TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Virginia Youth Soccer Association created this recreational newsletter, Foot Notes, to support and provide resources for recreational players, coaches, families, and member clubs throughout the year If any members have ideas on how to improve the content shared in this newsletter, please contact Chloe Erazo at Chloe@vysa com
Read all about available resources for coaches, information on player health and safety, member club highlights, printable activities for players and more!
THE FALL RECREATION SEASON
IS COMING TO AN END
FALL 2024 RECREATION SEASON
As teams have reached the end of the fall soccer season, it’s a great time to reflect on an amazing season. Players and coaches have worked hard and played with great energy and teamwork. Let’s take a moment to celebrate how far the teams have come and how much fun was had!
Each edition of Foot Notes will highlight stories shared by VYSA Member Clubs and promote upcoming recreational events.
Feature a Story
VYSA Recreational Member Clubs are encouraged to submit event and information notices to VYSA for FREE to be featured in each issue of Foot Notes
For more information contact Chloe Erazo at Chloe@vysa.com
US SOCCER SAFESPORT
QUICK GUIDE
What is SafeSport
Safesport is a comprehensive program of policies and processes through education and training to help participants detect and report abuse, respond to it, and prevent future occurrences
Required By:
Congress and the U S Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)
Who Completes It:
Participants who come in contact with a minor (Club staff & ALL coaches)
Frequency: Completed annually
How To Report a Concern
To make a report, either fill and submit the form below, or call the US Soccer Integrity Hotline at (312) 528-7004 to leave a voicemail Please provide as much detail in your report as possible, including contact information, should you wish to be contacted concerning your report. U.S. Soccer does not retaliate and does not tolerate retaliation against any individual who makes a report in good faith. Please see below for more information. CLICK HERE TO REPORT A CONCERN
Information on Safesport for parents can be found at the US Soccer Safeguarding Hub as well as the VYSA website for more detail on what Safesport is and how to report a concern
US SOCCER SAFEGUARDING HUB
COACHES CORNER
How do you become an effective recreation coach?
Coaching young soccer players can be quite challenging. Teams often have a diverse group, with kids from different nationalities, economic backgrounds, and skill levels. Uniting them as a team while supporting each player’s individual growth can feel overwhelming. Understanding and following these basic principles will help set coaches well on their way to making sure the players enjoy this wonderful game.
Build relationships: Take the time to get to know the players and their parents and communicate regularly. Build rapport by chatting with parents before or after games, and by sending a welcome email before the first practice. While players may forget specific drills or exercises, they will remember how coaches made them feel. Focus on making personal connections.
Create a positive environment: Use positive language, both in your words and body language, and avoid focusing on mistakes. Encourage players to try their best and praise them for their effort. Use a sense of humor, but avoid sarcasm.
Set goals: Involve the team in setting goals for the season and celebrate accomplishments. Ask the players what they want from you and how you can best support them.
Have Fun: It’s a game! When players enjoy themselves, they're more likely to return. Make sure to show them that you're having fun too!
Foster teamwork: Organize team-building activities to help players bond and encourage them to support each other.
Plan carefully: Plan engaging practices that are fun, and regularly review them for improvement.
End with a game: Determine how long the players can maintain their focus and energy, and conclude practices with a game.
Be confident: Understand the rules, be prepared, and know the players' names.
Be fair and consistent: Be fair and consistent while coaching.
Be a good person: Be fair, conscientious, empathetic, and have good intentions.
by Gordon Miller VYSA Technical Director
COACH FOR COMMUNITY
Coach for Community (C4C) provides coaching education resources for grassroots coaches and is intended to help increase player participation and retain players and coaches. The objective is to share best practices for player development in games and training sessions and share member benefits for the host organization.
The Virginia Youth Soccer Association C4C course is a FREE 2 hour program in the course material of your choosing. You can select the 4v4, 7v7 to 9v9, or 11v11 format. The course will have a one-hour classroom portion and one hour field session.
At the conclusion of a Coach for Community event, each person that attended will receive a $25 voucher to use when registering for an In-Person Grassroots course of their choosing.
If your club would be interested in hosting this FREE educational opportunity to your recreation coaching staff, please complete our host a course form!
