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AYSO Region 71 Spring League a huge success

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Contributed by: Pam Vetter on 5/31/2008

The first AYSO Region 71 Woodland Hills Spring Soccer League was met with smiles from 270 youth soccer players as hundreds of relaxed parents watched from the sidelines at Bischoff Field.

John Gernert, coordinator of the Spring League, received positive feedback from both players and parents at the end of the season.

"Everybody enjoyed our first spring season. We played with a different format than the fall season by offering organized pickup games only on Saturdays. Every player in a certain division wore the same colored uniforms. By using a computer program, we spread the players between teams on their abilities. Half of the players wore pinnies. Players warmed up for 30 minutes and then played an hour game. We didn't keep score. Instead, it was about the kids playing," Gernert explained.

"I received really interesting comments from the players and parents. There was no pressure on the players and they loved it. The parents told me, 'This is the way I learned to play the game,'" he added. "We still used the rules for equal play and the philosophies of AYSO along with coaches and referees. But the kids were just having fun and using their abilities creatively on the soccer field."

The season was organized to run eight weeks from April to May. It was such a huge success that the Spring League will return next year for youth players under 5 to under 14 years of age.

"I guarantee next year, the number of spring players will increase two or three times. A third of the kids this year had never played soccer before and it was a perfect introduction to the game with no pressure because no one kept score. It was a good reminder that kids play for fun not for the final score," Gernert said. "There's nothing better than being out on the soccer field and seeing the kids smile. It was a win-win situation for everyone."

The cost of the Spring League was only $70 per youth player and included a uniform with a jersey, shorts and socks.

Lois Iwata, Spring League volunteer, believes in providing soccer play throughout the year.

"For kids who don't play on tournament teams, this really offered a great opportunity for continued play. All of the kids I talked to had a great time and said they wanted to come back and play next spring because they liked playing with their friends. I'd love to have more parents get involved with the AYSO organization as well. With this season, there was no practice during the week, only warm up and play on Saturdays at a set time. So, with a one-day commitment each week, it truly benefited the kids who wanted to play soccer," Iwata explained. "Kids were divided evenly and played equal time. We were never short of enough kids who love to play soccer.

"The last day of play fell on a holiday weekend," Iwata added, "and we ended with a wonderful potluck style party. All of the parents agreed to bring a food item and every youth player who participated during the Spring League received a medal. It was a terrific season!"

The regular AYSO Region 71 Woodland Hills season runs from September through December.

For sign up information for the fall season, link to