The Malibu AYSO season kicked off last weekend, six months after the soccer league was almost to the point of shuttering its operation in Malibu due to lack of volunteers.
First-year Malibu AYSO Regional Commissioner Curtis Augspurger said the league’s players, parents, volunteers and fans are excited about the season, which runs until Nov. 5.
“We are all fired up,” he said. “For a program that was out on the brink, we have had an amazing response. We have a good group of coaches, and all the teams are signed up.”
Around 550 kids ages four and up will be competing in the Malibu AYSO each week, with about 120 volunteers assisting with league and game day operations such as coaching, officiating and photography.
AYSO in Malibu was in a sudden death situation earlier this year. The local affiliate of the nationwide, nonprofit organization of the same name was in dire need of volunteers to fill some the administrative jobs and game day roles that make the youth program tick.
Augspurger said once word spread about how badly volunteers were needed for the city’s main soccer program for kids, people sprung into the roles.
“We have plenty of volunteers coming out, but there is room for more,” he said.
All the league’s coaches did their certifications and training on Aug. 20. The league had a referee-training program of AYSO game officials, which featured about six to eight youth referees, last Sunday.
The heavy call for volunteerism is not the only unique thing about Malibu AYSO this season. Augspurger mentioned activities happening this season outside the games.
The Playground Program for three- and four-year-old kids will be each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Malibu Bluffs Park. It is geared toward teaching tikes foot skills with the soccer ball. The cost is $75 for the season or parents can pay a day rate.
“You can drop your kids off and then go watch your older kids play,” Augspurger said. “We are trying to build the program from the bottom up.”
Augspurger said the league is attempting to start an adult team.
“Put your sideline talk to play on the field,” he said. “We have a team that is almost formed, so we are going to try to do some inter-area play.”
The AYSO lead man said Pepperdine women’s soccer program is working with the league this fall.
Pepperdine coach Tim Ward is going to host a few coaching clinics and his players will host a mentorship clinic. During at least one Waves’ game this season, a couple of AYSO teams will walk onto the field with the Pepperdine players for the national anthem. At halftime of the game, the two young teams will play a quick contest.
Augspurger said Malibu AYSO’s lead trainer, Andrew Pierce, would lead player development sessions during the season.
“We really want to get our players up to speed with proper skills,” he said. “Making it a fun environment. Rule number one is fun first.”
Pictures of Malibu’s younger soccer players in game day action will be a big part of the season.
Sammy’s Camera and Sony will host a photographer seminar on Oct. 1 at Malibu Bluffs Park to train local photographers to take portrait and action photos. Young picture takers at games will be guided by experienced photographers in order to learn how to take the best shot.
Sony is also donating cameras to the AYSO this season.
“We are going to shoot at games,” Augspurger said. “Parents will be able to download photos for free.”
There will also be an art exhibit at the event of the season featuring the season’s best pictures. The photographer with the most outstanding picture will win a Sony camera.
Augspurger said people have really rallied together to make sure AYSO builds on its 30 years of history in Malibu.
“What we are trying to do is create engaging opportunities for the kids to succeed,” he said.