Welcome to Spring!

I hope you and your families are having a good time playing soccer this year. Please let me know how we're doing! You can e mail me at david@perlmutterproperties.com.

If you have any ideas on how we can do things better, we're open to suggestions - but don't be surprised when we ask for your help to implement it!

Registration for the Fall 2007 - Spring 2008 season is open so visit www.chappaquaayso.org today to register

The Final Fall Weekend

It's hard to believe that Chappaqua AYSO's Fall season is entering its final weekend. The season has gone extremely well, with only one total rainout weekend. Thanks to all of the volunteers - board members, coaches, parents, grandparents and siblings - and of course to the players, who have contributed to the season's success.

If you've taken any great pictures, or would like to share a coaching tip, soccer experience, or even your soccer haiku, please submit them to Paul Leibowitz at paul@leibowitzny.com by November 20th for publication in the Fall 2006 edition of our newsletter, Sidelines.

After the games this weekend, we'll need your help to bring goals to their winter storage areas. Check with your coach, I'm sure he or she could use your help moving them.

I'm sure you'll be hearing from us over the winter months. In March, we'll have our annual indoor coed tournaments for 3 and 4th and 5th and 6th graders. In early April, we'll need your assistance to move goals back to the fields. We'll also be purchasing several new goals, so we'll need help assembling them.

The spring 2007 season will begin in the first half of April. We'll know more as soon as we get our field allocations from the Town.

Once again, thanks for another great season of Chappaqua AYSO!

Haven't heard from your coach?

If you have not heard from your child's coach yet, the best thing to do is to go to the Contacts page on www.chappaquaayso.org and look for the appropriate Division Coordinator. Click on his or her name and send them an e mail regarding your child.

We apologize for any delay in getting you the information. One of AYSO's philosophies is to create balanced teams. Unfortunately we get many late registrations, so Division Coordinators wait as long as possible before releasing the rosters to coaches so that they can ensure that the teams will be fair. Many coaches are away until Labor Day, further delaying their calls to their players.

Thanks for your understanding.

David Perlmutter

Ossining AYSO to start VIP Program

Anyone interested in attending the event below on August 5th, contact Richard Kavy!

On Saturday, August 5 from 9 am – 5 pm, we are going to pair up a child with a disability with a “buddy” and let the play in a soccer fest. The event will be held at Veterans Park in Ossining. Veterans Park is located on Narragansett Avenue. All the money we raise will be donated to Autism Speaks. Out of this event, I would like to start up an AYSO VIP program for Ossining, and if possible, also for Chappaqua. If you know of any coaches, players, refs, or volunteers that are around and would like to come and help/play/ref please forward them this email. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Richard Kavy

914-762-5286

rikavy@ccsd.ws

We Need Your Help Before the Season Ends!

Dear Chappaqua AYSO Coaches, Players and Fans,

As we approach the end of the season, I want to thank all of the coaches, assistant coaches, referees, volunteers, players and fans for their energy and participation in a great year of AYSO soccer in Chappaqua. As a volunteer organization with 1335 players on 130 teams, it takes the efforts of many to make it work. Over the course of the year hundreds of you have given your time to ensure that our kids benefit from an experience that is shaped by the AYSO philosphies – Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching and Sportsmanship.

During the next two weeks, we’ll need a lot more of your help to close out this season and start our preparation for the next one. Coaches need to complete player evaluation forms and submit them to their division coordinators. This helps us create balanced teams, which is fundamental to the AYSO philosophy. All parents should fill out and return a coach evaluation form. Both forms can be downloaded from www.chappaquaayso.org/forms.htm

While you are online please register now the Fall 2006 – Spring 2007 season. The link to the registration page is www.chappaquaayso.org/registration.asp . We’ve streamlined the process this year, so registration is quick and easy. In the unlikely event that you do encounter a problem while registering, please contact our friendly Registrar Dru Welburn at dru@ivmost.com . We also recommend that you download and read our Parents Handbook from www.chappaquaayso.org/forms.htm/AYSO_Parents_Handbook.pdf . If you register before June 30^th, you’ll pay a fully discounted fee of $90. Although we’ll try, we can’t guarantee your child a place on a team if you register after August 1^st. It’s very important that you register on time so that we can create encough balanced teams where every child will be able to play at least half of every game. This helps us know how many coaches and assistants we’ll need and then gives them enough time to get their required training. Please register now! If you do register now and your child is selected for a Chappaqua Youth Soccer Club team, please be sure to withdraw his or her AYSO registration with an e mail to our registrar by June 30^th for a full refund. We will honor any refund requests received by June 30^th for any reason. June 30^th is the deadline for all refund requests.

