March 2024 Leadership Report

LEADERSHIP REPORT

IMPORTANT DATES

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

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

4/24/24 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, STATE OFFICE IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA

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

5/11 & 5/12 - THE STATE CUP AND PRESIDENTS CUP SEMI FINALS & FINALS

6/22/24 - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IN ALEXANDRIA VA

WHAT’S NEW RECREATION AND TRAVEL PLAYER PAYMENTS

MOTIONS RECENTLY APPROVED BY THE VYSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A motion to approve four new member clubs.

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 Alexandria, VA. Approved the 2024 Board meeting schedule. View HERE.

Brad Powell was approved as a member of the Board of Directors “I’m excited to bring my skill set and passion for youth sports to VYSA” -Brad Powell

REMEMBERING KIP GERMAIN AND KEN KRIEGER

It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Kip Germain and Ken Krieger. Both Kip and Ken were members of the VADC Soccer Hall of Fame and integral figures in the Virginia and DC soccer communities

Kip dedicated himself to coaching many different youth and adult soccer teams and played a key role in developing Annandale Boys and Girls Club. To pay tribute or view obituary click HERE.

Clubs can start uploading and registering new players and coaches for this spring season. Invoicing will begin April 3rd for travel players/coaches and April 10th for Recreation players

Travel players and all coaches should be rostered and submitted for approval at least 3-5 days before their first game.

Recreational players and coaches must be uploaded and Directly Registered through VYSA to have full registration for the season. For questions contact Kristen Osteen at Kristen@vysa com

Ken served on the VYSA ODP and US Youth Soccer Region I ODP staffs. He also served as the Technical Director of Player & Coach Development at Prince William Soccer, Inc. and with McLean Youth Soccer To pay tribute or view obituary click HERE.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Families of Kip Germain and Ken Krieger during this time.

STRATEGIC PLANNING - CREATING THE FUTURE OF SOCCER

Reality is- “organizational changes”, which are typically an outcome of a Strategic Planning, are not easy for many people to process. The longer an organization has “always done it that way” or “this is the way it’s always been”, the more likely there are people to resist change and/or find new pathways harder to embrace Control, power and money are also key factors that can determine the degree that new ideas and philosophies are embraced. Those same factors can keep us from being objective, looking at the bigger picture and forging solutions that are objectively best for an organization and its members

For anyone who has been involved in Strategic Planning, you already know it is not easy. No matter how the process unfolds, it is necessary for those directly involved to commit to offering ideas as well as listen to the ideas and plans of others While often very challenging, the process can also be uplifting, exciting, and invigorating to those participating. In the end, the purpose must be to create a vision with a pathway that can help ensure an organization best serves its members.

The way VYSA is currently structured is a result of decades of people who gave tirelessly for “The Good of the Game”. Many leaders made countless decisions to create programs, events, and services to benefit the participants of youth soccer. As current leaders, we are forever grateful for the service and contributions of those who came before us Let’s honor those people by continuing the evolutionary process of finding the very best solutions to create the very best environment possible in youth soccer. The story of the future of Youth Soccer in Virginia is being written today.

US Soccer, the national governing body for soccer in this country, is also embracing an evolutionary process and philosophy right now. One Nation, One Team. The US Soccer staff is engaging people from across the soccer landscape to listen and find ideas that can elevate the youth ecosystem to meet the needs of the game in the future

I am pleased to be a part of a working group as a part of that process. If you have not read about the process related to the US Soccer Strategic Vision, Core Philosophies, Accelerated Initiatives and the Ecosystem Review, please read about it HERE.

My hope is that in the next 6-24 months, many changes in youth soccer will be initiated that have a very positive outcome on the game. I am hopeful and optimistic that the topics below are embraced and become a significant part of the Story of the Future of Youth Soccer in Virginia and throughout the United States

Resources for recreational clubs and their members are more available.

Prioritize the use of technology to improve administrative processes (player registration, background checks, SafeSport, International Clearances, communications, etc.).

Player Development and Player Identification pathways are simplified and made more affordable for all who wish to participate.

Competitive youth soccer is more unified (with fewer pathways) and easier for clubs, families, players, coaches, referees, and everyone involved- with better competition and less travel.

Coaches will have better and less expensive solutions to access education and licensing.

More standards that help create a better playing environment for the participants (especially to support the players and referees).

Club Standards initiated to help raise the awareness and use of Best Practices

Commercial partnerships and sponsorship directly benefit the clubs and families

Additional resources (reduce costs) and increased attention for underserved communities to help grow the sport

Youth Soccer evolves to have fewer national governing bodies

State Associations evolve into more responsive and helpful administrative organizations

If you have thoughts and ideas for improving the game in Virginia and/or beyond, please share those ideas with me don@vysa.com or contact President Bill Phillips at president@vysa.com. Your feedback to help both the VYSA Strategic Planning process and the Ecosystem Review process by US Soccer is welcomed, encouraged and very important

Thank you for your service!

