VYSA Strategic Plan by chloevysa

STRATEGIC PLAN

2025-2028

IN SERVICE TO SOCCER

Overview of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association Vision, Mission, Values and Strategic Priorities, Goals and Objectives

MEET THE BOARD

The Board of Directors provided the leadership and mentoring throughout the strategic planning process.

OFFICERS

Bill Phillips, President

Anne Thompson, Vice President

Tom Lewis, Treasurer

RECREATIONAL COMMISSIONERS

John Davis, North Commissioner

Corky Webster, North Commissioner

Brad Powell, Central Commissioner

David Glass, West Commissioner

TRAVEL COMMISSIONERS

Richard Smith, NCSL President

Brian Kuk, Club Champions Commissioner

MEET THE STAFF

STATE OFFICE STAFF

Don Rawson, Executive Director

Gordon Miller, Technical Director

Paul Shaw, Assistant Technical Director

Robert Carey, Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer

Jessica Cottet, Director, Technical Department Operations

Ray Ford, Director of Events

David Coffey, Director of Facility Operations

Thomas Truslow, Senior Manager of Finance & Administration

Kristen Osteen, Manager of Member Services

Chloe Sullivan, Manager of Marketing and Communications

Dominique Jones, Assistant Manager of Facility Operations

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

THIS STRATEGIC PLAN OUTLINES THE VISION, MISSION, GOALS, AND STRATEGIES FOR THE VIRGINIA YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION (VYSA) OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PLAN IS TO BE IN SERVICE TO SOCCER AND FOSTER THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCCER IN VIRGINIA- ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY, INCLUSIVITY, AND EXCELLENCE IN THE SPORT.

VISION STATEMENT

To be the leading soccer organization in Virginia, inspiring lifelong participation and fostering the development of players, coaches, referees, member clubs and their communities

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide a safe, healthy, fun, and competitive environment for all participants while promoting physical, social, and emotional development through the sport.

CORE VALUES

INCLUSIVITY: Ensuring soccer is accessible and fun for all children regardless of background or ability

EXCELLENCE: Striving for the highest standards in coaching, player development, safety, and organizational management

INTERGRITY: Promoting fair play, respect, and sportsmanship

COMMUNITY: Building strong relationships with local communities and stakeholders

ENVIROMENTAL ANALYSIS (SWOT)

STRENGTHS: Established network of clubs, experienced coaches, strong community support.

WEAKNESSES: Limited funding, inconsistent coaching standards, lack of facilities, too many national youth soccer organizations.

OPPORTUNITIES: Growing interest in soccer, potential partnerships, technological advancements in registration and communications.

THREATS: Competition from other sports, economic downturns, changing demogr h

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

INCREASE PARTICIPATION

STRENTHEN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

PARTICIPANTS HAVE A SAFE AND HEALTHY PLAYING ENVIRONMENT

ENHANCE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

CREATE A WORLD CLASS ORGANIZATION

INCREASE PARTICIPATION

STRATEGIC GOAL

By 2028, grow the number of registered soccer players in Virginia by 25%.

INCREASE PARTICIPATION

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Implement outreach programs with all elementary schools in partnership with community soccer clubs

Support initiatives that create a respectful sideline behavior and support an appreciation for referees

Reduce VYSA registration fees and increase support for TOPSoccer and Grassroots Programs

Programs focused on opportunities for girls and women

Support Travel Leagues and establish an Integrated Competitive League Competitive events for ALL rec plus and ALL

STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMNENT

STRATEGIC GOAL

In 2028 every elementary school has a connection to a member club and every soccer organization in Virginia is a member of VYSA

STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMNENT

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Help organize and support community meetings & events

Provide support for recreational club festivals

Support and engage with parents and volunteers

Build partnerships with businesses and municipalities

Support area professional teams, U.S. National Teams, and 2026 FIFA World Cup.

PARTICIPATION

IN A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIROMENT

STRATEGIC GOAL

By 2028, >95% of participants report they enjoy playing in a healthy and safe playing environment.

