By Marianne Christy
Old Forge AYSO is currently in dire need of volunteers who can act in a variety of capacities to assure the continuance of the youth soccer program for the upcoming fall season.
Jason Perkins, the commissioner of local AYSO Region 1101, is one of four volunteers currently sitting on the board, however he and two others stepped down from their positions at the end of the spring season.
Perkins, who has led the program for the past three-and-a-half years, will be continuing his education at SUNY Oswego in the fall.
“Jason has been an incredible asset to AYSO. He came on board just as we were about to lose the program [due to lack of volunteers] and got parents and teenagers motivated to become certified coaches. He was instrumental in keeping AYSO alive,” said Laurie Barkauskas, board member and Perkins’ assistant.
According to Barkauskas, if the void of volunteers is not filled soon, the local program will not continue.
It is her hope that parents who have young children in the program and who have seen the progression of their soccer skills, will come on board.
“If you like watching some great competitive play at a varsity soccer game, it’s time to step up…because AYSO is where it all begins,” she said.
Available board positions and brief descriptions of their duties are:
Regional Commissioner – Manages day-to-day operations. Organizes and oversees the Region. Represents Region at Area, Section and National level at 5-8 meetings per year.
Registrar – Plans and implements annual registration of players and volunteers
Referee Administrator – Recruits volunteer referees and manage referee game coverage.
Coach Administrator – Recruits coaches and manage their team assignments
Field Liner – Creates and maintains field lines
Safety Officer – Ensure the safety of players and volunteers.
Child Volunteer Protection Advocate – oversees the Child and Volunteer Protection Program in the Region in accordance with the AYSO Safe Haven program.
Fundraising Administrator – organizes and implements fundraising events and programs to keep registration costs down.
Perkins said he has been given a deadline of July 31 to attract new volunteers. All training will be provided through AYSO.
More information is available by calling him at (315) 369-5269.