Soccer for Players with Special Needs:
The Concord AYSO "VIP" Division
use these links to jump down to: Current Info: Teams, Events, Times, and Places |
Program Goals and Style of Play | Other VIP Regions
The VIP program is a unique division of AYSO for challenged players with physical, mental, or developmental limitations. For program information in the San Francisco East Bay, or to volunteer as a coach, assistant coach, or buddy, contact Jeri Satterfield by phone — (925) 673-0977 — or by e-mail.
- VIP teams are composed only of players with special needs.
- VIP teams play arranged games with teams from the general AYSO program, and against other VIP teams when available.
- No experience necessary. Players must be 4 years old by July 31. We have VIP teams for all ages, with no upper age limit.
- No geographic residency requirements. Practices and games are held in Concord, plus occasional road tournaments; but our players come from as far away as Orinda, Bay Point, Benicia, and San Ramon.
- No player is turned away. Half and full scholarships are available!
- Registration includes a complete uniform and a ball. The only equipment you need to provide is shin guards, shoes, and a smile!
Our season runs from August 1 to October 31. Regular in-person registration days are held in the spring; deadline for registration is September 1. For registration information, click the registration info link on this site or contact Jeri Satterfield.
Volunteers Needed
We need a few VIP parents to step up and take on small parts of running the program. Specifically, the following efforts won't happen unless someone takes charge of them. Please contact Jeri to sign up!
- Equipment and field manager - need a person to unlock gate and goals on game days and maintain equipment. Order more paint when supplies get low and coordinate moving goals to El Dorado / Westwood fields (Soccerfest) in October.
VIP families should use the links at the left side of the page to stay informed on Concord AYSO dates such as registration, the "town hall" season kickoff meeting, and picture day. Here are some VIP-specific events:
- VIP volunteer training: If you'd like to be a coach, assistant coach, or just a helping "buddy", plan on attending this class for new volunteers. Thursday, July 22 at 6:30 pm (contact Pete Gaughan at 925-330-1733 to RSVP).
- Field set-up: Help mark out our soccer fields at Baldwin Park. Monday, August 2, 5:00.
- Practices start: Wednesday August 4 and Saturday August 7. Specific days and times for each team's practices and games are posted here as soon as they're available.
Most East Bay VIP practices and games take place at Baldwin Park: Parkside Circle at Bonifacio St. in downtown Concord (map). The Baldwin Park fields are reserved for VIP use on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
The AYSO VIP Program provides a quality soccer experience for children and adults aged 5 and up; the program is open to anyone whose physical or developmental challenges make it difficult to successfully participate on a mainstream team. VIP teams may include those who have:
- Impaired vision, hearing, or mobility
- Autism, Down syndrome, mental retardation, or developmental delays
- Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and other physical handicaps
- Attention Deficit Disorder or related attention/focus challenges
These individuals are Very Important Players (VIP) in AYSO. We recognize that everyone needs to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. The VIP program offers that acceptance and carries AYSO's philosophy of Everyone Plays® to new heights—giving everyone a chance to play. Our goals for every participating player are:
- Have fun playing soccer
- Understand the fundamentals of the game
- Learn teamwork and fair play
- Increase positive self-esteem
- Become more physically fit
- Meet and be comfortable with new people
Each VIP program is designed for the players in that particular region. Our East Bay teams are carefully organized by age and (when numbers permit) by sex as well as by size, mobility, and physical ability. There is no upper age limit for VIP players as long as they remain on VIP teams. The length of games, style of play, and even the rules are all tailored to the players involved.
In our region, most games are played against slightly older players from non-disabled teams, who are coached on how to play a fun and instructive game against VIP players. As we grow the VIP program, we'll have more chances for VIP teams to play against each other as well.
Buddies
People with disabilities are members of our community: the children of friends, neighbors, relatives; our classmates and coworkers. Kids with special needs are estimated to make up approximately 10% of the school-age population. Special schools and classrooms can isolate these children, so the AYSO VIP program has been structured to integrate our special players into the rest of AYSO by having non-disabled players—"buddies"—assist them on the field. These relationships frequently grow beyond support into meaningful friendships.
VIP helps more than just the players. Buddies and other volunteers increase their appreciation and understanding of individuals with special needs. They find their lives greatly enriched by their involvement with their new VIP friends. For parents thinking they would never see their children playing a sport or making new friends, VIP gives them joy and hope. They are able to relax and enjoy watching their children having fun like other kids, perhaps for the first time.
The AYSO site has more details on how VIP works, as do most AYSO regional web pages. To find an AYSO VIP program near you, call AYSO's international headquarters in L.A.: (310) 643-6455, ask for the Programs Dept. Here are some AYSO special-needs soccer programs in Northern California and Northern Nevada, but more recent information might be available on the NorCal section's web site: