Volunteer Policy
VOLUNTEER DRIVEN
Built by Volunteers. Powered by Families.
The Andover Jr Sports Association (AJSA) is an all-volunteer organization. Our football and cheer programs are possible because coaches, board members, parents, families, and community supporters give their time to create a safe, organized, and positive experience for our athletes.
Volunteer support is especially important on game days. Hosting games in Andover requires reliable coverage for game operations, concessions, announcing, chain gang, cleanup, and other host-site responsibilities.
This policy is intended to explain AJSA’s volunteer expectations clearly, distribute responsibilities fairly, and help preserve Andover’s ability to host home games for our teams and families.
Quick Volunteer Snapshot
Rookie Tackle, Traditional Tackle Football, and Jr Cheer families unless the Volunteer Buyout is selected.
Families whose only AJSA registration is Flag Football are currently exempt. Families with another athlete in Rookie Tackle, Traditional Tackle Football, or Jr Cheer are not exempt.
Home games depend on reliable volunteer coverage and responsible host-site operations.
Families unable to volunteer may select the Volunteer Buyout during registration.
Rookie Tackle and Traditional Tackle Football require a $250 deposit before equipment checkout.
Deposits are tied to completed volunteer responsibilities and timely return of all AJSA-issued football equipment.
WHY VOLUNTEERING MATTERS
Reliable volunteer coverage is one of the most important parts of keeping home games in Andover. When AJSA hosts games, our organization is responsible for providing the people needed to operate the field, support game-day logistics, assist visiting teams, and create a positive experience for athletes and families.
Hosting opportunities are not automatic. AJSA must be able to demonstrate that Andover can reliably staff game-day responsibilities. When volunteer positions go unfilled or families do not report for selected shifts, it affects more than one team or one game.
When AJSA is assigned as a host site, volunteer responsibilities may apply to the full host date, including league games played in Andover when an Andover team is not participating in that specific game.
Lack of reliable volunteer coverage can impact the league’s confidence in Andover as a host site, may affect scheduled host dates during the current season, and may reduce future opportunities for Andover teams to play at home.
Every family that completes its volunteer commitment helps protect home game opportunities, supports the athletes on the field, and reduces the burden on the same small group of families and volunteers who often step in when coverage is short.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
AJSA’s final volunteer requirements are based on the number of host dates and games assigned to Andover by the Mid-State Football League, along with the staffing needs for those dates. Because the league schedule is typically released on or around September 1, AJSA will publish final season volunteer requirements after host-site needs are known.
Volunteer requirements may also be affected by team size, the number of families in each program, and the number of families who select the Volunteer Buyout. AJSA coaches make one of the largest volunteer commitments in the organization, giving significant time to practices, games, communication, certification, preparation, and athlete development throughout the season. Once approved coaches complete all required coaching steps, they receive volunteer-exempt status for the season. The remaining game-day volunteer needs are then shared among the families still responsible for completing volunteer credits.
For planning purposes, families should expect volunteer responsibilities to be tied to Andover-hosted game opportunities and the level of staffing required for their athlete’s program. Traditional Tackle Football families should be prepared for the highest volunteer requirement because Traditional Tackle games require full host-site staffing, including chain gang, announcing, concessions, cleanup, and other game-day coverage.
TRADITIONAL TACKLE FOOTBALL FAMILIES
Traditional Tackle Football families should expect the highest volunteer responsibility during the season unless they select the Volunteer Buyout during registration.
As a planning guide, Traditional Tackle Football families should be prepared to complete multiple volunteer credits during the season, depending on Andover’s host dates, number of games, staffing needs, team size, and buyout selections.
ROOKIE TACKLE FAMILIES
Rookie Tackle families are expected to complete the volunteer requirement assigned for the season unless they select the Volunteer Buyout during registration.
Rookie Tackle games are played on a reduced-size field and do not require the same full host-site staffing structure as Traditional Tackle games. Rookie Tackle games do not typically use a Public Address Announcer or Announcer’s Spotter.