If you would like to be a coach or an assistant coach, please be sure to let us know when registering. You’ll find a comprehensive guide of Chappaqua AYSO and the Town of New Castle’s Coaching requirements in the Parents Handbook, too.

On June 10^th, we’ll be collecting coaching equipment bags in a rented truck at the Greeley Student Parking lot, so all coaches should return their equipment bags at the conclusion of their practice or game, even if playing at a different location. We’re also collecting old uniforms, cleats and shin guards at the truck at Greeley on June 10^th for distribution to the needy. So, please bring us prior seasons’ uniforms that are taking up drawer space.

On the weekend of June 17^th, since we don’t have use of Greeley due to graduation, teams in the U6-U8 divisions will have trophy ceremonys instead of practices and games on Saturday the 17^th. U10, U12 and U14 divisions will not practice on the 17^th, but will play on the 18^th. U10 boys and girls will have mini soccer jamborees, and U12, U14 and U16 will have their previously scheduled games.

We’ll also need your help in removing nets from the goals and bringing them to their summer locations at the fields. If you volunteered for this, you’ll be hearing from us to coordinate times and places.

For children entering 3^rd grade and above in the fall we offer the AYSO Extra program. Extra is open to any players in those age groups that are registered in the core program (limited by amount of player interest and available coaches. These players will have an additional practice during the week, usually with professional trainers, and a game against an Extra team that is usually from another town on Saturday afternoons. Some Extra teams also enter area soccer tournaments. If your child is interested in playing Extra or if you are interested in coaching Extra, please contact the Extra Coordinator, Tom Pile at tpile1@mac.com as soon as possible. More information on Extra is available here: www.chappaquaayso.org/forms/2006-07Extra.pdf

Thanks in advance for your help.

Spring Soccer Approaches

Net Net

The Spring Season is almost here and that means it's time to put up nets and move goals! Volunteers should meet at the Greeley Student Parking Lot on April 1st at 10:00 am, and that's no April Fool's joke!

Coaches Convene

The Spring Coaches meeting this year will be on April 6th at 7:00 pm at the Seven Bridges Auditorium. This meeting will feature a talk by youth sports expert Greg Heinzmann from Rutgers University on nurturing the child in your athlete. This meeting is mandatory for all AYSO coaches. All other parents are invited to attend, too. Following his talk, the AYSO coaches will meet for announcements regarding the Spring season.

Prior to the Coaches Meeting, at 6:30, representatives from Chappaqua's recreational sports programs will be on hand to answer parents' questions regarding sports in Chappaqua.

Season Starts Sequentially

The older divisions, particularly those involved in Area play (against other towns) will start on April 8th. Soccer practices and games will start for the younger divisions on April 22nd, the weekend after Spring Break. Field space will be provided for those in younger divisions that want to play pick-up games on Saturday, April 8th. Your coach will send you your team's schedule after he or she has received it from the division coordinators. This will probably be in early April.

Winter Indoor Tournament

Sign up soon for the New Castle Winter Indoor Tournament.  Space is limited.  Details and a link to the registration forms are below.

 

2006 Chappaqua Indoor Soccer Tournament Sponsored by New Castle Recreation and Parks Department and Chappaqua AYSO BELL School Gym from 12:30 - 6:00PM Saturday, March 18th (5th and 6th Grade boys and girls) Sunday, March 19th (3rd and 4th Grade boys and girls)

· Each team will play a minimum of 3 games. Teams are randomly selected and coed.

