The AYSO VIP (Very Important Players) Program provides a quality soccer experience for children and adults whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams. VIP teams may include:

• Blind or visually impaired
• Amputees or with conditions that impair mobility
• Mentally or emotionally challenged
• Autistic
• Down syndrome
• Cerebral Palsy

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. 

Teams can have as few as three players and may be co-ed. VIP teams can be put together with players who register based on mobility or ability. Older and younger players can also be separated onto different teams when numbers allow. 

Goals & Objectives

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Goal: Players will have fun playing soccer
Objectives: 

• To introduce all skills by using games 
• To allow players to set the pace 
• To relax and be flexible 
• To keep everything positive 

Goal: Players will understand the fundamentals of the game
Objectives: 

• To give each player plenty of opportunities to play the ball 
• To build skills on the success of previously learned skills 
• To involve family members in learning soccer fundamentals 

Goals: Players will learn teamwork and fair play
Objectives: 

• To build teamwork and fair play into practice sessions 
• To encourage team identity by wearing uniforms and participating in team get-togethers 
• To reward positive effort when teamwork and fair play are observed 

Goal: Players will increase their self-esteem
Objectives: 

• To establish individual, realistic goals with players 
• To encourage effort toward goals, no matter how small 
• To recognize player effort and achievement 

Goal: Players will become more physically fit
Objectives: 

• To encourage maximum participation in physical movement for each player at his or her level 
• To facilitate player participation in off-season physical activities or sports 

Goal: Players will meet and be comfortable with new people
Objectives: 

• To encourage parents to play a supportive, not active, role during games 
• To facilitate the development of positive player relationships with buddies and other volunteers 
• To utilize community helpers

Mission & Vision

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VIP Mission Statement 

The mission of the AYSO VIP Program is to provide a quality soccer experience for individuals whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult for them to successfully participate on mainstream soccer teams. What is successful participation? It should be defined by the player’s enjoyment and the safety of all team members.

VIP Vision Statement 

The vision of the AYSO VIP Program is to create VIP teams in every AYSO Region wherever possible and to maximize opportunities for VIP player participation where VIP teams are not available.


Find Your Local VIP Program 
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