On of the many ways in which AYSO as a National organization affords Regions the opportunity for special recognition of volunteers and players is through the institution of a Regional Hall of Fame.  Beginning with Fall 2009 and under the guidance of the AYSO National's Programs Department, Region 31 announces the creation of it's own Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame was created to recognize the dedication and devotion to the principles and ideals of the American Youth Soccer Organization and to celebrate the visionary guidance and inspired leadership.  On Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Diamond Bar AYSO proudly recognized Tom Faro as it’s first-ever Hall of Fame inductee.

Tom Faro has been an integral part of the Region and has served as a volunteer in nearly every capacity possible for Region 31 in the more than six years that he has devoted to the Program.  In addition to being an Advanced Coach and Advanced Referee, Tom has served on the Regional Board as a divisional commissioner, Spring Coordinator, Assistant Regional Commissioner and Cottontail Tournament Director.  Tom has also served as Region 31’s liaison to Area 1B and was the assistant coach for the Region’s U16 Boys team that participated in the 2008 National Games in Hawaii.

Tom and his wife Inge will be retiring to Florida in December.  On behalf of the thousands of players, parents, volunteers and spectators whose vision of youth sports has been enhanced through Tom’s tireless devotion, Region 31 and the community of Diamond Bar wish the Faros the best of luck and hope they know how many lives they have enriched.

Tom Faro was honored as Region 31‘s inaugural inductee into it’s Hall of Fame on November 10, 2009.  Tom is pictured with his wife Inge, grandson Gunnar Boelman and daughter Ingrid Osborne

Thanks for the Memories

Click here for the YouTube Video Tribute to Tom Faro

Congratulations to Coach Rick Donath, Assistant Coach Brady Schmidt and their U16 Girls for winning not only the Area 1B Fall League Championship but also the AYSO Section One Championship.

The Girls finished with an undefeated Fall 2009 season, staging a 3-2 comeback in the Area 1B Semi Finals over Chino Hills and a convincing  3-0 victory over a second Chino Hills team in the Championship.  Area 1B covers the communities of Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Phillips Ranch, Pomona and South Ontario and includes more than 10,000 players.

At the Section One Playoffs November 21-22nd at Ayala Park the Team faced stiff competition from all over Southern California and Eastern Nevada.  They advanced out of pool play to defeat Upland 1-0 in the Semi Finals and 1-0 over El Monte to become the Section One Champions.

Chino Fall Classic Finalists - U12B/Mike Valdez

Chino Fall Classic Champions - U10B/Jean Ritchie

Pasadena Miles Standish Finalists - U16G/Mike Murangi

Diamond Bar AYSO will host it’s 17th annual Spring soccer tournament the weekend of April 17th & 18th 2010, welcoming 132 teams and more than 2,000 coaches & players to the beautiful City of Diamond Bar.  The 2010 Cottontail Country Classic will utilize some of The City’s panoramic parks as well as WVUSD and PUSD school campuses.  There will be carnival-like vendors and activities at, Paul C Grow Park as well at Maple Hill Elementary, South Pointe and Lorbeer Middle Schools.  The older kids will  split their time between four spectacular sports/soccer fields at Cal Poly Pomona and three newly-renovated fields at Nogales High School.

All teams compete in flights of eight and play in three to five games over the two-day tournament.  Each participant & coach receives a full-color t-shirt and commemorative lapel pin.  All teams advancing to the semi-final & final rounds of play (roughly ½ of all teams) will receive medals.

Diamond Bar AYSO is a local region of the American Youth Soccer Organization.  Established in 1964, AYSO’s mission is to “provide world class youth soccer programs that enrich children’s lives.” AYSO is the oldest such organization in the Country and is founded upon the five basic philosophies that Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching & Good Sportsmanship.  At all levels of this national organization AYSO is 100% volunteer-driven.  Diamond Bar AYSO, Region 31 celebrated it’s 35th Anniversary in 2008, having served the children and families of Diamond Bar and the surrounding communities since 1973.

Registration for the Diamond Bar AYSO’s Fall 2010 season is rapidly approaching.  All children ages 4-18 (as of July 31, 2010) are eligible to participate.  Mark your calendars for any one of the three Open Registration nights: Wednesday, April 28th, Thursday, May 13th and Thursday, May 20th.

All registrations will take place in the Community Center at Pantera Park which is located at 738 N. Pantera Drive, Diamond Bar.  Registrations is held from 6-9pm and must be done in person.  Returning players can be registered by a parent or guardian but players that did not participate in the Fall 2009 season must be present (in tennis shoes) for an on-site evaluation.

The one-time registration fee includes all game/practice fields & equipment, a 3-piece uniform, commemorative pin and full-color yearbook.  For more information, contact Registrar Debby Ferguson.

Move on to Section 1 Tournament - Feb 27th

The E-lemonators, Region 31 Fall League Champion U12 Girls team, won the Area 1B Fall League Tournament of Champions on January 31st and will now advance to the Section 1 Tournament to be held on February 27th in Riverside.

The girls, under head coach Guillermo Hernandez, won the Jeff Hull Memorial Fall Tournament with an overtime victory.  They finished 2nd in Saturday pool play for the Area 1B tournament; advancing to the semi-final against Claremont which they won in shots-from-the-mark.  They faced South Ontario in the finals which was, again, won in shots-from-the-mark, requiring shots from all 9 players before a winner was determined.