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Kids Zone isn't a new
thing. AYSO created the program in 2000 and it has found its way into
approximately 400 of the organization's 1,000 regions. In the future, the
program could prove valuable to youth sports organizations beyond the
world of soccer.
Stories of fights,
screaming matches and aggression at youth sports events are told more and
more often these days. Most have heard about Massachusetts hockey dad
Thomas Junta. Two years ago, Junta and another father, Michael Costin,
were involved in an altercation after their sons' game. Costin died from
his injuries and Junta was charged with involuntary manslaughter, tried
and convicted, and sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
It would be easy to
think AYSO is not a part of this trend toward violence, but it is. One
such incident occurred at a tournament last summer in Southern California.
After a hotly-contested game, just as the players were about to shake
hands, groups of parents from both teams rushed the field and began to
fight. The authorities were called, several parents were arrested and
several others were injured. At another AYSO tournament this year, a
disgruntled parent actually hid in the parking lot and accosted a referee
after a game.
These incidents
emphasize the need for programs like Kids Zone, especially because Kids
Zone has already proven itself a successful deterrent to violence. Some
Kids Zone regions have reported entire tournaments ending without a single
incident. One area director reported that parents on the sidelines of a
game used Kids Zone buttons to calm a parent who was angrily yelling at
his child and the referee. They simply pinned their own Kids Zone buttons
on his shirt until, 12 buttons later, he finally realized he was acting
out. He later apologized to the referee, coach and his child for his
behavior.
The Kids Zone format
is exactly what the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) recommends. CPI has
been teaching the principles of Nonviolent Crisis Prevention for more than
20 years. Judith Schubert, executive director of CPI, said individuals
need boundaries. If they know exactly what is expected of them, they are
more likely to comply.
Kids Zone sets clear
boundaries for spectators and coaches: Children come first; fun is more
important than victory; fans only cheer and only coaches coach; no one
yells in anger, swears or smokes; and referees deserve respect.
Schubert also said
asking spectators to commit to abiding by Kids Zone rules is also a good
way to prevent violence and other irrational behavior. Parents sign a
contract that they will act appropriately or leave the playing area.
AYSO and Kids Zone
sponsor Capri Sun encourage every AYSO region, section and area to beome a
Kids Zone. For more information on Kids Zone, call the National Training
& Support Center at 1-800-USA-AYSO.
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