February 2024 Leadership Report

LEADERSHIP REPORT

IMPORTANT DATES

3/20/24 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

3/26/24 - 4/4/24 - VYSA ODP INTERNATIONAL TRIP TO PORTUGAL

4/6/24 - THE STATE CUP AND PRESIDENTS CUP BEGINS

4/26, 4/27, & 4/28 - THE STATE CUP AND PRESIDENTS CUP QUARTER FINALS

6/22/24 - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

WHAT’S NEW

RECENTLY APPROVED BOARD MOTIONS

The 2024-2025 registration fees for players, coaches (team officials) will remain the same as 2023-2024. View member fee structure HERE.

The VYSA 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on June 22, 2024 in the northern Virginia area

The VYSA Board has approved the 2024 Board meeting schedule

RECREATION AND TRAVELPLAYER PAYMENTS

As a reminder clubs can start uploading and registering their NEW players for this spring season Invoicing will begin April 3rd for travel and April 10th for Rec.

Travel players please have them rostered and submitted for approval at least 3-5 days before their first game

Recreational players must be uploaded and Directly Registered through VYSA to have full registration for the season.

For questions contact Kristen Osteen at Kristen@vysa com

PRESIDENT’S AWARD PRESIDENT BILL PHILLIPS AND ANNE THOMPSON

PRESIDENT BILL PHILLIPS AND PAT DELANY

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

For the very first time VYSA recognized individuals with The President’s Award This award recognized individuals who have supported the members of Virginia Youth Soccer with significant service to the game.

Pat Delaney was recognized for his 17 years of service as the Chairman of the State Referee Committee

Anne Thompson was recognized for her 31 years of service as the Chair of the Cup Committee.

Denise Edwards was recognized for her 21 years as the President of VYSA

Thank you for your outstanding leadership and significant service to the sport of soccer in Virginia

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

It was a pleasure to see so many of the member clubs on Sunday February 18th at the VYSA Workshops and AGM. The members of the Board of Directors were especially pleased to see so many clubs engaged in the Strategic Planning session. Hearing the ideas being shared by the VYSA membership and engaged discussion was very encouraging

The Virginia Youth Soccer Association has engaged The Collective Global to assist in this planning process Thus far, the Collective staff has met with the Board of Directors for several hours, met with the state office staff several times (including a day and a half off-site meeting), interviewed nearly two dozen leaders from Clubs throughout the state and met with the membership in person for over two hours on February 18th.

The Strategic Planning process will continue this spring The timeline is still evolving, but will include: Meetings with the VYSA members throughout Virginia in April and May.

Discussion of how to grow the game.

Discussion of the VSYA Bylaws and how to improve the governance model in Virginia Update the membership about the US Soccer Strategic Pillars and how Virginians can help ensure the success of the five (5) pillars, their core philosophies and their accelerated initiatives. (Read about the US Soccer Strategic Vision HERE.)

June 22nd VYSA AGM

Consider the final work of the Strategic Planning effort.

Final version of the VYSA Mission, Vision and Values

Identify, support, and plan the programs, events and services that support the VYSA membership

In person presentations by members of the US Soccer staff about their efforts to improve the youth/amateur soccer ecosystem.

Consider new Bylaws and Governance Model

Vote of members of the Board of Directors

I fully expect the next four (4) months to include a significant exchange of ideas to help us all create the best environment for youth soccer in Virginia. The change is long overdue and your feedback during this process has been and will continue to be critical

Thank you for all you do for the game!

Bill Phillips

HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2024

The VA-DC Hall of Fame Inducted six members into the Hall of Fame at the Awards Gala on February 18th.

Congratulations to all of the Hall of Fame Class of 2024 inductees!

GALA DINNER HALL OF FAME ATTENDEES

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GOVERNING BODY UPDATES

US SOCCER UPDATES

US Soccer is making significant progress on it’s Strategic Vision View the US Soccer Strategic Pillars, Core Philosophies, and Accelerated Initiatives HERE.

US Soccer awards awards $3 million in funding to benefit member organizations through 2024 innovate to grow initiative Read more HERE. US Soccer has asked for and received feedback from many involved in the youth soccer community in the United States. The US Soccer senior leadership (led by President Cindy Cone and CEO JT Batson) and their staff are evaluating ideas on a reimagined youth soccer ecosystem Over the next several months this thorough evaluation will continue and the VYSA membership should expect changes in the next 12-18 months that will improve the youth soccer environment.

The next Vice President of US Soccer was determined at the recently held National Council Meeting in Dallas, Texas Meet Nathan Goldberg HERE.

USYS UPDATES

US Youth Soccer (USYS) has unveiled their Strategic Plan Check it out by clicking HERE. Bill Phillips and Don Rawson represented VYSA at the USYS Soccer workshops in Anaheim, California on January 10-13th.

The most significant action item for the 2024-2025 seasonal year is expected to be changes to the National Championship Series events, especially to the Regional level competition More details to follow, as decisions are expected in the next 30 to 45 days

Dr. Pete Zopfi resigned, effective January 15th, to focus on his candidacy to become Vice President of US Soccer. Todd Lockhart is the new Vice President of US Youth Soccer

VYSA UPDATES

VYSA has enlisted the services of The Collective to assist the state association in a strategic planning initiative.

The VYSA Board of Directors, staff, and membership engaged with The Collective on February 18th If you are interested in being involved in the process, please contact Don Rawson at Don@vysa.com.

