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Good sportsmanship, positive coaching cornerstones of AYSO
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Anonymous user Tue Mar 21, 2006 13:28:03 PST
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0 responses 0 comments The final curtain has not yet closed on AYSO soccer at CSUB.

While the university has given notice that the school's expansion calls for buildings where the fields are now, Region 73 is guaranteed at least one more fun-filled season on the grass where kids have played for 25 years.
 
In addition to AYSO, several other organizations have used the soccer fields at CSUB, including American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, BOWS (Bakersfield Organization for Women's Soccer), and the Garces Tournament, held in December for high school soccer teams. The fields were even utilized as a parking lot when the Bakersfield Business Conference was held on the university's grounds.

There's no question that soccer is popular in Bakersfield, and nearly everyone has had personal experience with AYSO or knows someone who has. Approximately 2400 children ages 4 1/2 to 18 participated in the region's fall season, and a similar number is expected next year.

The AYSO program is based upon five philosophies: Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching and Good Sportsmanship.

Children are randomly assigned to teams, and all players are guaranteed to play at least half of every game.

AYSO relies on volunteers to coach and referee and provide other support, such as concession sales and regional board positions. Local businesses that sponsor teams provide a significant amount of the funds needed to operate the region, and without their support the region would not prosper as it has for over 30 years.

While Region 73 has enjoyed a continuing relationship with CSUB, its history precedes those fields. When the region was founded in 1975, games were held on elementary, junior high and high school fields scattered throughout Southwest Bakersfield, and later moved to church fields. Many teams still practice on school fields, and returning to those fields for games, at least temporarily, is a possibility that the region is investigating.

Region 73 has been quietly searching for new fields for several years. Several locations have previously been considered, but ultimately deemed incongruent with the region's current needs and vision for the future.

Most recently, the region has participated in several meetings with the city regarding locating the new fields at the corner of Ashe and Taft Highway, adjacent to the city's water treatment facility. The region gathered hundreds of signatures in a show of support for the region's relocation to the city's site, and is prepared to sign a letter of intent regarding the Taft Highway site. In the meantime, the region is willing to look at any other sites offered for the new fields in hopes of finding a suitable location. Once a location has been determined, the region will begin the task of planning and developing the site for play as soon as possible.

While all good things must come to an end, the conclusion of AYSO's tenure at CSUB brings the excitement and anticipation of having a new location to accommodate current and future players. The overwhelming support from the community that has sustained the region throughout the years will be instrumental in securing its future at a new location. In the meantime, Region 73 will enjoy at least one more season on the fields at CSUB that have provided fun, fair and safe soccer to thousands of southwest Bakersfield children through the years.

Do you want to play? Need more information? Want to sponsor a team? Visit Region 73's Web site: www.region73.org

Do you know anyone with land or services to contribute? Contact Greg Collins, member of Region 73's Relocation Committee at 336-0964.

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