and to provide a good role model for all AYSO participants.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
The VIP Referee is expected to:
- Support the VIP Program and the National Referee Program in both specifics and in spirit;
- Attend Regional referee meetings before and during the season as required;
- Attend specific VIP and referee training courses to develop refereeing skills;
- Attend referee refresher courses (continuing education training) as necessary to become familiar with changes to the AYSO Rules & Regs, FIFA Law knowledge, VIP specific rules;
- Officiate VIP matches to which he/she is assigned according to the AYSO rules, the FIFA Laws and prevailing VIP guidelines;
- Work with the VIP coaches and buddies at the games to secure fun, fair and safe play;
- Support the AYSO philosophies;
- Support the VIP Administrator, Regional Commissioner and Region staff;
- Cooperate with the Regional Referee Administrator and referee staff on issues pertaining to refereeing;
- Present a healthy environment and model by refraining from consuming alcoholic beverages or using tobacco products in the immediate vicinity of the soccer fields; and
- Carry out any other refereeing tasks as necessary.
Qualifications and Desired Skills
To be considered for the position of referee, the applicant should:
- Annually submit a Volunteer Application and be approved as a volunteer in the Region;
- Have an understanding of players with physical and mental disabilities;
- Have an interest in helping players with physical and mental disabilities;
- Be reliable and have good character;
- Be interested in promoting the benefits of sports, especially soccer, for VIP players and their families;
- Be physically capable; and
- Successfully pass a screening, including a background check.
Supervision Protocols
While performing as the VIP Referee, the volunteer is:
- Subject to the bylaws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines of AYSO;
- Under the overall authority of and directly supervised by the VIP Administrator or the Regional Referee Administrator, and supervised indirectly by the Regional Commissioner; and
- To maintain the required VIP adult to player supervision ratio of 1:1 or less; that is one adult for every VIP player present at all times. For the protection of both the players and the volunteers, no volunteer should permit himself or herself to be alone with any child or group of children (except his or her own) during AYSO-sponsored activities.
Orientation, Training, Certification and Continued Education Provided
To prepare a volunteer for the position of VIP Referee, AYSO will offer the following referee and volunteer educational opportunities which volunteer VIP Referees are expected to take advantage of and participate in, as appropriate.
- Complete minimum of AYSO Regional Referee certification;
- Complete AYSO Safe Haven Referee Certification;
- Complete VIP Volunteer Training;
- Have orientation by the VIP Administrator or the Regional Referee Administrator;
- Attend FIFA Law and AYSO National Rules and Regulations update and refresher courses; and
- Attend Annual Referee Update.
close section What are Buddies? Information Form
So the National Office is better able to support our VIP Programs and to assist parents looking for their local VIP Program, please complete and return the VIP Information Form when starting a VIP Program or changing administrators.
Please complete and return the Information Form to the National Office via one of the following methods:
- Scan and email to - vip@ayso.org
- FAX - 310-525-1155
- Mail - AYSO – VIP Program, 19750 S. Vermont Ave., Suite 200, Torrance, CA 90502
Region Information Form Area Information Form Section Information Form close section Fast Facts