·  T-shirts will be provided

·  Registration is limited - First Come, First Served

·  All registration forms MUST be received at the Recreation Office (200 South Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua, NY 10514) by March 13th.  $20 Fee Per Child payable to Chappaqua AYSO.

·  Sneakers or Indoor Soccer shoes and shin guards must be worn - No cleats, boots or street shoes.

2006 Indoor Tournament Registration Form (Word Doc)

2006 Indoor Tournament Registration Form (PDF)

 

 

Congratulations to the Greeley Varsity Girls Soccer Team!

Congratulations to the Greeley Varsity Girls Soccer team on their victory over Clarkstown on Saturday afternoon. Their next game is against John Jay at 2:00 on Monday. Bring your kids after school!

Silent Saturday/Silent Sunday

Chappaqua AYSO
Silent Saturday/Sunday

WHO: Everyone!

WHAT: Silence on the sidelines of all AYSO soccer games

WHEN: All games on Sunday, October 22nd and 23rd

WHERE: Within the Town of New Castle

WHY: To allow our players to better develop their game skills by communicating with each other without interference from coaches, parents or other spectators

* * * * * * * *

To: Chappaqua AYSO coaches and referees
From: Chappaqua AYSO Board

We will be holding a Silent Saturday and Sunday this weekend on October 22nd and 23rd.. Coaches: please inform all of your players and parents about this event, explain its purpose and request their support.

Our objective is to allow our players to play for one day free of direction and interference from coaches and other spectators; to permit players to communicate among themselves and to learn to make their own decisions in games; and to allow the game to be the teacher. Other benefits will be to remove criticism of referees (including our youth referees), eliminate sideline dissention, educate parents and improve coaching.

Background: the constant barrage of advice emanating from the sidelines from coaches (sometimes multiple coaches) and parents, much of it incorrect or contradictory, negatively impacts player communication, learning and enjoyment of the game. It also leads to increased conflict on the sidelines. We seek to eliminate this commentary toward players as well as the sometimes abusive or unsporting comments toward referees, opposing coaches and parents.

Implementation: we need your help in educating players and parents about this program for it to work. Its success is in your hands.

Coaches: Please discuss this with your players and parents, as well as providing the accompanying flyer to them both in advance and on the field on October 31st. If you are playing a team from another town, be sure to explain this event to the other coach in advance as well as providing the flyers at the game. You may email the flyer to the opposing coach. Please limit your coaching to pre-game and halftime. Your comments during the game should not be able to be heard by any player on the field or by the referee.

Players: Have fun and enjoy the opportunity to communicate with your teammates. Play fairly and show your best sportsmanship. After the game, let your coach and parents know how you felt about playing on Silent Sunday, or send email to silentsunday@chappaquaayso.org.

Parents: Please participate. Speak only quietly, if at all, to others on the sidelines. Avoid any comments that could be heard by players for either team or the referee. We ask for your respect for our efforts. When a goal is scored, please restrain your reaction to low-key applause. Please do follow the game closely, think about the effects of what is going on and let us know your thoughts by email to silentsunday@chappaquaayso.org. We need your help to make your child’s soccer experience the best it can be.

Referee assignors: Please inform your referees about this program. Forward this memorandum to them wherever possible.

Referees: We hope that this program provides a congenial and respectful experience, free of criticism from the sidelines. You are not being asked to enforce sideline silence; we hope that our teams and you will receive cooperation. We are not expecting complete silence, and when a goal is scored we expect subdued applause. If there is more noise than that, we would appreciate your reminder to the coaches of the spirit of the day.

Conclusion: This is a voluntary program and it is up to each of us to make it happen. We appreciate your giving us the opportunity for a single day to get a new perspective on these games, reflect on our actions and return, perhaps, to contribute in a different, positive way.

Help Stamp Out Referee Abuse

John Barnes, our Chappaqua AYSO Referee Instructor has just graduated a class of 20 new referees. Most of these are young kids, aged 12 and up. Many thanks to John and congratulations to the new refs. You'll probably see many of the new graduates on fields this weekend.

