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T O P I C     R E V I E W rock761 My husband and I have volunteered over the last four years for ASA Soccer as Coach/Ref & Team Mom for our children's soccer teams. This year has been by far the worst.... Coaches are uninformed, the U-6 and under fields are terrible and this season ASA decided to save some money and instead of giving trophies as in the past, the kids got medals. The older kids were ok, the younger kids not to happy.... I was told that ASA decided to put extra money towards the Tournement Trophies. Only U- 9 and up play in the tournements. So what did my money go for this year? Parental attitudes have been the worst ever. We even had a parent from an opposing team run out on the field point his finger at a little boy on our team screaming he pushed, he pushed....the young boy was in tears, and it had all been accidental. I understand that even coaches attitudes are bad this year and running off the younger refs (this is why U-6 and under don't have refs now). Why can't people just have fun? ASA has finally hired a full time President (from what I understand ASA's paying half of his salary and the city the other). Maybe some positive changes will come from this. dclark My youngest son played in the 9u ASA program. We didn't witness any of the problems you mention, but we did get an email forwarded from the league concerning bad behavior. Since the email, all of our referee's have been adults. This may have been due to it being tournament, or it might have something to do with the problems. I understand that officials are needed, but I question putting kids in control as officials in any sport. We have had several kids umpire baseball and I think you are asking for trouble. I can only imagine that those young soccer referee standing up to a coach or parent. If all we can get are kids, maybe we have a bigger problem and that needs to be addressed. I would hope that the league didn't shortchange the younger leagues so the bigger guys/gals could have nicer trophy's. I think the trophy's mean more to the little guys. Overall, I have been pretty please with the ASA soccer. But then again, I know nothing about soccer and just watching confuses me sometimes. DC AvonMom Our son just completed his 1st year with ASA soccer in the U5 group. While it wasn't the most organized I have seen we still enjoyed it. We didn't see any fights or such and I think the weather played havoc on the fields with alll the rain we got at the beginning of the season. I know alot of people take their kids to Plano but I hate to see that happen if the parents would volunteer for things I think the league would run alot smoother. My husband was Asst coach and I was team mom and we were the only parents that even offered to help. In the U5 league we jsut have parents volunteer to ref and that was like pulling teeth!! AR3years I coach and have two kids in ASA in the older age groups (U14) and our games are in Plano. I have had minimal dealings with the ASA league in U14, but no negatives. ASA set us up in Plano as part of their larger leagues. All the kids have had fun. They have more fields available and play in worse weather than Allen. That helps the game situations. I coached younger teams in Allen in past years and had problems with disorganization and poor communication. Seems better this year. I know that the league volunteers work very hard for the kids. The new, fulltime association president will likely help in all the sports. Several of our players ref Allen games. I prefer teenage refs to most adults because the teens generally know the game and the appropriate level of contact. Younger kids seem to listen well to the kid refs as well. The problem, as pointed out, is when parents or coaches yell at or criticise the younger refs. As a coach, I am harder on the adult refs and do not question the kid refs during the game. Lajennifer How old does the kids have to be before they can start to play soccer? Also, When does the soccer season start up again? I would like to get my son into a team next year here around Allen. I see little kids all the time practicing at Boyd Elem. right by my house. My son keeps saying "when I get bigger I can play too"..Any answers is appreciated! Thanks. starrlac Early registration for the spring season (Feb-Apr) starts today and goes through Dec 16. Kids have to be 4. Kids born July 31,1997 or after are old enough to play this spring. My son played for this first time this fall and enjoyed it. [This message has been edited by starrlac (edited November 20, 2001).] lil-lisav We'll be moving to Allen after our home is built, probably in March. My oldest son was born 6/24/97 so as I understand your email, he's out for the next session. When would the next session begin for soccer? And, where and when could I register him for baseball or t-ball? I see there is not a YMCA in Allen, so how are the young sports organized? dclark Allen Sports Association runs the youth sports programs. There is a link to them on the main page of allenonline. starrlac Oops...I meant kids born July 31, 1997 or before are old enough to play. So your son, lil-lisav, would be old enough. My son was born in January, 1997 and is in the U5 age group, the same that your son would be in. I believe that t-ball begins in March, but the Allen Sports Association web site will have all the information, although it doesn't have the spring registration information yet. The fall soccer season runs from September-November. [This message has been edited by starrlac (edited November 21, 2001).]