VIP Program Manager - Thomas Findlay
VIP Program
The AYSO VIP (Very Important Player) Program was designed to provide a quality soccer experience for
kids (ages 6 and up) whose physical/mental challenges prevent them from
successfully participating on a “typical” team.
VIP Objectives:
- To give ALL players the
opportunity to play ball
- To teach teamwork and
fair play
- To learn the basic
skills of the game at the pace of each individual player
- To encourage maximum
participation for each player
- And, most importantly,
to have fun!
Our VIP teams participate in all regional activities such as Opening Day
festivities, Picture Day and our End of the Season Tournament. Our end of
season tournament hosts about 150 kids from Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel and
Irvine. After our soccer games, the kids have a barbecue lunch (much of
which is donated by local businesses) and all players are presented with a trophy by their coach.
The program runs in parallel with the Fall Play program. The registration
date is held in early spring; please check the website for the exact date and
time.
Another very important opportunity offered is mainstream players that
participate in the VIP Program as “buddies”. The lower division VIP
players are paired with a mainstream player who can assist and give direction
to our players if needed. This program gives the “buddies” a chance to
get to know our players as individuals and friends. It’s a positive
experience for all involved.
Our VIP Program also has an upper division for older kids who have had more
experience and there is no age limit for these players.
AYSO recognizes that EVERYONE needs to feel like they belong and that they
are accepted. The soccer program allows our VIP players the chance to
experience all of this and more.