STEP 1 - Review the AAU Soccer Handbook

Review the AAU Soccer Handbook for information on the AAU and the soccer program. The AAU follows USYSA rules of play. A current copy of the AAU Soccer Handbook can be downloaded here.

STEP 2 - AAU Club Membership

To sanction a tournament or league through the AAU, you must first become an AAU club. Club Membership is necessary to apply to sanction an AAU tournament or league; however, it is optional for teams participating in AAU tournaments. AAU Clubs will receive AAU mailings, event notifications, voting rights in AAU elections and club practice insurance. As a club you will also receive a Membership Certificate.

To become a club, please visit our web site at www.aausports.org for up-to-date information on becoming an AAU Club.

STEP 3 - AAU Sanction Application Form

To apply to sanction a tournament or league, complete the AAU SANCTION APPLICATION. Sanction fees vary depending on the length of your tournament. Remember, you will need to be an AAU Club to sanction an event.

All participants in AAU sanctioned events must be individual members of the AAU. As the club sanctioning the event, it is YOUR responsibility to verify that each athlete and non-athlete (volunteers, tournament directors, bench personnel, others) is a current AAU member.

STEP 4 - Request for Certificate of Liability Insurance

If the facility or venue requests a certificate of liability insurance, complete the REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF LIABILITY INSURANCE FORM. This form only needs to be filed with your Local Association if it is requested by the facility or third party. Once you file this form with your Local Association, they will then forward your request to the National Office for processing.

STEP 5 - Individual Athlete/Non-Athlete Membership

To participate in an AAU sanctioned event, each athlete and non-athlete (volunteers, tournament directors, bench personnel, others) must be members of the AAU. Please visit our JOIN NOW section for up to date info on AAU Membership. The membership year is from September 1through August 31. Membership must be renewed each year to be valid.

AAU membership provides each member with accident insurance (which is secondary and comes into force after any primary coverage) for all properly sanctioned AAU events. AAU membership also provides each member with similar coverage during supervised practices of member clubs. For specific details on insurance coverage, please refer to the current insurance brochure.

• Register on-line at the AAU web page. You can instantly become members by paying with a credit card.

STEP 7 - Contact Others for Help

Don't forget to contact the AAU National Headquarters with dates and information on your tournament. The AAU can help you distribute information to teams, post information on the AAU web site, develop entry forms, etc. You may want to review the Factors to Consider When Conducting a Soccer Tournament in the AAU Soccer HandbookAs your tournament approaches, make sure you have contacted officials and other event staff you will need to help you run the tournament.

STEP 8 - Order AAU Medals and Awards

As a benefit of sanctioning your tournament through the AAU, you can order AAU medals and ribbons. To order awards, you must submit to the AAU National Headquarters:

(1) Awards Application
(2) Tournament Flyer
(3) Signed Copy of the Approved Sanction
(4) Appropriate Fees.

Championship Medals are available for association and regional championships (includes 1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal). Multi-Purpose Medals are available for invitational, league, open, or preliminary events. Ribbons are available for first through eighth place, plus merit. Orders must be received at the AAU National Headquarters at least 30 days prior to the event. Orders received less than 30 days prior to the event will be assessed a late fee.

For complete information on AAU Awards, please refer to the AWARDS section of this website.

Step 9 - Incident Report Form

In case of any incidents during your event, make sure you have copies of the INCIDENT REPORT FORM at the tournament. This form should be completed and submitted to the address on the form immediately after an incident. This holds true whether the person involved is a participant or spectator, or whether or not you feel the incident will result in a claim. Please follow all the directions on the form.

STEP 10 - THE TOURNAMENT

You have done all the planning and the teams are registered.

STEP 11 - After the Tournament

Send tournament results to local newspapers and to the AAU National Headquarters. The AAU will post results on our web page. Copies of enter forms should also be submitted to the AAU National Headquarters.

Start planning for your next AAU event!