UPCOMING COACHING COURSES
January 6 - June 21, 2025
US Soccer B Course
MORE
February 14, 2025
7v7 hosted by Chesapeake United
Contact Chesapeake United to register
February 15, 2025
9v9 hosted by Chesapeake United Contact Chesapeake United to register
February 15, 2025
11v11 hosted by Chesapeake United Contact Chesapeake United to register
May 26 - July 21, 2025
US Soccer D Course hosted by Chesapeake United
Contact Chesapeake United to register
Spring 2025
US Soccer C Course
Fall 2025
US Soccer B Course
Fall 2025
US Soccer C Course
COACHING COURSES
LEARN
Player Health & Safety Tips
Virginia Youth Soccer Association provides members with a wide array of player safety resources to ensure young athletes are prepared for injuries and stay healthy on and off the field. The Player Health & Safety section of Foot Notes will feature important articles on various topics such as injury prevention, concussion awareness, proper nutrition and more.
ANKLE INJURY
Ankle sprain, the most common injury for soccer players, is an injury to the ligaments of the ankle. Ligaments connect bones and provide stability for the body’s joints. The ligaments on the outside of the ankle are injured when the foot rolls inward. Ankle sprains can occur when a player is running, cutting, kicking, tackling or being tackled, or landing from a jump. Another common ankle injury among soccer players is "Footballer’s ankle," caused when bone spurs form on the front part of the player’s ankle on both the shin bone and ankle bone Doctors believe the repetitive motion of kicking the ball causes the bone spurs to develop If footballer’s ankle is suspected, the player should see a foot and ankle specialist for an evaluation Confirming the injury usually requires medical imaging and it may require surgery to correct and relieve the symptoms.
U.S. Soccer’s Recognize to Recover program provides guidance on treating and recovering from ankle injury.
RECOGNIZE
Symptoms of an ankle sprain include:
Pain, especially while walking
Swelling
Bruising
recover
Initial treatment for an ankle sprain is RICE therapy:
REST – keep off the injured ankle
ICE – apply ice to the area for twenty minutes every hour; place a towel between the skin and ice, to prevent burns
COMPRESSION – use a wrap to stabilize the injury; start at the toes and wrap up the leg past the ankle
ELEVATION – raise the leg to help with swelling and pain; when elevating an injured ankle, remember "toes above the nose"
Other treatments may include:
Using over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen
Using a functional brace to support the ankle for 5-7 days maximum
Following an initial 4-5 days of RICE therapy, players may start physical therapy based on their physician’s recommendation. Physical therapy can include an active range of motion exercises, weight bearing training and retraining the muscles and body.
All athletes should see a medical professional for further evaluation following an ankle sprain to determine the true extent of the injury and establish a proper physical therapy timeline.
Audi Field Named as a Host Stadium for the Historic FIFA Club World Cup 2025™
Audi Field has been named by FIFA as one of the 12 stadiums in the United States that will host matches for the historic FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ when the 32 best clubs in the world play for the only official title of FIFA Club World Champions. Additional information about fixtures and tickets will be provided at a later date.
The tournament kicks off on Sunday, June 15, 2025, with all roads leading to the MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on Sunday, July 13, 2025, where the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ will be played, just over a year before the venue stages the FIFA World Cup 26™ final.
Fans are encouraged to visit FIFA.com/tickets now to register for FIFA Club World Cup 2025 ticket and hospitality information.
TICKET INFORMATION
GOLFTOURNAMENT
The VA-DC Soccer Hall of Fame Golf Tournament started in 2015 and has taken place at various golf clubs in northern Virginia. This year, it was held at Pleasant Valley Golf Club in Chantilly, VA, on a rainy September 26, 2024. A total of 18 teams (69 players) competed for the Founder’s Cup Trophy. Team Coll (Brian Coll, Rob Dutrow, Mike Dunning and Greg Williams) won the Founder’s Cup. Team Gonzalez (Sang Chae Choi, Frank O’Rourke, Selden Vandernot, Rudy Gonzalez) won the Senior Division.
