REFEREES: The AYSO National Games 2008 cannot succeed without the generous efforts of our referees. To sign up to referee, click on the Web site link above and navigate to the Referee page OR click here to download  an application.

LOTTERY DRAW: The AYSO National Games 2008 lottery draw was held at the National Annual General Meeting on Sunday, May 27, 2007.

Click here to download the Lottery Draw Results

If you would like information about how the lottery draw was conducted, click here to download the AYSO National Games 2008 Lottery Draw Process Explanation.

TEAM FORMATION: National Tournament Council representatives involved with the National Games have reworded, for clarity, the existing policies for Team Formation for the National Games.  Click here to read about Team Formation.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!
(New Update 9-12-07)

NEW COACH TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
FOR SECONDARY PROGRAM COACHES

As previously announced, the National Board of Directors approved a Position Statement presented by the National Coaching Commission which requires all coaches participating in the AYSO National Games, Secondary Programs, Inter-sectional AYSO tournaments, non-AYSO tournaments and International competitions to be trained at the age/skill level of the team they enter and coach. This approval occurred in October 2006 and was otherwise to go into affect August 1, 2007.

When the matter was recently revisited, however, the NBOD voted to delay the implementation of this policy until August 1, 2009.  This new window will allow time for this very important change to be communicated to all of our membership and time for our coaches who wish to participate in these secondary opportunities to obtain the required training.  This notification will serve as the first in this line of communications.  Over the coming months, the National Coach Commission will undertake an aggressive effort to communicate this requirement to the membership and to see that more training courses are scheduled and conducted.  In turn, coaches will now have two years to seek out and take this valuable training.

While a "Temporary Bypass Certification" had been discussed, your AYSO leadership knows that better trained coaches make for better skilled players, which creates higher energy levels, more excitement and fun, as well as success.  As such, it will not be implemented.

The delayed implementation date will thus result in the opportunity for additional coach training courses with greater attendance of our grass-root volunteers.  We also suggest that regions work with other regions or areas to organize mini-Super Camps -- where a battery of coaching courses can be offered -- and offer them at different times, in order to maximize attendance and give greater options for course completion.  These camps have the added benefit of bringing the volunteers of an area or section together and increasing the spirit of cooperation and teamwork.   It is considered appropriate for a region to reimburse a volunteer for some or all of any expenses incurred in getting this much-needed training.

Regions are encouraged to be supportive of the Coaching Commission effort when considering coaches for any secondary play teams or establishing rules of any competition.  Reward those who have sought the training and have improved their skills to provide a greater service to our players.  The program deserves nothing less.

Thank you, in advance, for raising the quality of coaching and the entire AYSO experience for the kids.