Unless you are offering to run a sideline, referees do not want or need your help in making calls, even if you think the referee did not see a foul or made the wrong call. As coaches and parents, your behavior towards referees will be a model for the players. If your team suffers a setback resulting from a call, let your coach help the team refocus. Don't interfere with the referee while she's doing her job!

Often parents, and even some coaches, are not as well versed in the Laws of the Games as the referee. For instance, a ref might not blow the whistle if the team that was fouled maintains control of the ball. Additionally, many parents don't fully understand the offside rule, or the hand ball rule. Sometimes coaches and parents don't see what the referee sees from his or her perspective on the field, and yes, sometimes referees do make mistakes. Tough calls are part of the game. If a referee makes what in your opinion is a bad call, let it go. Get over it. If a coach or parent does get out of line (and it does happen, even in Chappaqua), it's part of the coaches' job to control their sideline. Offenders can be asked to leave the game and if necessary, referees can stop the game, too.

Let's keep in mind that more than anything else, the kids on the field are there to have fun. The referee's primary responsibility on the field is to keep the game safe, fair and fun. Let the kids have fun and the refs do their jobs without your interference.

And remember to thank the referee after the game!

Let the Games Begin!

Finally, we've made it to the starting gate! Hopefully, you've already heard from your coaches. If not, first check your registration status by using the link on our home page. If you find your child's birthdate listed there, then go to the Contacts page and contact your child's Division Coordinator.

If you still have not registered, most divisions are still open. U14G has started a waiting list, and U6B will start a waiting list by September 14th.

Are you a closet sports journalist or photographer? Are Dick Schaap and W. Eugene Smith your personal heros? If so, submit your work to our very own Perry White, parent/coach/editor-in-chief Paul Leibowitz of the Chappaqua AYSO newsletter. Paul can be reached at paul@leibowitzny.com. Players and fans of all ages are welcome to participate.

Have fun!

Soccer Starts Saturday, September 9th

The nets are on the goals, the equipment has been distributed, and coaches are having pre-season meetings with their teams. Saturday is the start of this soccer season, and weather predictions for the weekend are sunny and warm.

If you have not yet heard from your coach, the first thing you should do is check the registration confirmation link on the home page of www.chappaquaayso.org. If you are entered in the database as registered, then go to the Contact Us page and look for the e mail link to your child's division coordinator. Contact him or her to assist you.

If your registration is not confirmed, then contact our Registrar Dru Welburn at dru@ivmost.com.

Have a great season!

Preparations Underway for Fall 2005

Members of the AYSO board have been hard at work this summer preparing for the upcoming soccer season. Division coordinators are in the process of recruiting coaches and sorting players into balanced teams.

There are some things that you can do to help in the next month:

1. If you haven't pre-registered on line yet, please do so. Follow the link from www.chappaquaayso.org
2. If you have pre-registered on line but have not sent in the registration forms, please do so immediately. Your child is not registered until we receive the paper forms
3. If you want to coach or assistant coach, check out our coaching information page to see if you still need to fulfill any of the requirements. In short, they include the AYSO Volunteer form, Town of New Castle Background Check consent form, New Castle's required NYSCA certification, AYSO Safe Haven, and AYSO age appropriate coaching certification. If you have questions about any of this, please contact Coaching Administrator Scott Krase at skrase@ohpny.com.
4. If you signed up to help with equipment bags or nets and goals, when you get an e mail from Volunteer Coordinator, Dennis Greenberg, please respond. If you are not sure what you signed up for, but want to help anyway, you can reach Dennis at dgreenberg@dearborn.com.

Thanks, and enjoy the rest of the Summer!

David Perlmutter
david@perlmutterproperties.com

Thanks for a great season

Thanks to all of the players, volunteers and parents for making it a great season. Here are a few end of season reminders:

Registration is open for Fall 2005 If you have not yet registered for the 2005-2006 season, then please do so as soon as possible. Registration fees increase after June 30th. After August 1st, players may be waitlisted.

If you are planning to coach, please make sure that your division coordinator is aware. There are several requirements with which you'll have to comply. This information is available by following this link: Coaching Signup!

