| The first date AYSO is
mentioned locally is July 1975 when we became a pilot region. Under the
effort of many people, Dan De Jong was our first recognized Commissioner.
The 5 Cities (Youth Soccer league) as it was first known comprised 2 teams of
5th and 6th graders from Shell Beach, and two teams from Oceano, 59 boys
and girls. Region 83 became chartered as a full region in July 1978.
Growth
In 1980 5-Cities (and Nipomo) had 600 children playing. Through 1985 the
numbers remained around 600-650 and had registration fee of $20 per child.
Going into the 1988 season there were over 1,000 kids in our program.
In 1989-90 Nipomo created its own region,
separating from the 5-Cities region which had grown to nearly 1200 kids.
5-Cities AYSO now has 1640 kids and nearly 170 teams! The 2006 season
proudly marks our 31st year in the community!
Although a lot of folks volunteer a
tremendous amount of time to make each season happen the Regional
Commissioner holds the major burden of planning and operating the league. A
great deal of responsibility is on their shoulders.
Key people
Dieter Heinz a West German 100, 400m relay runner in the 1960 Rome Olympic
Trials was a major influence on soccer locally and within AYSO specifically.
Dieter's daughter was a 2005 season team coach, and Dieter's grandchildren now play in our region!
Tim Banducci a local businessman was
influential through the middle years of our region, and continues to support
the program.
More recently Don Ramsay has been a major
and positive influence on the soccer community locally, presently serving
the kids as our Area Director.
All three men served as Area Director
influencing all Central Coast AYSO Regions.
Of great importance is the positive role
that Milena Denike had on the community and oversight of the greatest period
of growth for our region.
Past Regional
Commissioners
| 1976, 1977 |
Dan Dejong |
| 1978, 1979 |
H. Dieter
Heinz |
| 1980 |
Tim Banducci |
| 1981 |
George
Stewart |
| 1982 |
Tim Banducci |
| 1983, 1984 |
Don Ramsay |
| 1985 |
Will Power |
| 1986 |
Chuck Hurst |
| 1987, 1988 |
Tim Banducci |
| 1989, 1990 |
Milena Denike |
| 1991, 1992 |
Chris Deviny |
| 1993, 1994,
1995 |
Lin Buhlman |
| 1996, 1997 |
Mat Van
Steenwyk |
| 1998 |
Tom Buhlman |
| 1999, 2000,
2001 |
Joe Steed |
| 2002, 2003 |
Ken Claassen |
| 2004*, 2005*,
2006*, 2007** |
Tom Lebens |
*Region 83 recognized as a Platinum Region
(the highest level of recognition) by the AYSO National Support and Training
Center
**Application deadline is October 1, 2007 |
Arroyo
Grande