Rookie Tackle volunteer needs are primarily focused on adult Chain Gang coverage and other support needs identified by AJSA. Because Rookie Tackle requires a different level of game-day support, Rookie Tackle families should expect a lower volunteer requirement than Traditional Tackle Football families.
JR CHEER FAMILIES
Jr Cheer families are expected to complete the volunteer requirement assigned for the season unless they select the Volunteer Buyout during registration.
Jr Cheer volunteer needs are generally focused on concessions and other host-site support needs rather than football-specific field roles such as Chain Gang, Public Address Announcer, or Announcer’s Spotter.
Jr Cheer families should expect a lower volunteer requirement than Traditional Tackle Football families, but may be asked to help support hosted game-day operations when coverage is needed.
FLAG FOOTBALL FAMILIES
Families whose only AJSA registration is Flag Football are currently exempt from AJSA volunteer requirements.
Families with another athlete in Rookie Tackle, Traditional Tackle Football, or Jr Cheer are not exempt from volunteer requirements for those programs.
GAME-DAY VOLUNTEER ROLES
When AJSA hosts games in Andover, several game-day roles must be covered to operate the field, support teams and officials, assist families, meet host-site expectations, and maintain a positive experience for athletes, families, and guests.
Typical Minimum Coverage for One Hosted Traditional Tackle Football Game
A typical minimum volunteer coverage plan for one hosted Traditional Tackle Football game includes:
- Public Address Announcer: 1 adult volunteer
- Announcer’s Spotter: 1 adult volunteer
- Chain Gang: 3 adult volunteers
- Concessions Team: 4–5 adult volunteers, depending on game time and host-site needs
- Stadium Cleanup Crew: 5 adult volunteers after the conclusion of the final game of the day
Public Address Announcer
Helps manage the game-day atmosphere by making announcements, sharing key information, and supporting a positive experience for athletes, families, and guests.
Announcer’s Spotter
Assists the announcer by identifying players, plays, down-and-distance information, and other game details so announcements can be accurate and timely.
Chain Gang
Works on the sideline with the down marker and chains. This role is required for tackle games and must be staffed by responsible adults. Children may not substitute for adults or stand with adults on the Chain Gang.
Concessions Team
Supports required concession operations during hosted games. The Mid-State Football League requires host sites to have concessions available and open so water, drinks, and other items are available to families, guests, visiting teams, players, coaches, and officials during hosted game days. Children are not permitted to work in the concession stand for volunteer credit.
Stadium Cleanup Crew
Helps complete end-of-day facility closeout so the stadium is left clean, organized, and ready for continued use. The Stadium Cleanup Crew reports at the conclusion of the final game of the day and begins closeout work as families and teams are exiting the stadium.
Cleanup responsibilities include bleachers, restrooms, press box areas, concessions areas, stadium grounds, trash collection, trash removal to dumpsters, return of trash containers, and other closing tasks assigned by AJSA or the Site Coordinator.
Site Support
Additional support may be needed for check-in, field setup, game transitions, host-site questions, or other needs identified by AJSA during a hosted game day.
VOLUNTEER SIGNUPS AND ASSIGNMENTS
AJSA will use Crossbar to publish volunteer opportunities when signups are opened. Families are responsible for reviewing available opportunities, selecting appropriate shifts, and ensuring their volunteer responsibilities are completed.
SELECTING VOLUNTEER SHIFTS
Families will be given the opportunity to select volunteer shifts through Crossbar when signups are opened by AJSA.
Unless AJSA announces a different deadline, the signup period for a Saturday home game will close on or around Wednesday evening before the scheduled host date.
Volunteer opportunities will include game-day roles such as Chain Gang, concessions, announcing support, cleanup, and other host-site needs required to operate hosted games in Andover.