If your child registered for AYSO and then made a team on the Chappaqua Youth Soccer Club, please remember to withdraw his/her registration prior to June 30th in order to receive a refund. Send requests to Registrar Dru Welburn by clicking here.

Joint CYSC/AYSO Statement on Travel Soccer

Starting May 31, 2005, the Chappaqua Youth Soccer Club (“CYSC”) will be conducting its tryouts for 2005-2006 travel teams for players in age groups U10 through U14, or, starting fourth grade through eighth grade in the Fall. The tryouts are open to all interested players. While space is limited on these teams at this time, not being selected by CYSC should not be taken as a final decree about playing soccer in Chappaqua, either competitively or recreationally. CYSC and Chappaqua AYSO (“AYSO”) encourage all persons not selected to continue playing soccer through AYSO and through the AYSO Extra Program.

The Extra Program provides players with an opportunity to continue their skills development and to play other towns’ Extra teams in a competitive environment. Any player interested in playing in the Extra Program will be given the opportunity to play for an Extra Program team, whether or not they attend the CYSC tryouts.

Best of luck in the tryouts!! Keep Kickin!!

Brian Rosen - Chappaqua Youth Soccer Club
David Perlmutter - Chappaqua AYSO
Tom Pile - Chappaqua AYSO Extra

Open Letter to the Town Board

Dear Jan,

Once again, I urge the Town Board to take action now and build two fields at the Amsterdam property. This spring, dozens of our teams have been impacted on more than half of the weekends by games and events at the High School. More teams have had to practice on fewer fields and for shorter periods of time. In some instances games and practices have been canceled. Most of the field losses are covered in advance in our season field allocation and we are able to schedule around them. However, at the beginning of the season, high school coaches hold practices that are not scheduled at the time of the field allocation letter. During the season, there are the occasional “make up” games for competitions that have been rained out. Additionally, there are events that aren’t on the calendar at the start of the season, but which are programmed for the fields, such as the recent Olde Tyme Carnival on May 21^st, and the upcoming Alumni Lacrosse game on June 5^th. Although the advance notice given by the Athletic Director is sincerely appreciated, no amount of notice can alleviate that we have nowhere else to play these games.

We all want our schools to have a robust program with diverse activities for the community seven days a week. Nonetheless, the adverse impact of the resulting schedule conflicts on the recreational sports programs like AYSO needs to be addressed. If two fields are built at the Amsterdam property, recreational sports’ dependence on school fields will be diminished and we’ll be better able to meet current demands for field use. Let’s build the Amsterdam fields now as a first step to eliminating field shortages for the thousands of kids that play recreational sports in New Castle.

Sincerely,

David Perlmutter

Regional Commissioner

Chappaqua AYSO

AYSO Extra and the Chappaqua Youth Soccer Club

Chappaqua Youth Soccer Club (CYSC)will be holding tryouts for players entering 4th grade and up soon. You can click on this link for the announcement. The flyer gives information on the dates, times and locations of each age and gender specific tryout. It also gives a brief description of the CYSC program and contact information. CYSC tryouts are open to all students attending Chappaqua Schools or living in the Town of New Castle. Players are selected for CYSC teams based on "ability" as perceived at the tryouts. The tryouts are open each year, and new players may supplant previous Club players. If you would like additional information on the Chappaqua Youth Soccer Club, it is available on their website www.chappaquasoccer.org.

Chappaqua AYSO also provides a travel soccer experience called AYSO Extra, which is supplemental to the regular or "core" program. All Chappaqua AYSO players in 3rd grade and up are eligible to participate in the Extra program. Extra players participate with their core soccer team in their Saturday practices and Sunday games. Additionally, there is a mid-week practice with their Extra team (usually run by a professional trainer) and a game on Saturday afternoon, usually around 4:00. There are no tryouts for Extra, so everyone “makes the team.” If there is more than one team in an age group, the teams will be balanced, just as we try to do in the core AYSO program. Extra teams play home and away games against AYSO Extra teams from other towns.

