Volunteers
The Volunteer
The coaches in Elgin are all volunteers and may most likely they are a parent to one of the players. Many soccer associations are run by volunteers that dedicate not only time, sweat, and money, they also give a lot of their heart and soul to make an environment that is fun, competitive, and educational. Many parents do not understand how much a volunteer coach does for a team. The coach sets up practice schedules, may hold several coaching certificates and national licenses that they spent their own time to get in order to be better at what they do. The coach sets up a line up and when no one lets the coach know that a player cannot make it, they must make last minute adjustments. For any one hour your child spends with them, the coach has already spent that much time thinking about the practice or game and even writing down notes. During practice, the coach also takes the time to work with the kids as much as they can, given the time constraints to which they are limited to in practice. Your child may be only 7 years old but may have a coach that coaches a competitive division 1 team or has had experience coaching at that level. Your coach may be heading to that level soon with your child as well. There are many select teams that are competing with, and many times, beating, coaches that are paid to be there. Keep in mind, a volunteer coach is always learning something every time they are on the soccer field about how they can do their job better, but the pay is always the same, nothing.
The coach is supported by many people that make their job possible, the youth sports board members. These are individuals that you can easily say “If you want something done, give it to the busy person”. The board members have regular jobs and family time and requirements just like any parent does. Many of the board members are also coaches, referees, team moms, team managers, and generally there to support in multiple capacities. They make the time in their own busy schedules to ensure that everyone’s kid has fun and has a safe environment to participate in youth sports. The only time anyone talks about the board in a youth sports is to complain about something. Seldom does some one on the board hear that the 20 plus hours they put in over the summer to make sure the fields were in a playable condition for opening day in the Fall is appreciated. No one say thank you to the person that puts in 40 plus hours to registrar players and verifying ages and trying to get all the kids that want to play somewhere. No one appreciates the time spent getting players trained to be referees and spends time and money to make sure it happens. The board members know they work for the kids and that is the reason why they continue to do their job thanklessly, costing them their own time and money the same as the coaches.
These volunteers know that the child’s safety comes first, and the fun comes second. Someone in there, the board members and coaches are also teaching life lessons to the youth. You don’t always win and if you do win, you respect your opponent for making you work hard to earn the win. These coaches have to go through background checks and several hours of youth sports safety training including concussion protocol and child molestation recognition training on their own time. In the end, when you see one of the volunteers or volunteer coaches out in public, their only reward is to hear a parent or a player say “hello” or “hello coach” and know that they have helped another person in the life lessons of working hard as a team to achieve a cooperative goal.
Thank you to all the hard-working volunteers that make Elgin Youth Soccer successful season after season!
James Sides
President EYSA
Volunteers Needed
EYSA is completely run by volunteers. These people generously devote their time and talents to the association week after week. However, there is always a need for more help!
Requirements
Requirements vary depending on the volunteer opportunity. Volunteers need to be at least 18 years old (the only exception to this is referees). Additionally, a background check is required for all coaches and STSR certification is required for all referees.
Time Commitment
The time commitment for our volunteer opportunities range from about 15 minutes to the whole season. There really is something for everyone.
Coaches
We need coaches every season. Volunteering as a coach can be one of the most rewarding experiences. We have coaches at all experience levels. Whether you are new to soccer or are just looking for some new material, check out our resources for drills and training. Please click here for additional information pertaining to this volunteer opportunity.
Referees
Referees are extremely important to the game of soccer. They are responsible for ensuring the safety of all players and for enforcing the laws of soccer to ensure a fair game. Click here for additional information pertaining to this volunteer opportunity.
Field Day
Each season we host "Field Day" prior to opening day. It is a requirement that each coach and/or a parent from each team participate in this important event. However, additional volunteers are always needed. There are all kinds of tasks that need to be completed during Field Day in order to get the fields ready for the season. These tasks range from mowing the fields to painting them and so much more. The more help we can get for Field Day, the less work there is for everyone. We welcome any help on this day whether it's just an hour or until the work is done. Please click here to find out more information for Field Day.
Field Maintenance
All of our fields must be maintained throughout the season. Field Maintenance volunteers will assist the Field Coordinator with making sure that each field is mowed and painted prior to each game. This can happen any time prior to the game but, it is generally done no more than a day or two before a game. Please click here for additional information related to this volunteer opportunity.
Field Marshals
Field Marshals are intended to be a visible presence on the fields so that all spectators know that the league is observing behavior to ensure that everyone exhibits proper sideline behavior. Field Marshals are not to get directly involved with any issue but, will serve as the "eyes" of the board. If an issue arises, they will contact the board member(s) on duty and the board member(s) will handle the situation. This volunteer opportunity will be extremely important for helping us maintain a positive environment at our fields. Click here to find out additional information pertaining to this important volunteer opportunity.
Tournament
Each season we host an in-house tournament. This tournament usually spans at least 3 days. We need volunteers to help with the various duties involved with running the tournament. Click here to see additional information pertaining to this volunteer opportunity.