ASSIGNED COVERAGE WHEN NEEDED
If required volunteer positions remain unfilled after the signup period, AJSA may assign remaining shifts by team or family.
Families are responsible for working the assigned shift. If a family needs an approved adult replacement to work the shift, AJSA must be notified in advance, the replacement adult must be identified, and the volunteer assignment must be updated in Crossbar for proper tracking and credit.
SELECTING AROUND YOUR ATHLETE'S GAME
AJSA wants parents to watch and enjoy their athlete’s game. Families should not select a concessions shift during their own athlete’s game when shifts before or after that game are available.
Families are not expected to miss their athlete’s away game in order to volunteer at an Andover host site. However, families who need volunteer credit may choose an Andover volunteer shift on an away-game day only if the shift does not interfere with watching their athlete play.
Families with multiple AJSA athletes should select shifts carefully. If one athlete is playing away and another athlete is playing in Andover, the family may still have volunteer responsibilities connected to the athlete participating at the Andover host site.
At times, an Andover team may play on a neutral field or at another host site where the host organization requests additional help. AJSA appreciates parents who step in to help when needed; however, volunteer credit is awarded only for AJSA-published or AJSA-assigned volunteer opportunities that are tracked through Crossbar and/or the Field Coordinator’s master volunteer schedule.
Helping at an away game, neutral-site game, or another host site does not count toward AJSA volunteer credit unless AJSA has specifically published or assigned that opportunity for credit.
Chain Gang, Public Address Announcer, and Announcer’s Spotter roles allow parents to help while still watching their athlete’s game from some of the best locations in the stadium.
ADULT VOLUNTEERS, SHIFT TIMING, AND CREDIT
Volunteer requirements must be completed by an approved adult. Children, youth athletes, siblings, or other minors may not complete volunteer shifts for family credit, may not substitute for an adult volunteer, and may not work in the concession stand or on the Chain Gang.
For safety and sideline control, children must remain in the bleachers or other spectator areas unless they are participating as part of an approved team or cheer activity. Only teams, certified USA Football coaches, approved Jr Cheer coaches and cheer squads in assigned areas, officials, approved Chain Gang adults, and authorized AJSA personnel are permitted on the field, track, or team sideline areas during games.
Signing up for or being assigned to a volunteer shift is a commitment. Families who cannot work a selected or assigned shift are responsible for arranging approved adult coverage before the shift begins.
Volunteer shift times are based on the game, role, or work period being covered, not simply the estimated time shown on the schedule. Game times may change due to schedule adjustments, weather, field conditions, game delays, earlier games running long, or other host-site needs.
When a family signs up for a game-day volunteer role, they are committing to work that role for the full assigned game or work period. If the game starts later than expected, runs longer than expected, or the schedule shifts during the day, the volunteer is still responsible for completing the full shift until the assigned game, role, or work period responsibilities are finished and the volunteer is released by AJSA or the site coordinator.
Stadium Cleanup Crew volunteers are responsible for monitoring the game schedule and being ready after the final game concludes. Estimated game times are only estimates, and the cleanup shift begins as soon as the final game and related stadium activity allow cleanup and closeout work to begin.
Substitute coverage is not considered complete unless AJSA has been notified, the replacement adult has been identified, and the shift has been updated in Crossbar so volunteer credit can be tracked correctly.
After completing an assigned volunteer responsibility, volunteers must report to the Field Coordinator so completion can be initialed and recorded on the Field Coordinator’s master volunteer schedule.
Failure to report for a selected or assigned volunteer shift, failure to arrange approved substitute coverage, failure to notify AJSA of a replacement, failure to obtain Field Coordinator completion sign-off, allowing a child or minor to attempt to complete an adult volunteer responsibility, or leaving a shift before responsibilities are completed creates an unresolved volunteer obligation.
AJSA may adjust volunteer assignments, report times, shift times, or role needs based on schedule changes, host-site requirements, weather, game delays, or league adjustments.