Don Rawson Executive Director

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 awarded $3 million in funding to benefit member organizations through the 2024 Innovate to Grow initiative Read more HERE.

US Soccer has asked for and received feedback from many people involved in the youth soccer community in the United States. The US Socc senior leadership (led by President Cindy Con CEO JT Batson) and their staff are evaluating on a reimagined youth soccer ecosystem Ov next several months this thorough evaluation continue, and the VYSA membership should expect changes in the next 12-18 months that improve the youth soccer environment.

USYS UPDATES

The most significant action item for the 2024 seasonal year is the consideration of changes the National Championship Series events. It is expected that potential changes will be discu with the membership over the next few mont with a decision no later than July

ODP INTERNATIONAL TRIP

The ODP International trip parent/player meeting was held on Sunday, February 17th.

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 coaches, four chaperones, the ODP goalkeeping coach, an athletic trainer, and Sports Psychologist.

Wichita, Kansas held their first ever TOPSoccer event which was very successful Read more HERE. USYS launched a monthly Grassroots Coffee Talk with Sari Rose, to engage state associations, their members, and others involved in grassroots. To register for an upcoming session click HERE. USYS announced that the 2024 Grassroots Symposium will be in Salt Lake City, Utah in September. To register or learn more click HERE.

VYSA UPDATES

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

VYSA has set the date of Annual General Meeting for June 22, 2024. The AGM will be held in Alexandria, VA. Time and Place will be determined in the next 30 days.

VYSA Partners with Get on the Bus program and earns US Soccer ITG grant. Read more HERE. There have been nine C4C courses completed since mid January Eight C4C courses are schedules between now and April 4th VYSA welcomes four new member clubs; Virginia Velocity, Fellowship or Christian Athletes, Witness FC, and Mendigos FC.

US SOCCER GRANT GET ON THE BUS

US Soccer awarded $3 million in funding to benefit member organizations through the 2024 Innovate to Grow Initiative

Get on the Bus is an after-school program for recreational level players that includes tutoring, personal development, free equipment, free transportation, and free participation

Two teams from Woodburn Elementary School will participate in the McLean Rec program this spring through the Get on the Bus program The funds from the grant will cover the costs of transportation, facilities, equipment, league feeds, food, and coaches and teachers.

Click below to read more about the Get on the Bus program

COACHING EDUCATION

Member Clubs and Leagues are encouraged to host an in-person grassroots course If you have 13-15 coaches 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!

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

Onboarding Website

C4C Course hosted by Beach FC

50/50 C LICENSE

VYSA just completed this first ever unique National Coaching course where exactly half of the candidates were female, and the other half were male. In addition to that, of the two Coach Educators, one was female and the other male.

By all indications from the participants, this unique format of learning was a huge success. Due to the generous ITG grant from US Soccer (ear marked to help women coaches in the game) the entire registration fee of every female participant was covered

Paul shaw teaching a C4C course

SAFESPORT COMPLIANCE

All VYSA Member Clubs are REQUIRED to submit a SafeSport Compliance Form to VYSA in accordance with U.S. Soccer Federation mandates and VYSA SafeSport Policy.

Contact Kristen Osteen in Member Services, at Kristen@vysa com, for any questions regarding SafeSport.

VYSA SAFESPORT POLICY

US SOCCER SAFE SOCCER

DOWNLOAD COMPLIANCE FORM

STATE OFFICE OPERATIONS

M-F | 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (540) 693-1430

4805 Lassen Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Executive Director

FREE COACHING COURSES AVAILABLE FOR QUALIFIED FEMALE COACHES

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.

GORDON MILLER Vysatd@vysa.com

DON RAWSON Don@vysa.com Technical Director

Director, Finance and Administration

ROBERT CAREY Robert@vysa.com

Director, Technical Department Operations

JESSICA COTTET Jessica@vysa.com

Manager of Member Services

KRISTEN OSTEEN Kristen@vysa.com

DEVIN BEST Devin@vysa.com

Assistant Manager of Facilities

Senior Manager of Finance and Administration

THOMAS TRUSLOW Thomas@vysa.com

RAY FORD Ray@vysa.com

Director, Events

THE STATE CUP AND PRESIDENTS CUP

Senior Manager of Facility Operations

DAVID COFFEY David@vysa.com

CHLOE ERAZO Chloe@vysa.com

Manager of Marketing and Communications

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

The State Cup Teams