As in core games, each player at a game will play at least half a game, and no player will play a full game until all have played at least three quarters of the game. Depending on the number of interested players, the Extra program in each age group may consist of individual teams or large groups. The Extra coaches in each age group, in conjunction with the AYSO Extra coordinator, will be responsible for formulating each age group's program based on the number of players, field availability and level of interest. If there are a large number of players in an age group, the coaches and AYSO Extra coordinator will determine an appropriate number of teams to enter into the Area-wide Extra schedule. If there are more players than can fit on the number of Extra teams in the age group, the coaches will rotate the players through the game schedule so that no child is left out and every child is able to participate in Extra games.

There is a supplemental charge to players in the Extra program to cover the cost of trainers and a separate uniform, if necessary. This typically is about $100-150 per player per season. If you would like additional information on AYSO Extra, contact Tom Pile, AYSO’s Extra Coordinator at tpile@audible.com.

Both Chappaqua Youth Soccer Club and AYSO provide travel soccer experiences for your kids. Both organizations want your child to know that everyone attending the Soccer Club tryouts will be able to play travel soccer. Some will play with CYSC, others with AYSO Extra. Your child does not need to attend the CYSC tryouts to play AYSO Extra. When schedules and field space allow, CYSC and AYSO will try to coordinate mid-week practices, to facilitate carpooling and peer group interaction.

Chappaqua AYSO neither sponsors nor endorses the Chappaqua Youth Soccer club, but is providing this information for those that are interested, and because both AYSO and CYSC are interested in providing the best possible programs in accordance with their respective philosophies.

What to Do If You Have Not Registered for the AYSO Fall 2005 - Spring 2006 Season

Most of you have already registered for the Fall 2005 - Spring 2006 season and will receive a confirmation e mail in a few weeks. If you have not yet registered, here's what you need to do. Go to www.chappaquaayso.org and click on the registration link on the home page. Read all of the directions and print them out before you start. Registration is a multi-step process and you will navigate through it much more easily if you read the directions first.

The eAYSO system into which you will be entering your information works best with Windows based systems using Internet Explorer. If you are using a Mac, particularly with Safari, or have Mozilla Firefox, you will probably have trouble entering data and printing finished forms. Save yourself a headache and use a different computer (computers are available at the Chappaqua Library).

Because many tried to register but could not because of computer issues, we've extended the discount until May 5th. From May 6th through June 30th, the discounted fee will increase to $90 per player. On July 1st, the rate goes to $115, and on August 1st to $140. From September 1st on the rate goes to $165. We will extend a courtesy rate to new residents after July 1st. Refunds are given to those for requests made prior to June 30th only.

Please note that players registering after August 1st may not receive a spot on a team, and will be put on a waiting list if necessary.

We need your help to get everyone registered as soon as possible, so we can balance teams and recruit and train coaches. Please remind your friends to register now. If you have an incoming kindergartener, we particularly need your help reaching out to your fellow parents who may have not yet registered, particularly those who do not already have children playing and may not know about registration.

Anyone who registers now should send their registration forms, family volunteer form, proof of birthday for first time players, and payment (or proof of payment if they paid online) to:

AYSO Registration
PO Box 113
Chappaqua, NY 10514

If you have any questions about registration, please contact our Registrar Dru Welburn at dru@ivmost.com.

If you are interested in coaching or assistant coaching, contact Scott Krase at skrase@ohpny.com.

Registration - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Thanks to all the volunteers for helping out today with registration at Town Hall. Over 1000 players were processed.

This year, in order to collect more accurate information, make registration easier for our volunteers, and reduce late registrations to facilitate the creation of better balanced teams, we switched to the AYSO national on line registration system. Most of you were able to complete the on line process and print out forms without problems. Unfortunately, not all operating systems, browsers and printers worked smoothly with this system. We provided laptops and printers at Town Hall to help those who had issues, but we probably could have used 2 or 3 times as many laptops and printers to cut down on the waiting time. Many of you were able to use computers at the library, which helped. Our webmaster/Registrar Dru Welburn deserves the AYSO equivalent of knighthood for patience and perseverance in helping parents navigate the on line system.