VYSA has set the date of Annual General Meeting for June 22, 2024. Time and Place will be determined in the next 30 days The AGM will be held in the Northern Virginia area VYSA Partners with Get on the Bus program and earns US Soccer ITG grant. Read more HERE.

VIRGINIA ODP FRIENDLIES

The Virginia ODP Friendlies took place in Williamsburg, VA on February 23rd - 25th.

VYSA ODP was joined by Maryland Youth Soccer, New Jersey Youth Soccer, West Virginia Youth Soccer, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, and North Carolina Youth Soccer.

Thank you to all of the ODP players, coaches, referees, and families for making the Virginia ODP Friendlies so fantastic!

ODP INTERNATIONAL TRIP

72 ODP players will be traveling to Portugal from March 26th to April 4th

Four teams, 2010 Boys, 2009 Boys, 2010 Girls, and 2008 Girls, will visit Lisbon and Braga to compete against international teams.

Accompanying the trip will be VYSA staff, the ODP goalkeeping coach, an athletic trainer, and Sports Psychologist, Dr Dan Freigang.

MEETING WORKSHOPS

VYSA members were interviewed by Cory Finney and Jordan LaRocca, from the Collective Global, for strategic planning. They spent over 6 hours with the board, staff, and members. Looking forward to continued engagement.

Thank you to Dan Pullen, from Players Health, for leading a great risk management session

Jill Hartley and Kyle Cantrell from GotSport held a few GotSport overview sessions. GotSport is pleased to come to your area for a 1 on 1 session. Contact Kristen Osteen at Kristen@vysa.com or Jill Hartley at jill@gotsport.com for GotSport related questions or to set up a one-on-one inperson or zoom meeting with a GotSport representative

COACHING EDUCATION

Member Clubs and Leagues are encouraged to host an in-person grassroots course If you have 13-15 student applicants then your club is the perfect candidate for hosting a course

The 2024 National C License that begins this March and the 2024 National B License that begins next September have filled Both courses have a waiting list

If you are interested in registering for future 2025 VYSA hosted National License courses, please contact Jessica Cottet at Jessica@vysa.com.

COACHING FOR COMMUNITY

VYSA has announced a new, free coaching course supporting the recreational coach! The Coach For Community (C4C) is a FREE two-hour course that is designed to help prepare entry level coaches with practical and theoretical knowledge. This course is conducted by a qualified US Soccer/VYSA Coach Educator and can be requested by VYSA member clubs at the U6, U8, U10 and/or U12 levels

The First hour is classroom presentations that consist of player characteristics, age-appropriate games, running a practice, role of the coach, and tips to survive. The second hour is field/gym demonstration Age specific players will participate in an organized practice session

For questions contact Jessica at jessica@vysa.com today!

For the spring 2024 season we will be offering 11U's for both boys and girls at The State Cup & Presidents Cup level for the first time With all 12U, 13U, & 14U there will be a new game format of Top 16 Tournament Group Play.

A live draw was held on February 18th in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Games will kick off on April 6, 2024

View Selected Teams

The VA DC HOF Golf Tournament will take place on Thursday September 26, 2024 at the Pleasant Valley Golf Club in Chantilly, Virginia.

online by September 13, 2024!

IMPORTANT NOTICE

GOTSPORT TRAINING AVAILABLE TO CLUB AND LEAGUE REGISTRARS

GotSport is the association's official technology partner Club and league registrars are encouraged to visit the VYSA website for resources on navigating the GotSport registration platform

Several GOTSport representatives held workshops in Fredericksburg, va on February 18th to assist registrars with both group discussions as well as 1 on 1 time with members who need additional training.

Contact Kristen Osteen at Kristen@vysa com for GotSport related questions or to set up a one-on-one inperson or zoom meeting with a GotSport representative.

Registrar Resources

Onboarding Website

STATE OFFICE OPERATIONS

4805 Lassen Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22408

LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD EQUIPMENT DRIVE

VYSA partnered with Leveling the Playing Field for a used sports equipment drive on February 10th! Leveling the Playing Field said this was one of their most successful soccer cleat events ever!

With the help of Lawson Watt (ODP 2008 Boys) cleats, shin guards, goalie gloves, soccer balls, and more, were donated to help over 500 kids!

Executive Director

DON RAWSON Don@vysa.com

Director, Finance and Administration

ROBERT CAREY Robert@vysa.com

JESSICA COTTET Jessica@vysa.com

Director, Technical Department Operations

KRISTEN OSTEEN Kristen@vysa.com

Manager of Member Services

DEVIN BEST Devin@vysa.com

Assistant Manager of Facilities

Technical Director

GORDON MILLER Vysatd@vysa.com

THOMAS TRUSLOW Thomas@vysa.com

Senior Manager of Finance and Administration

FREE

Director, Events

RAY FORD Ray@vysa.com

DAVID COFFEY David@vysa.com

Senior Manager of Facility Operations

Manager of Marketing and Communications

CHLOE ERAZO Chloe@vysa.com

US Soccer approved VYSA for a three-year extension of the 'Women in Coaching' Innovate to Grow Grant to further support female coaches in Virginia and the District of Columbia This grant supports female coaches seeking to further their education with US Soccer Grassroots Coaching Courses and Licensures The grant allows VYSA to support all women registered for any US Soccer coaching course as well as those coaches registered for all-female courses.

In 2023, nearly 150 female coaches have enrolled in a US Soccer coaching course through VYSA supported by the US Soccer ITG Grant.

For clubs interested in hosting coaching courses, please contact Jessica@vysa.com to get started