The graph to the right was the centre of studies for a long time.
Why? Well, here are the facts:
1- The club's average annual registration increased only by 5% from 1975 to 1986. . . During these
years, the club has always been the smallest,
then the second smallest club among 16 towns - clubs. At the same time, 1975-86, the town
attracted many industries from nearby major
cities and population increased by 250%.
Note the ratio between the large population
increase and the modest soccer registration
increase.
2- from 1987 to 1992 the average annual
population increase was 4%; yet, the soccer
registration' average annual increase was 56%.
3- This steady peakoccurred while the town is
losing many industries including the major
ones such as Hallmark, Engelhard Refinery,
Sterling Drugs, AGM parts plant and others;
and population increase dropped dead.
At the same time, the big cities closer to Toronto became almost twice Aurora' population, yet their 1500 membership in 1985 became around 1200 in 1992. No logic at all when one compares population growth to drop in membership.
Any explanation other than the success of well-planned hard work at promotion would be less than fair.
Achieving the highest youth soccer club registration per capita in Ontario then 2 years later in Canada speaks for itself clearly and loudly.
Certainly the officials at Sports Canada, the Ministry, the provincial soccer body and the regional parks and recreational management reports and letters seemed to think so!
When I first joined the club as a vice president and rep teams convener in 1982, I intended to change its image and format.. However, negative "or lazy" attitudes got in the way. I heard every wise cool-headed excuse why it can't be done.
It wasn't until 1986 when I became the club president that I was able to do what I was eager to achieve. Later, everyone realized we should have done it sooner. Mind you, I doubt anyone was willing or able to afford the time and energy I put into the club daily with a serious business attitude to achieve such record. Oh yes, I would not hesitate or shy away from boasting about the AYSC case. With the right approach, good committees were formed and an effective structure and administrative system secured success. By the way, in 1987 I authored a 256 page book on club administration. The manual outlined the club procedures in every operation, competitions, administration, finances .. etc. Every department is covered with specific
forms, procedures, schedules, timetables, guidelines, regulations etc. Even such issues as player assessment and team balancing are covered with specific dates, forms and procedures.
Being a bachelor with a passion for football and my own free evenings, the club was my baby, my challenge and my home. Years of efforts often past midnight daily were invested into it. The fruit was more than rewarding.
A decade has been devoted to youth soccer and I regret not a day of it.
I served as a head coach & coach instructor;
as a head referee and referee assessor/instructor,
as Rep teams convener;
as an inter-town district league chairman;
as a registrar;
as discipline & protests chair;
as magazine editor;
as a treasurer,
Then as a president.
At the end, I was unanimously voted Aurora YSC's first Honorary Life Member in front of 750 adult members who attended the 1992 AGM..
The AYSC story has more to it than the personal pride or bragging .. a proof that quality and success demand efforts by people who would not hesitate to go for the "changes".