If you had difficulty with the online system, please send me an e mail detailing your problems, including the type of computer, printer, operating system and web browser at david@perlmutterproperties.com. We'll collect the information and share it with AYSO National so that they can use it to improve the system for the future.

For those of you that paid by credit card on April 30th, a system error charged many of you the undiscounted registration fee. We will refund the difference over the next several weeks.

There was one other glitch today for which I take responsibility. I had sent out information that was dutifully forwarded by the division coordinators that registration was starting at 9:00. The official registration start time was scheduled for 9:30. To those that had to wait unnecessarily, I apologize.

Although it was by no means perfect, the vast majority of you were able to register without difficulty. The eAYSO system is constantly being improved, and vastly easier to navigate than it was last year. We'll make note of the lessons learned from today's process, and use that information to improve next year's registration.

Since many of you diligently tried to register but were foiled by the system, we've extended the early bird discount period through 11:59 pm on May 5th. If you continue to experience difficulties, please contact Dru Welburn at dru@ivmost.com before you pull your hair out.

Thank you for your patience and support.

Registration Form Drop Off at Town Hall Saturday

Come one come all to New Castle Town Hall from 9 to 12:30 this Saturday only. Over 700 players have already pre-registered. Don't miss out on the fun!

R and R: Referees and Registration

Chappaqua AYSO has a couple of important events occurring this week.

First, it's John Barnes' Referee Instruction Class on April 28th and 29th from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at The Bell School. Anyone aged 12 or older is eligible. We recommend that each team in the U10 Division and up have its own "embedded" referee in case student refs are not available. John's class is informative, entertaining and FREE. Whether you want to ref or not, I guarantee you'll have a better understanding of the game upon completion of the class. I've taken the class and always have my yellow Referee's jersey handy and wield my Fox40 whistle proudly.

The second event is Registration Form Drop Off at Town Hall from 9:00 to 12:30. Pre-register on line ahead of time at www.chappaquaayso.org and drop off your signed forms. The first 1000 registrants at Town Hall on Saturday will receive AYSO "Everyone Plays" bands. Over 400 players have already pre-registered for the Fall 2005-Spring 2006. Even though you are filling out forms on line, we still need you to bring in or mail the signed forms to us. Your child is not registered unless we have the signed forms. Webmaster/Registrar Dru Welburn has done a great job of providing instructions on how to pre-register. Make sure that you print out the instructions on the website prior to starting the process.

We'll have half a dozen laptops available at Town Hall on Saturday for those of you that have not been able to pre-register on line. Avoid delays and pre-register today.

We've had a few inquiries about why AYSO needs the paper work when the forms are filled out electronically and payment can be made electronically. There are a few reasons. Registration forms contain an emergency medical release in the event of injury to your child. This authorizes your child's coach to seek medical care in case you are not present. Secondly, since we are a volunteer organization, we need your family volunteer form and your commitment to help with the program during the year. Other than coaches and board members, most volunteers need only commit 1 to 2 hours per year maintaining and preparing equipment, helping with photo day, or with registration.

In fact, we can use your help with registration on April 30th. If you signed up to help with registration when registering last year, you will be hearing from Dennis Greenberg, our Volunteer Coordinator. If you haven't heard from Dennis, but would like to help you can contact him at dgreenberg@dearborn.com. Volunteers will help collect and sort registration forms and family volunteer forms, answer questions, and verify birth information for first time registrants.

You may be wondering why we're starting registration so much earlier this year than in years past. With over 1300 children playing in Chappqua AYSO, organizing the teams is a monumental task for our volunteers, particularly the division coordinators. Every year, they spend a great deal of time during the summer organizing balanced teams so that competition is fair, because we think balanced teams makes it more fun for the kids. However, every summer we have dozens, if not hundreds, of players registering in late August and early September. If everyone registers on time we can do a better job of balancing teams, training coaches, and ensuring that team rosters are small enough so that your kids will get more playing time in games. Last fall the volume of late registrants lead to wait lists in a couple of divisions, a phenomenon we would like to avoid this year!

Please take the time to register your child now. We offer a substantial discount for registering on time. We offer a full refund for any reason for registration withdrawal requests received prior to June 30th. The time you spend registering your child now will make our volunteers' job easier, and more importantly, will help us give your child a better soccer experience.

If you have questions about registration, come see us at Town Hall on April 30th, or contact Dru at dru@ivmost.com.

Register Now for Fall 2005 - Spring 2006 Season

Registration is now open for the Fall 2005-Spring 2006 AYSO Soccer season. Click on the link on the Chappaqua AYSO home page to get registration instructions. For those registering by April 30th, there is a substantial early bird discount. You can now pay online with Visa, MasterCard or American Express, too. You'll still have to mail in the completed forms (Family Volunteer Form, and 2 copies of the player registration form) or bring them to Town Hall on April 30th between 9 and 12:30. First time Chappaqua AYSO players will also have to submit a copy of a birth certificate or other similar proof of age.

We'll be giving out blue AYSO "Everyone Plays" silicone bands to the first 1000 registrants at Town Hall on April 30th, so stop by!

Spring Soccer, Take 2

It looks like the kids will get to play soccer this weekend! The only one of our fields that is closed is Gedney 1, which will affect 3 U10 Boys games and 1 U10 Girls game. If your team is scheduled to play there, contact your coach to find out if your game is being rescheduled, relocated, or cancelled. If you can't reach your coach, contact either Dan Kreisler at dkreisler@optonline.net for the U10 Boys, or Jon Resnick at jresnick@barbizon.com, who is acting as deputy division coordinator for the U10 girls this weekend.

As always, you should check the weather page on www.chappaquaayso.org or the Chappaqua AYSO information hotline at 238-6145 for last minute changes. Please note that the Rec. Department hotline is not a reliable source of information for soccer changes. Use the AYSO hotline instead.

Have fun this weekend!

Recreation Fields at Readers Digest?

Tuesday night I attended the joint Town Board/Town Planning Board session at which the new owners of the Readers Digest property made their initial presentation. The current plan calls for approximately 500,000 SF of office space (reduced from the current 700,000+), plus 348 dwelling units for people 55+ years old. The owners are also planning to maintain over 50 acres of open space. This is a great opportunity for the Town of New Castle to get some additional space for active recreation. If you support the creation of playing fields at the Readers Digest campus please send an email to Jan Wells at jlwells@town.new-castle.ny.us.

For a good time (hanging nets) contact Dennis at dgreenberg@dearborn.com 

Net Hanging Volunteers Needed

We have more nets to hang on goals this Wednesday, April 6th at 6:00. We'll meet at the Greeley Student parking lot. Thanks to Ben, Mike, Dennis, and John for braving the cold rain on Sunday morning, when we completed the 14 U8 goals at Greeley.

Contact Dennis Greenberg at dgreenberg@dearborn.com if you can help.

Welcome to the Spring 2005 Season

March 30th, 2005

Welcome to the Spring 2005 soccer season! Although we were scheduled to start play this weekend, the fields are still too wet. We hope to start the weekend of April 9th and 10th. Area Extra play is also scheduled to start on April 9th.

Looking at the month ahead, here are some other important dates to keep in mind:

• April 1st - Registration for the Fall 2005-Spring 2006 season begins. Register by April 30th for the Early Bird Discount
• April 2nd - Goal Maintenance and Netting - Volunteers will meet at the Horace Greeley High School student parking lot (in front of fields B and C) at 10:00 am. The rain date for this is April 3rd at 10:00 am.
• April 7th - New Soccer Parents' Orientation at 7:30 pm at the Chappaqua Library Auditorium
• April 18-22nd - Spring Break Soccer Camp
• April 28th and 29th - Beginner Referee's Class, taught by our Chappaqua AYSO's Referee Instructor John Barnes. Time and place to be announced
• April 30th - On site registration at Town Hall from 9 to 12:30

Thanks to all the volunteers for their work during the winter months to organize the season ahead. Let's play soccer!