The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) demonstrates its on-going commitment to recreational youth soccer with an unprecedented decision to allow its local region in La Mirada to incorporate, yet still receive its supportive resources. In August of this year, the City of La Mirada gave notice to the local AYSO Regional leadership that it was not in compliance with the City’s Athletic Facility Usage Agreement and that after 35 years, the relationship would be terminated on January 8, 2008. Specifically, the agreement contains a provision, now several years in writing, requiring that all organizations using City facilities have their non-profit tax ID form show a La Mirada mailing address. According to the City's Director of Community Services, Tom Robinson, this address ensures local control of the organization. However, AYSO is a national non-profit corporation based in Hawthorne, CA serving over 1,000 other regions, 250,000 registered volunteers supporting over 650,000 players aged 4 to 19 in all 50 states, and has operated as such since 1964.
On October 29, 2007, the Chairman of the National Board of Directors of AYSO notified Region 22 (La Mirada) that the NBOD had authorized the region to establish and operate under a non-profit corporation in La Mirada. Further, the Chairman, Burton Haimes, wrote, “AYSO will continue to provide you, your volunteers and your participants with AYSO insurance, indemnification and the vast array of other services provided to our Regions.” This unprecedented move by AYSO National encapsulates its commitment to provide its regions with the resources and assistance necessary to provide a world-class soccer program for youth and young adults.
AYSO Region 22 is currently serving over 1100 youth and young adults, and their families in La Mirada. AYSO is based on the five philosophies of balanced teams, open registration, good sportsmanship, positive coaching, and everyone plays. Further, AYSO’s Region 22 is proud to serve a large number of special needs players through its VIP Soccer program and received the Volunteers in Action award in 2006, and was recognized by the City Council, the County, the State and the United States House of Representatives and Senate last year for its achievements and service to the City of La Mirada and surrounding communities.
AYSO Region 22 is also the first youth sports organization in La Mirada to implement a safety program requiring every volunteer who comes in contact with the program’s youth to be screened via fingerprinting and a Department of Justice clearance at no cost to the City or the volunteer.
The President of La Mirada’s Athletic Council has expressed that the AYSO National Board’s gesture is “great news.” AYSO Region 22’s leadership is now working to finalizing local non-profit corporate plans and expects to present the City with its Tax-ID with a La Mirada address before the City’s deadline. This final item will allow the 35-year-old region to comply with all of the City’s requirements, thus clearing the way for a quality soccer program for the City’s residents to endure for many years to come and continue making a significant contribution to America’s fastest growing sport.
Regional Commissioner John Schneider
rc@ayso22.org - EMAIL
www.ayso22.org - WEBSITE
866-714-7733 – FAX
