Easton AYSO Scores with Parents; Improvements Planned

The Easton American Youth Soccer Organization, the town’s largest soccer organization, recently conducted a survey with parents to measure their satisfaction with the program. 

“There are more and more options out there these days for kids to play soccer," Regional Commissioner Scott Robins said. "We wanted to make sure parents were happy with the program and see if there were any areas we could improve.” 

Parents of current and past players were surveyed prior to the start of the spring season. Overall, parent satisfaction was quite high, with 88 percent saying they were “extremely” or “very” satisfied with the program.

“We were thrilled to see such high scores,” said Robins. “Not only do we have strong community support, but the reasons parents love the program are the foundations of our organization. Comments like ‘everyone plays,’ ‘positive and low stress environment’ and ‘sense of community’ are all things that make us different from other programs. “

Despite the glowing reviews, Robins says the club will continue to improve its offerings. 

“One area which we had already started but will continue to build is greater coach support with professional trainers,” said Steve Lichtman, AYSO coach coordinator.  “We have an amazing and dedicated team of volunteer coaches in Easton, but we have found it beneficial to bring in the pros at team practices to improve player skills and offer coaches new ideas on drills and game tactics.” 

The group also plans to offer more mini-clinics and to continue the winter training program it started this past season. In addition, at least one fall and spring round-robin tournament is planned, giving more playing opportunities to players. 

“When you look at the value we deliver relative to other programs, you really can’t beat AYSO,” said Robins.

Robins, a Fairfield resident, had been searching for a soccer program for his young daughter when he came across Easton AYSO. 

“I coached my daughter’s first team and we both had such a positive experience,” he said, adding he enjoyed it so much so that now he is running the program. The program is also attracting more players from Fairfield and other towns as well.  “The fact that parents feel as strongly about the program as I do reinforces what all of us at AYSO are doing. We are all about kids learning the game and having fun doing it."

Registration for Easton AYSO spring season is now open at www.easyso.org. Additional program information can be found at www.eastonayso.org.