Minnesota Youth Soccer Is Working For You!

Minnesota Youth Soccer Association WORKING FOR YOU!

By Matthew Madeira | MYSA Executive Director – Integrator

We are Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA). We are a nonprofit organization. We promote the game of soccer for all youth in Minnesota. We promote the importance of education, self-esteem, diversity and teamwork. We promote and teach soccer in a safe, fun environment, allowing players to develop to their fullest potential in soccer and in life.

Minnesota Youth Soccer works with more than 120 soccer clubs that offer many opportunities for the youth to play the game of soccer across the entire state of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Each member club is set up as an individual corporation with bylaws and policies that meet the guidelines and model of the state governing body. These clubs have a direct link into shaping the present and future of MYSA through their voting rights and involvement with multiple committees designed to give all members a voice in the organization.

As the governing body for all of youth soccer in the state of Minnesota, we are responsible for the tournament sanctioning process. The organization sanctions 40–50 youth soccer tournaments each year. These tournaments must meet guidelines of operation to receive approval and liability insurance coverage.

Many MYSA member clubs offer summer and/or fall grassroots programing. Grassroots soccer is best suited for players interested in playing in their local communities. Minnesota Youth Soccer offers grassroots-program-specific assistance for the support, development and enhancement of these in-house programs. While each grassroots (or in-house) program may look different, they all must adhere to specific guidelines that promote equity and development. No tryouts are permitted for a grassroots program and clubs are encouraged to form balanced teams that create a welcoming and fun environment for the players.

For players interested in playing in a traveling league and competing with players outside of their community, Minnesota Youth Soccer runs a statewide competitive league. These leagues have multiple playing levels (listed from least to most competitive): Gold, Maroon, Classic 3, Classic 2, Classic 1 and Premier. The summer league offers 9U–19U age groups, while in the fall, a 9U–14U age group league is offered. Each of these seasons culminates with a state tournament that determines champions at each age group and level. Coinciding with our spring/ summer league is our Minnesota State Cup and Presidents Cup tournaments which qualify teams for the US Youth Soccer Regional and National competitions.

As a pathway to greater levels of competition, member teams of Minnesota Youth Soccer may qualify for Regional and National Premier play through the US Youth Soccer National League and Midwest Regional Conference. This stratus of play offers the highest levels of competition, including the opportunity to match talent with other states from the Midwest.

The Outreach Program for Soccer (TOPSoccer) is a community-based program that is designed to meet the needs of athletes ages eight and older with physical and/or developmental disabilities. The program is geared towards player development and athletes are placed on teams according to ability, not by age. Any athlete with a disability, including but not limited to: A.D.D., Autism, Hearing Impaired, Sight Impaired, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Cystic Fibrosis, Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Seizure Disorder and Spinal Bifida is eligible and encouraged to participate in TOPSoccer. Games are held on Sunday afternoons and we at MYSA are always looking for athletes and volunteers to help grow this marvelous program.

For players looking for additional training and development, MYSA facilitates the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP). Every year, more than 1,000 youth soccer players participate in District Select or State Select ODP throughout Minnesota. The ODP is the primary pipeline to youth regional and national teams. Minnesota Youth Soccer also offers player clinics and camps, coaching clinics and courses, parent education sessions, various tournaments and festivals, and much more.

Minnesota Youth Soccer firmly believes that coach and parent education programs have a lasting impression on youth members and go a long way towards creating and shaping an environment where youth players can reach their maximum potential. Parents and Coaches Together (PACT) is an educational program developed by the University of Notre Dame’s Center for Ethical Education and Development, in association with the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association. It is designed to help coaches and parents be on the same page in successfully creating a positive and motivating climate in Minnesota. The two-hour seminars are free of cost to coaches and family members of registered players.

Coach education is paramount in terms of equipping players with the proper technical and tactical knowledge to develop and excel in the game. Minnesota Youth Soccer offers a wide range of coaching courses designed to provide coaches with the latest in coaching methodology, as well as fun exercises to keep players engaged and motivated. Ranging from youth modules designed for parents volunteering as coaches in the grassroots program, to U.S. Soccer-certified courses designed for elite coaches, MYSA offers all that is necessary for coaches to create a culture of excellence and build an environment in which youth can flourish.

Youth soccer players and coaches in Minnesota automatically become members of MYSA by registering with an MYSA member club. As a member of MYSA, they also automatically become a member of US Youth Soccer (national service organization) and the U.S. Soccer Federation (national governing organization).

Each member of MYSA pays a basic registration fee of $7.00 per year. This basic registration cost covers specific membership benefits listed below.

$2.96 – 43% Player/Coach Medical Insurance

$1.18 – 17% Administration

$1.00 – 14% US Youth Soccer Membership

$1.00 – 14% U.S. Soccer Membership $

0.86 – 12% Soccer Times

$7.00 – 100% TOTAL

Minnesota Youth Soccer is committed to doing everything it can to keep the cost of youth soccer down and believes it is important for all its members to be aware of where their money is going. Every year, MYSA continues to review and improve its current programs and services. If you have questions, I can be reached at 612-790- 1926 or mattmadeira@mnyouthsoccer.org.

Thank you for giving all of us at Minnesota Youth Soccer the opportunity to serve you and your children.