The tournament not only helps fund the ongoing expenses of the VA-DC Soccer Hall of Fame, but also raised $3,000 for the Virginia TOPSoccer program, which provides community-based training and team placement for young athletes with disabilities.
The tournament included a day of golf, breakfast, and an awards luncheon. It is also an annual event where friends can reunite and have a fun day away from the office and the normal daily routine.
Thank you to all who participated and volunteered this year! We invite everyone to join next September!
VA-DCSOCCERHALLOFFAMEMEMBERS, BRUCEMURRAYANDKEITHTABATZNIK
VATOPSOCCERCHAIRMAN,JOHN SCHLENKER,ANDTHEWAGSTEAM
WAGSVOLUNTEERSOFFERED GREATSUPPORTATTHEEVENT BYHELPINGWITHTHEAUCTION, KEEPINGTHEGOLFERS HYDRATED,ANDMORE!
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN GOING TO A
OR MLS GAME?
VYSA members get discounted tickets using the links below!
RECREATIONAL MEMBER CLUBS
Accomack Soccer League
Academie Sportif
Alexandria Soccer Association
All In Elite Soccer Academy
Alleghany Highlands Soccer
Annandale Boys & Girls Club
Appalachian United FC
Appomattox Soccer Association
Arlington Soccer Association
Arya RVA FC
Ashland Youth Soccer
Baystars FC
Beach FC
Blue Ridge United
Braddock Road Youth Club
Burke Athletic Club
Central VA United Soccer Club
Chantilly Youth Association
Charlotte County Youth Soccer
Charlottesville Alliance
Chesapeake Soccer Club
Christiansburg Soccer Club
Churchland Soccer League
Cipriani Accademia FC
Clarke County Soccer League
Clinch River Youth Soccer
Colonial Heights Soccer Association
Culpeper Soccer Association
Danville Soccer League
Dickenson County Soccer
DMV FC
Doradus FC
Dynamo Soccer Club
Fairfax City Academy
Fairfax Police Youth Club FC Amelia
FC Dulles
FC Richmond
FCV Ashburn Soccer Club
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
First Touch Sports (SAA)
Fluvanna Youth Soccer
Forest Youth
Franklin Fire
Fredericksburg FC
Fredericksburg Soccer Club
Front Royal Soccer Association
Giles County Soccer Association
Goochland United Soccer Association
Great Falls-Reston Soccer Club
Grove United
Gunston Soccer
Halifax Soccer Club
Herndon Youth Soccer
Inter Virginia FC
Kings Park West Soccer League
Lake Gaston Soccer Association
Lee-Mt. Vernon Soccer Association
Loudoun Youth Soccer Association
Louisa Area Soccer Association
Lunenburg United FC
Luray Valley Soccer Club
Madison County Youth Sports
McLean Youth Soccer
Mechanicsville United
Montclair FC
New Kent Cosmos
New River United Soccer
Northern Piedmont Sports Club
Northern Virginia Soccer Club
Northern Virginia United Academy
North FC Soccer
Old Dominion Football Club
Old Dominion Soccer Club
Orange Co. Recreation Association
Orange Soccer Association
Piedmont Youth Soccer League
Players Soccer Academy
Powhatan Soccer Association
Prince William Soccer Inc.
PW Nova
Rappahannock Soccer Assn
Richmond Kickers
Richmond Strikers Soccer Club
Richmond Strikers South
RVA Soccer Academy
Scottsville Org. for Kids Sports
Seven Rivers FC
Shenandoah County Soccer
Shenandoah Valley United
Shore Soccer League
Smithfield Soccer Club
SOCA
Southern Virginia Soccer Club
Southside Soccer Club
Southwestern Youth Association
Springfield/South County
Stafford Soccer
Steel United
Sterling Youth Soccer Association
Team America FC
Valley United
VBR Stars Soccer Club
Vienna Youth Soccer
VIP United FC
Virginia Beach City FC
Virginia Legacy Soccer Club
Virginia Rush
Virginia Rush Peninsula
Virginia Soccer Association
Virginia Skyline Soccer
Virginia Valor FC
Virginia Velocity
Virginia Wildfire
Wise County Youth Soccer
Witness FC
Woodbridge Soccer Club
MAZE & GAMES