PARTICIPATION IN A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

STRATEGIC

OBJECTIVES

Establish and communicate minimum “Club Standards”

Hire a Grant Writer to support both member clubs and VYSA initiatives

Help source grants to provide financial support for member clubs and community facilities

Source non-fee based financial support to improve the PVSTC facility

Establish a Referee Retention Project

Recruit former competitive players and current ODP players to become referees

STRATEGIC GOAL

By 2028, >85% of players report they are improving their skills and enjoyment of the playing soccer

ENHANCE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Establish and communicate minimum “Club Standards” and “Best Practices”

More qualified and capable instructors for Coaching Education

Coaching Education at no (additional) cost

Additional programs focused on opportunities for women

CREATE & SUSTAIN A WORLD CLASS ORGANIZATION

STRATE GOA

A annual surv VYSA mem reveals a customer sat score fo programs, s and events provided by VYSA.

CREATE & SUSTAIN A WORLD CLASS ORGANIZATION

STRATEGIC

OBJECTIVES

Complete an Internal Governance Review

Align staff functions to ensure a highly effective, forward-thinking and customer-focused culture

The Adult and Youth State Associations become one amateur soccer organization

Strengthen the SRC partnership

Focus on sourcing and supporting commercial t

A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

Vision and Mission

THE VISION

To be the leading soccer organization in Virginia, inspiring lifelong participation and fostering the development of players, coaches and communities.

THE MISSION

To provide a safe, healthy, fun, and competitive environment for youth players while promoting physical, social, and emotional development through the sport.

Strategic Goals

Participants enjoy a Safe and Healthy Playing Environment

Perspectives

CUSTOMER

Focus on organizational services and performance as perceived by the customer

Increase Participation

Strenthen Community Engagement

Enhance Player Development

Create a world Class Organization

GROWTH & LEARNING

Attract, develop and retain players, coaches, referees, and administrators

INTERNAL

Focus on the internal business practices, process & systems

FINANCIAL

Focus on the fiscal health of the organization

INCREASE PARTICIPATION

Initiatives

Strategic Goal

Increase

Participation by 25% by 2028

Implement outreach programs with all schools in partnership with community clubs

Support initiatives that create a respectful sideline behavior and support an appreciation for referees

Every VYSA member established club has a TOPSoccer Program

Reduced VYSA Registration Fees and increased support for Grassroots Programs

Programs focused on opportunities for girls and women

Support Travel leagues and establish an Integrated Competitive League

Competitive Events for all rec plus and All competitive travel teams

Action Plans

C4C Program initiated in all school systems in Virginia by 1-30-26

Develop a relationship with Soccer Parenting in support of member clubs 6-18-25

Identify and register all youth soccer programs not currently registered with VYSA 7-31-26

Every club has a TOPSoccer Program by 7-31-26 All Grassroots Programs in need are identified for financial support by 7-31-26

Continue to support female coaches with the the ITG grant and determine if the grant can be extended by 115-26

New travel and rec plus leagues are created and all leagues in Virginia are members of VYSA by 7-3125

Launch a new event for rec plus and lower-level travel teams by 7-31-25

Provide support for recreational programs in need by 8-1-25

STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Strategic Goal

Initiatives

Action Plans

Every school in Virginia has a connection with a member soccer club & every soccer club in Virginia is a member of VYSA by 2028

C4C Program in all school systems in Virginia

Showcase the Alexandria Soccer Assocation (ASA)

/VYSA Soccer In Schools program to all member clubs

Maximize opportunities to meet in person and virtually with soccer leaders in Virginia

Provide support for parents and volunteers

Build partnerships with businesses and municipalities

Provide support for recreational club festivals

Support area professional soccer clubs, U.S. National Teams, 2025

FIFA Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup

VYSA receives an ITG grant and begins to provide additional assistance in support of the C4C school initiative by 2-15-26

ASA presents an update of this grant to the VSYA membership Bi-Annually (AGM and via enews)

VYSA enters into agreement for Soccer Parenting to provide inperson and virtual support for parents and clubs by 6-18-25

VYSA provides a New Member and Welcome Package for all new member clubs by 7-31-25

Bi-Annual in-person meetings, virtual meetings, monthly enews and surveys to engage with the Virginia soccer community

VYSA solicites feedback from all member clubs and all participants at least twice annually

VYSA engages with The Consortium of State Associations to help source more commercial financial support by 5-18-25

Provide $40,000/Yr. in annual support of recreational festivals and events by 6-18-25

VYSA annually supports a relationship with all Virginia based pro teams, U.S. National Teams and FIFA World Cup events Plan, promote and celebrate the 50th anniversary of VYSA in 2027

PARTICIPATING IN A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Strategic Goal Initiatives

Participants in soccer report they are playing in a healthy and safe playing environment by 2028

Establish programs and services that prioritize health and safety

Source a professional Grant Writer to support member clubs and VYSA initiatives

Help source grants in support of member clubs and community facilities

Non-fee based financial support is utilized to improve the PVSTC facility

Establish a Referee Retention Project

75% of current and alumni ODP players become licensed referees

Coaches are outstanding role models for players and spectators

Action Plans

Soccer Parenting provides inperson and virtual support for parents and clubs by 6-18-25

VYSA established a relationship with the Positive Coaching Alliance by 8-15-25

Begin a relationship with MD Ortho Systems to reduce medical costs by 8-1-25

Create a relationship with Cogeo to help with grant writing by 8-1-25

VYSA provides opportunities for feedback from all member clubs and all participants at least twice annually

Provide support for a model referee retention plan that ensures the best referees continue in the sport by 12/15/25

ODP players receive financial support to become licensed referees by 8-1-25

Evolve an education program related to U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9 by 8-1-25

ENHANCE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Strategic Goal Initiatives

Players provided excellent guidance to encourage improving their skills, understanding and love for the sport by 2028

Establish and communicate “Club Standards” and “Best Practices”

Qualified and capable instructors for Coaching Education sufficient to meet customer demand

Coaching Education at no (additional) cost

Additional programs focused on opportunities for girls and women

Coaches are outstanding role models for players and spectators

VYSA launches an incentive program for players to improve their skills

VYSA launches an incentive program for players to promote development and love for the game

Action Plans

VYSA established a relationship with the Positive Coaching Alliance by 8-15-25

ODP players receive financial support to become licensed referees by 8-1-25

VYSA provides two TD Days each year by 5-1-26

VYSA provides a coaching course for every member club in Virginia by 7-31-26

VYSA creates a Coaches Advisory Group that to engage regularly with clubs about Best Practices and 615-25

Receive an additional ITG grant in support of female coaches by 1-15-26

VYSA establishes a “Dribble, Pass and Shoot Program” that rewards individual player development by 6-15-25

VYSA creates a writing contest (with incentives) to showcase role models in player development by 7-15-25

CREATE AND SUSTAIN A WORLD CLASS ORGANIZATION

Strategic Goal

A survey of the VYSA membership reveals that VYSA is providing outstanding programs, services, events and support of its membership by 2028

Initiatives

VYSA and its member organizations have outstanding Governance

The Virginia Soccer Foundation is created to focus on sourcing and awarding grants Governance and operations of amateur soccer is simplified in Virginia

Strengthen the SRC relationship

VYSA annually obtains two new corporate partners

VYSA evaluates the fee structure annually for all events, programs and services to ensure outstanding value

Action Plans

Revised VYSA Bylaws are approved by the membership on 6-21-25

A “New Member” document is available by 7-31-25

A “Board Orientation” document is created by 8-31-25

VYSA circulates a member survey bi-annually to receive member feedback

A Virginia Soccer Foundation has >$500,000 in funding by 7-31-25

VYSA and the Metropolitan D.C.Virginia Soccer Assocation become one organization by 3-1-26

The SRC office moves to the VYSA State Office and resources are shared by 6-1-26

VYSA becomes a member of the Consortium of State Soccer Associations by 5-18-25

Establish a fee for all VYSA sanctioned tournaments by 5-18-25

The proposed 2026-27 registration fees for players and coaches are communicated to the membership by 10-15-25

VYSA enters into an agreement with BoardEffect to help manage meetings and communications by 5-1-25

VYSA enters into an agreement with Wrike to support staff support staff project management 5-1-25

Receive an additional ITG grant in support of female coaches by 1-15-26

NEXT STEPS

Evaluation and Monitoring

Metrics: Track progress through key performance indicators (KPIs) such as player registration numbers, coaching certifications, facility upgrades, and community engagement activities.

Review: Conduct thorough annual reviews to assess progress and adjust strategies as needed.

Conclusion

This strategic plan provides a roadmap for the Virginia Youth Soccer Association to achieve its vision and mission. By focusing on key goals and implementing effective strategies, the aim is to create a thriving environment for soccer in Virginia.