VOLUNTEER BUYOUT OPTION
AJSA understands that families have different schedules, commitments, and availability during the season. AJSA does not evaluate or approve individual reasons for not volunteering. Families who do not intend to complete volunteer shifts must select and pay the Volunteer Buyout during registration when that option is available.
Volunteer Buyout amounts vary by program because volunteer needs vary by program. For the 2026 season, the Volunteer Buyout is $200 for Traditional Tackle Football and $75 for Rookie Tackle and Jr Cheer. Families whose only AJSA registration is Flag Football are currently exempt from volunteer requirements and do not need to select a Volunteer Buyout.
Volunteer or Buy Out
Families have two clear options: complete the applicable volunteer requirement or select the Volunteer Buyout during registration.
Families who do not select the Volunteer Buyout are agreeing to complete the applicable volunteer requirement during the season.
What the Buyout Covers
The Volunteer Buyout satisfies the family’s AJSA volunteer requirement for the applicable athlete or program season.
Families who select and pay the Volunteer Buyout during registration are not required to complete volunteer shifts for that athlete’s volunteer requirement.
Choosing not to sign up for volunteer shifts, failing to report for a selected or assigned shift, leaving before the assigned responsibilities are completed, or failing to arrange approved substitute coverage creates an unresolved volunteer obligation.
The Volunteer Buyout applies only to the volunteer requirement. It does not replace fundraising requirements, sponsorship requirements, raffle ticket obligations, equipment return responsibilities, or any other AJSA obligation.
For Rookie Tackle and Traditional Tackle Football athletes, the Volunteer Buyout does not remove the requirement to pay the Football Equipment and Volunteer Responsibility Deposit before equipment checkout, and it does not remove the requirement to return all AJSA-issued football equipment on time.
COACHES AND VOLUNTEER CREDIT
AJSA greatly appreciates the parents and volunteers who step forward to coach. Coaching is one of the most significant volunteer commitments in the organization and requires time, preparation, communication, certification, and leadership throughout the season.
Coach Selection and Approval
Submitting interest in coaching does not automatically make a parent an official coach or satisfy the family’s volunteer requirement.
Coaches must be selected, approved, assigned, and rostered by AJSA before they are considered official coaches for the season.
Required Certifications
Once selected, AJSA will provide direction for coaches to complete the required season certifications.
Football coaches must complete the required USA Football certification for the season.
Traditional Tackle Football Head Coaches and First Assistant Coaches must also maintain current First Aid, CPR, and AED certification.
After a coach has been selected by AJSA, assigned to a team or squad, rostered as an official coach, and completed all required certifications or coaching requirements, the coach’s family will receive volunteer-exempt status for the season.
Coach volunteer-exempt status applies only after all required coaching steps have been completed and confirmed by AJSA.
Coaches who do not complete required certifications, do not remain active in their assigned role, or do not fulfill the responsibilities of the coaching position may not receive volunteer-exempt status until those requirements are resolved.
AJSA may adjust coach volunteer-exempt status as needed based on the coach’s assigned role, certification status, season participation, team needs, or other program requirements.
FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT AND VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITY DEPOSIT
Beginning with the 2026 season, AJSA will require a $250 Football Equipment and Volunteer Responsibility Deposit for Rookie Tackle and Traditional Tackle Football athletes before AJSA-issued football equipment is checked out.
This deposit applies to Rookie Tackle and Traditional Tackle Football athletes only. Flag Football-only athletes and Jr Cheer athletes are not subject to this deposit requirement for the 2026 season.
AJSA-issued football equipment is required for Rookie Tackle and Traditional Tackle Football. Athletes, parents, and guardians may not substitute personal helmets, shoulder pads, or other protective football equipment in place of AJSA-issued equipment.
Families may not alter, modify, customize, accessorize, or remove parts from AJSA-issued football equipment unless specifically authorized by AJSA. This includes, but is not limited to, adding helmet visors, changing facemasks, adding decals, modifying chinstraps, adding backplates to shoulder pads, removing parts, or attaching any other accessories to AJSA-issued equipment.
