Become an AYSO Volunteer

AYSO is a volunteer-run organization, and our PHMSA region thrives because of the dedicated parents, grandparents, and community members who step up to support our players. Volunteering isn’t just about helping out—it’s about making a difference in kids’ lives. When they see parents and community members stepping up, they learn the value of teamwork, commitment, and giving back.  

There’s a place for everyone! You can be a coach, referee, team manager, board member, or assist with game-day logistics. No prior soccer experience is needed—we provide the training and support to help you succeed. See below for details.

 

There are many ways to get involved with PHMSA! Whether you have a little time or a lot, your help makes a big difference in creating a great soccer experience for our players.

Core Volunteer Roles (Team-Specific)

Coach / Assistant Coach
Coaching is one of the most rewarding ways to get involved! No experience? No problem—AYSO provides training and support to help you succeed.
Learn more about coaching
 

Referee (8U+ Only)
Referees help ensure fair and fun play for our teams! Training is provided, and it's a great way to stay involved in the game.
Learn more about refereeing 

Team Manager
Team Managers help keep everything organized so coaches can focus on the game. Responsibilities include:
• Ensuring all team volunteer positions are filled, including snack and banner coordinators
• Following up with volunteers to get tasks/jobs completed
• Helping the coach relay important information to the team
• Assisting with coordination of a team party (if desired)

Field Coordinator
Team Field Coordinators play a key role in keeping our fields game-ready. They work with the coaches who have keys to the Knaack storage boxes at each field location. Responsibilities include:
• Facilitating field set-up if your team has the first game of the day
• Moving goals and corner flags to play position if your team has the first game of the day
• Walking the field and checking for safety hazards (filling in gopher holes, etc.)
• Ensuring all trash and equipment are cleared at the end of the game
• Facilitating field clean-up if your team has the last game of the day
• Moving goals and corner flags back to storage and locking them up if your team has the last game of the day

PHMSA Cup Volunteer (10U+ Only)
During the PHMSA Cup at the end of the season, each team provides volunteers to help the tournament run smoothly. Responsibilities include:
• Helping with tournament operations, including field marshaling and general event support
• Acting as a liaison between the PHMSA Cup Committee and your team to relay important information

 

Board Member (Region-Wide)

The PHMSA board is looking for more teammates! The board meets once a month to plan and organize the season, ensuring our region runs smoothly. If you would like to be part of the team, check out our open positions.

View open board positions

 

If you need to be reimbursed for an approved PHMSA expense, please complete the Reimbursement Request Form and email it, along with all required receipts, to [email protected]

PHMSA Reimbursement Request Form

Nancy Gerber 
National Referee, Intermediate Coach, Referee Instructor

What made you become a referee?
At the team meeting for my son’s first year in 8U, the coach stated that we needed referees and wouldn’t move on to the next item in the meeting until we had two referees. I volunteered even though I knew nothing about soccer. Over the years I upgraded my certification as my son moved up in age groups until I had reached the highest level of AYSO referee certification.

Why do you keep refereeing? Most referees only last three games.
I’m not sure why I kept up with it, other than I’m too stubborn to quit and I hate it when people don’t follow the rules, players included. As I got more experienced, I started to enjoy it. There’s both a mental and a physical component that I like, and I’ve learned so much about soccer over the years. I also like that I’m contributing to the league and taking a burden off of someone else.

What was your biggest challenge?
Confidence at first. Since I came in knowing nothing about soccer, it was easy for me to feel that I didn’t know what I was doing, and I was very susceptible to criticism from parents and coaches. The game seemed to go by so quickly and my brain always seemed a step behind. Now that I’m more experienced much of the basics come naturally and I can focus on more subtle aspects of refereeing, which makes it mentally more satisfying. At the younger ages, I really enjoy helping the kids learn the rules and develop of love of the “beautiful game.”

James Plato
Coach

What made you become a coach?
I got into coaching because, after playing AYSO (PHMSA to be specific) for my entire life, I felt as though I could give back to the league. Not having any kids in the league, it was rewarding to give back to all the parents and volunteers throughout the league.

Why do you keep coaching?
I look forward to continuing to coach because it is so rewarding to see the kids enjoy playing a game that I am so passionate about and to help shape the youth for the future.

What was your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge I came across was ensuring that referee time slots were filled. I wasn't the best with checking the ref scheduler each week. If the time slots weren't filled, it could add some last minute stress to the weekend.

Robyn Sekel 
Coach

What made you become a coach?
I had played soccer starting at age 5 and played until my kids started school. When my son started playing 6U, I never dreamed of coaching but wanted to help out so I signed up to referee and did that through 8U. I enjoyed being a referee and learned a different aspect of soccer that you don't get when just playing. Then my daughter started playing 8U and had two wonderful coaches that made coaching look fun, so I started to get the itch. The following year, my daughter moved up to 10U and I decided to coach her team. Then the call came from my son's 12U Division that they needed coaches, so I coached his team as well. I thought "I might as well jump in all the way" and I haven't looked back since.

Why do you keep coaching?
I enjoy being on the field teaching these kids, not just soccer skills, but what it takes to play on a team, how to get joy, not by scoring, but when players can string together multiple passes, when they lead each other on the field and hold their heads up high, even when they lose. It's so rewarding to see how they improve from the first practice to the last game and how excited they get when on the field.

What was your biggest challenge?
If practices and game line-ups are prepared ahead of time, then there aren't too many challenges. When your goal is to have fun on the field and know that the kids just want to play, then it's great. There are going to be days when the players (at any age) are not going to listen and are restless but there are going to be the fantastic days when it all clicks. I guess if there is a challenge, it's the parents who get a bit too competitive when it's really to just develop the kids and have fun.

Mike Borges
Intermediate Referee and Coach

What made you become a referee?
There was a points system in our first year of soccer where the parents were required to volunteer for various roles and referee seemed to be something I could do and fit my need for a flexible schedule.
Why do you keep refereeing? Most referees only last three games.
It started to grow on me. I didn’t grow up dreaming to become a referee, but I realized that I could do it after a few 8U games. After a while, I realized that I was learning to communicate more confidently, clearly and decisively which helped me at work and with my kids. Learning to manage games helped me understand the value of being more organized. I could feel a difference when I was not as prepared and it made me realize that games are better and everyone wins when you are prepared. It was a personal challenge to up my game in that area. You know that what you are doing is really worth it when parents, kids and coaches genuinely thank you after games.
What was your biggest challenge?
Center refereeing my first 10U game. It was actually an accident, as I signed up to be an assistant referee for a 10U girls game. There was no center referee so I stepped up. 8U and below games are simple and fun and the parents and coaches are going to be happy as long as the kids are having fun and not getting hurt. However, there is a clear step up in the expectations for knowing the rules when you do 10U games. I must have done okay as no one yelled at me. Doing more games and sticking with it, even when there are tough moments, is the key. It takes practice, repeatedly seeing game action, to identify correct calls and understanding the flow of the game. Figure out your pace, such as doing more games as an assistant referee and observing experienced referees vs. jumping right into a center referee role can help build your confidence.

More AYSO Volunteer Stories

AYSO National Volunteer Page