AYSO is a volunteer-based organization. The volunteers include parents who donate their time as coaches, referees, team parents, administrators or sponsors. In 1998, AYSO unveiled its new Coach Certification and Safe Haven programs. Each was designed to strengthen the organization’s role in child protection. Although AYSO is primarily a youth sports organization, it realizes the importance of providing a safe and healthy atmosphere for children. AYSO is continually working to improve the education of its volunteers in the fields of child development, human behavior and sports psychology.

AYSO is a National Association of the United States Soccer Federation. We adhere to the Laws of FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) with some minor variations. For instance, AYSO Promotes short-sided games. We believe the most effective way for a child to develop his/her soccer skills during game-time situations is to increase the number of touches the child sees during match play. It has been proven that short- sided games promote increased touches. In line with short-sided games, AYSO allows for its regions to adjust the field size accordingly for each of its divisions (i.e., U-6, U-8, U-10, etc.).

AYSO is organized by sections, areas and regions. There are 14 sections across the United States with an administrative section (Section 99) for those areas outside of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Region 500 is within Section 8.

Each section is made up of areas. Within Section 8 there are currently 11 Areas (10 chartered; 1 pilot). Region 500 is one the regions within Area D. Section 8 is comprised of 116 regions with nearly 65,000 players and 13,000 volunteers.

Within each area are a collection of regions. Across all of AYSO, there are over 1000 regions! Within Area D, there currently exists 14 regions. We are Region 282.

We are all overseen by the National Board of Directors (NBOD) who make the rules and set direction for the organization. Each group is headed by an individual. The region is headed by the Regional Commissioner, the area is headed by the Area Director, the section is headed by the Section Director, and the NBOD is headed by the National President

While the region is headed by the Regional Commissioner and the regional staff, every volunteer makes the Region a success. The regional staff is made up of about 30 hard working, dedicated individuals who coordinate the program. From the Coach Administrator who organizes coaches and training to the Referee Administrator who coordinates the referees and their training, each is vital in the success of our program. The volunteers who make up our coaches and referees are equally as important. Without them, there could be no practices, games, or program at all. Then within the team, every parent who organizes pizza parties and snacks and everything else help make this program what it is.

Since Region282, and for that matter all sections, areas and regions, is run solely by volunteers, we always welcome any and all who are willing to help. We can never have a shortage of help. If you are willing to help, WE WILL FIND SOMETHING FOR YOU TO DO! The first step is to speak with one of the regional board members and let them know you are interested. From there, register as an AYSO volunteer. We recommend using www.eAYSO.org. The process is painless, your personal information (Social Security Number and Drivers License Number) is secure and when you need to register in upcoming years, re-registering is EASY.