This deposit is intended to protect AJSA-issued football equipment, support timely equipment return, and help ensure families complete applicable volunteer responsibilities. Football equipment must be returned on time so helmets and other issued items can be inspected, repaired, reconditioned, inventoried, and prepared for future seasons.
The deposit is not collected during registration. It must be paid before AJSA-issued football equipment is released during equipment checkout in late July or early August.
Families who complete the applicable volunteer requirement, or who selected the Volunteer Buyout, return all issued AJSA football equipment on or before the second scheduled equipment check-in date, and have no unresolved equipment or volunteer obligations will be eligible to receive the deposit back as a Crossbar account credit toward future AJSA registration or as a refund under AJSA’s published process.
Families who do not complete the applicable volunteer requirement, miss assigned volunteer responsibilities, fail to return all issued AJSA football equipment on or before the second scheduled equipment check-in date, or have any unresolved equipment or volunteer obligation are not eligible to have the deposit returned or applied as a Crossbar account credit.
The deposit does not limit a family’s responsibility for the full replacement cost of unreturned, lost, damaged, altered, or modified AJSA equipment.
UNRESOLVED VOLUNTEER OR EQUIPMENT OBLIGATIONS
A family has an unresolved volunteer obligation if the family is responsible for volunteering and does not complete the applicable volunteer responsibility or does not satisfy that responsibility by selecting and paying the Volunteer Buyout during registration. An unresolved volunteer obligation may also occur if a family fails to report for a selected or assigned volunteer shift, leaves before assigned responsibilities are completed, fails to arrange approved substitute coverage, fails to obtain Field Coordinator completion sign-off, or allows a child or minor to attempt to complete an adult volunteer responsibility.
Substitute coverage is only considered approved when AJSA has been notified in advance, the replacement adult has been identified, and the volunteer assignment has been updated in Crossbar so proper tracking and credit can be recorded.
Volunteer credit is only considered complete when the assigned responsibility has been completed by an approved adult and recorded through AJSA’s volunteer tracking process, including Crossbar and/or the Field Coordinator’s master volunteer schedule.
For Rookie Tackle and Traditional Tackle Football families, unresolved volunteer or equipment obligations will affect eligibility to have the Football Equipment and Volunteer Responsibility Deposit returned or applied as a Crossbar account credit.
Families who do not complete the applicable volunteer requirement, miss assigned volunteer responsibilities, fail to return all issued AJSA football equipment on or before the second scheduled equipment check-in date, or have any unresolved equipment or volunteer obligation are not eligible to have the deposit returned or applied as a Crossbar account credit.
If AJSA-issued football equipment is not returned, is lost, is damaged, is altered, is modified, or is returned incomplete, the family remains responsible for the full replacement cost of the equipment. The Football Equipment and Volunteer Responsibility Deposit does not limit or replace the family’s responsibility for any additional replacement cost owed to AJSA.
Unresolved volunteer or equipment obligations may also need to be resolved before future AJSA registration, equipment checkout, or uniform distribution is completed.
AJSA’s goal is not to create unnecessary conflict. The purpose of this policy is to protect the program, preserve home game opportunities, ensure equipment is returned on time, and make sure responsibilities are shared fairly among participating AJSA families.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING AJSA
AJSA appreciates the families, coaches, board members, volunteers, and community supporters who give their time to help make Andover Jr Football and Cheer possible.
Every completed volunteer shift helps support our athletes, preserve home game opportunities, maintain a positive host-site experience, and reduce the burden on the same small group of families who often step in when coverage is short.
Families should review this policy, registration instructions, Crossbar volunteer opportunities, and official AJSA communication carefully so volunteer responsibilities, equipment responsibilities, deadlines, and expectations are understood before the season begins.
AJSA Board of Directors