Volunteer Overview

AYSO is a volunteer-run program, and volunteer coaches are at the core of the success of Deerfield AYSO. All teams need at least one coach, and we endeavor to find enough volunteers coaches to have both a Head Coach and a Assistant Coach for each team.

Coach volunteers contribute a few hours a week during the fall and summer to run practices and games. No soccer knowledge is required - the main responsibility of the coaches are to ensure the kids have a fun and safe time playing soccer. With safety as a priority, all AYSO programs require coaches to register and complete important training that helps individuals understand the expectations as a volunteer as well as foster a safe environment for our kids.

The Deerfield AYSO Board is here to help you get registered and trained. Please don't hesitate to reach out the the Regional Commissioner (Jonathan Emery) at [email protected] for assistance.

If you've already completed your volunteer registration and simply need directions on how to complete training certifications, please jump to the Certification Overview.

Volunteer Registration

To register as a coach, create an account at the Deerfield AYSO website. Through this website you will be able to register your children for AYSO programs, pay registration fees, access training, and - importantly - complete volunteer certification. After creating an account, click on the Volunteer tab in the left navigation bar:

Certification

After signing up to volunteer, can always check your certification status by navigating to Volunteer in the left-hand navigation Deerfield AYSO Portal. To serve as a coach volunteer, you'll need to get checkmarks under Compliant to each certification other than Fingerprinting, which is not required in Illinois.




Upon registering as a volunteer, you will need to complete all the trainings listed below. You can follow Certification Procedures (in the next section, below) to complete each certification.

Certification Overview:

1. Risk Status (Background Check): All volunteers must complete a criminal background check that confirms the individual is approved to work with children. This background check will periodically expire, and we will notify you when you need to recomplete the check. Click here to learn how to complete this task.
2. SafeSport: This training, which is required as of 2024, covers principles and strategies for fostering safe and positive sports environments. It trains volunteers in recognizing, preventing, and reporting misconduct. Click here to learn how to complete this task.
3. Concussion Awareness: This course trains volunteers on how to respond in the case of suspected concussion. This training does not expire. Click here to learn how to complete this task.
4. Sudden Cardiac Arrest: This course trains volunteers on how to respond in the case of sudden cardiac arrest. This training is not required, but is highly recommended. This training does not expire. Click here to learn how to complete this task.
5. AYSO Safe Haven: This program, established by AYSO as the first of its kind in youth sports. It trains volunteers on safety protocols and focuses on the best ways to work with children. Click here to learn how to complete this task.
6. Age-specific Coach Certification: Depending on the age group you coach (6U and under, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U), coaches need training in the specific rules of the division. Some divisions (8U and below) )only require online training, while others have a required online component. There are many options for in-person training in Deerfield and surrounding regions. This training does not expire. Click here to learn how to complete this task.
7. Yearly Deerfield AYSO Coach Orientations: These are held in the Fall each year - you will receive an email about the dates and times. The slides from this year's presentation are available at the bottom of this page.
   

Certification Procedures:

Certifications are provided by various third-party groups, and each certification process is different. Please follow the directions below to complete certification. While these certifications can take time, they very important for the safety of our players and volunteers as well as the health of the organization. We are happy to help any volunteer personally understand these requirements and provide guidance in completing them.

Some of these trainings require completion of online modules or registration for in-person events through AYSOU.org. You may become frustrated with AYSOU.org. It's not you. It's the site. Please reach out if you are struggling with the website and we'll help as best we can.

Risk Status (Background Check )

1. Navigate to Volunteers 
2. Click View  on My Roles and Certificates.
3. Click the box next to Risk Status if the status is Expired or None. 
4. Click Renew and Update (bottom right).
5. Check the email associated with your AYSO Deerfield account. You should receive an email from Sterling Volunteers ([email protected]). This email sometimes goes to your spam/junk folder, so make sure to check there.
6. Follow the directions in the email to complete the background check. This can take a few days.
7. If you have trouble or don't receive the email, please contact the Regional Coach administrator (email at the bottom of this page).

AYSOU Safe Haven, SafeSport, Concussion Awareness, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest

For the safety trainings in this section, you need to use AYSOU. Again, it isn't you, it's the website. To access AYSOU and register/complete the trainings, please click on Volunteers in the Deerfield AYSO Portal. Then, click on the blue AYSOU button on the right-hand side of the screen, as shown below.



Clicking this button will take you to a new website, and you'll be automatically logged in. Here, you will want to click on Training Library and expand the Safe Haven training options by clicking the caret symbol next to "Safe Haven". You'll then see numerous options (see below) - you need to complete AYSO's Safe Haven, Concussion Awareness, and Safe Sport ("Access Your Safe Sport Course Here"). You can also complete the optional training Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Expect these trainings to take a few hours in total - we know this is a commitment, but it is important for the safety of the kids.

Upon completion, you'll receive confirmation emails from AYSOU, and your Volunteer page on the Deerfield AYSO will be updated.

Age-specific Coach Training

Lastly, you'll need to complete age-specific coach training. Different age groups have different requirements:

• 8U and under provide the option of in-person training prior to the season start, or fully online training. We suggest the in-person training because you will complete 6U and 8U at the same time, and the training is quicker. Registration for these trainings is sent to you via email. If you elect the online these trainings, navigate AYSOU - Training Library - Coaching as shown in the image below. Note: if you are coaching 5U, please simply complete the 6U training.
• 10U, 12U, and U14 have an online component and an on-field component. We'll communicate on-field training sign ups separately - via email. These are held in Deerfield and neighboring regions in both the Fall and the Spring. The online portions can also be completed through AYSOU - Training Library - Coaching as shown in the image below: