The AYSO VIP Program provides a quality soccer experience for children and adults aged 5 and up whose physical or developmental challenges make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams. VIP teams may include those who have:

• Impaired Vision
• Impaired Mobility
• Autism
• Downs Syndrome
• Cerebral Palsy
• Attention Deficit Disorder, Etc

We recognize that everyone needs to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. Through participation in soccer, VIP players experience these and more.

People with disabilities are members of our community: the children of friends, neighbors, relatives; our classmates and coworkers. Kids with special needs are estimated to make up approximately 10% of the school-age population. Special schools and classrooms can isolate these children, but VIP provides integration with non-disabled players -- or "buddies" -- who assist VIP players on the field. These relationships frequently grow beyond support into meaningful friendships.

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

VIP benefits all participants, not just the players. Buddies and other volunteers increase their understanding and appreciation of people with special needs. They find their lives greatly enriched by their involvement with their new VIP friends. Parents and caregivers are able to relax and enjoy watching their VIP players having fun!

VIP teams are typically small and coeducational. As few as three players on each side can play. VIP teams are balanced by size, mobility and ability rather than by age. When numbers allow, older and younger age divisions may be formed as well. There are no upper age limits for VIP players as long as they remain on VIP teams, and teams can be formed anywhere. Expect a wide variety of ability levels and sizes. Flexibility is the key.

REGISTRATION FEE: $60.00 THIS INCLUDES JERSEY, SHORTS, SOCKS, ACCIDENTAL INSURANCE & THE VIP BUDDY SHIRT. PRACTICE STARTS IN AUGUST. SEASON RUNS SEPTEMBER THRU OCTOBER. TEAMS PLAY 3 VS 3. PLAYER RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIN GUARDS & CLEATS. PRATICE 2 DAYS PER WEEK DURING AUGUST. PRACTICE 1 TIME PER WEEK DURING SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER WITH GAMES ON SATURDAY.

1. Goal: Have fun playing soccer!
   Accomplished with these objectives:
   1. Keeping everything positive
   2. Having adults model relaxed body language and smiles!
   3. Giving lots of sidelines cheer
2. Goal: understand the fundamentals of the game
   Accomplished with these objectives:
   1. Establish a relationship with the players
   2. Teaching one skill at a time
   3. Using games to make learning fun
3. Goal: Learn teamwork and fair play
   Accomplished with these objectives:
   1. Building teamwork into drills and practices
   2. Talking about teamwork with players
   3. Rewarding positive effort
4. Goal: Increase positive self-esteem
   Accomplished with these objectives:
   1. Establishing individual, realistic goals with players
   2. Encourage effort towards goals, no matter how small
   3. Recognizing players for aching their goals
5. Goal: Become more physical fit at their level
   Accomplished with these objectives:
   1. Stressing the importance of warm ups and stretching
   2. Encouraging each player to maximize his/her physical potential
6. Goal: Meet and be comfortable with new people
   Accomplished with these objectives:
   1. Preparing buddies and others working directly with the players by discussion and role playing
   2. Encouraging but not forcing extremely shy players

SCHOLARSHIP/SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION

AYSO IS LOOKING TO PARTNER UP WITH LOCAL CLUBS TO PROVIDE THE BEST SPORTS EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE FOR ALL VIP PLAYERS. WE HAVE SEVERAL WAYS THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED.

• CLUBS PROVIDE DONATIONS FOR KIDS. IF YOUR CLUB DOES NOT WANT TO SPECIFY DONATIONS TO PARTICUAL CHILDREN, THEN DONATIONS HELP THOSE WHO WANT TO PLAY. WE CURRENTLY HAVE CHILDREN AND ADULTS WHO WANT TO PLAY, BUT CANT AFFORD CAMP FEES AND SEASON FEES. YOUR DONATIONS WILL HELP TO COVER THESE FEES AND WILL BE GIVEN ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS.

• CLUBS PROVIDE VIP BUDDY VOLUNTEERS. MANY CLUBS HAVE JUNIOR MEMBERS WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES BY BEING VIP BUDDIES. EVERY VIP PLAYER HAS TO BE ACCOMPANIED ON THE FIELD BY A VIP BUDDY. THE BUDDIES WILL ATTEND EVERY PRACTICE AND EVERY GAME AND WILL BE ASSIGNED TO A VIP PLAYER. THIS GIVES THE VIP PLAYERS SECURITY AND ONE ON ONE COACHING FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE.