MONROE, CT — Girls and boys lace up their cleats, score goals and get exercise on field throughout town every spring and fall. Many participate gain valuable experiences and learn about teamwork, all while building soccer skills in the Monroe branch of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025.
Needless to say, Monroe has a rich soccer history going back through the decades, but it may be even more interesting than most know.
American Youth Soccer began in 1964 with 125 players in California. Today, more than 4 million are registered across the country, including future stars from Monroe making their marks on the pitch. AYSO is the oldest youth soccer organization in the United States.
Bill McLean, an Englishman with a love of soccer, introduced the sport to Monroe, having played the game while in the Royal Air Force. Monroe Region 79 became the first region east of the Rockies when it began in 1975.
It included players from Easton, Trumbull, Newtown and Bridgeport. The Monroe region started with 400 players, before growing to a high of 900.
The program flourished and each town gradually branched off on its own. The Monroe Soccer Club was formed in 1983, as an additional opportunity for children to play the sport.
Equipment and players’ faces have changed throughout the years, but one constant has been AYSO’s principles. This completely volunteer, nonprofit organization follows the six basic philosophies of open registration, balanced teams, good sportsmanship, player development, positive coaching and “everyone plays.”
Like anything, AYSO has had to overcome some obstacles and adjust. Competition with baseball, football, lacrosse and other sports can make the retention of players and coaches difficult, but Monroe’s highly-experienced
Quite a career
Among those who have been a part of the program for much of its history is referee Stan Tait. He joined AYSO in 1980, coaching his 12-year-old son and refereeing when needed.
Tait’s refereeing career started in 1956 when he was in the British Army. He became certified in 1958 as a member of the Scottish Football Association, before emigrating to Canada in 1960, joining the Quebec Referees Association an arm of the Canadian Soccer Association.
In 1979, Tait was named Honorary National Referee prior to his employment transfer to the USA. He joined the Region 79 Board in 2005 as Referee Administrator and was approved as an Instructor in 2007, holding clinics a couple of times a year.
“This program, based on its six philosophies, is a great way for young players to find their way in soccer in a less competitive environment, allowing kids to grow at their own pace,” Tait said.
“We also encourage youth referees in this less competitive environment. A number of our referees now referee in the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association,” he added.
AYSO has a strong commitment to train volunteers with the availability of online courses. The development of premier and travel programs at a younger age and parents willing to pay for professional coaching results in a challenge of getting volunteer coaches, since parents go where their children go, Tait noted.
The Monroe board consists of a large number of volunteers (40 percent), who do not have children in the program.
Monroe AYSO welcomes volunteers and encourages players of a wide range of abilities, from beginner to experienced, to join and get in on the action.
For information or to register, visit ayso79.org to register and for more information.
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Congratulations to Monroe AYSO for 50 years of service to the community. Thank you to all of the volunteers and the countless hours of training to help people understand the beautiful game.
All the best for your future.