Integration represents an important step toward a more unified, accessible and State Association-centered youth soccer system.
The New York State West Youth Soccer Association (NYSWYSA) today announced its strong support for the historic decision by US Youth Soccer (USYS) and U.S. Soccer to begin a two-year integration process designed to bring the organizations closer together and strengthen the game at the local and state levels for BOTH grassroots and competitive programming.
USYS State Associations approved the integration at the USYS Annual General Meeting on August 29, marking an important milestone in the evolution of soccer governance in the United States. The integration will begin September 1 and is intended to bring together the national resources and scale of U.S. Soccer with the experience, relationships and community reach of USYS and its State Associations. (U.S. Soccer)
NYSWYSA believes this is an important opportunity to create a more connected soccer system that puts players and families at the center while strengthening the organizations that deliver soccer in communities every day.
“Today represents an important step forward for youth soccer in the United States,” said Hugh Goodridge, President of NYSWYSA. “For more than 50 years, US Youth Soccer and its State Associations have built the foundation for youth soccer in communities across the country. This integration provides an opportunity to build on that foundation, eliminate unnecessary duplication, bring greater resources to the local level and create a clearer and more accessible pathway for players and families.”
A More Unified Future for Youth Soccer
NYSWYSA views the integration as more than an organizational change. It is an opportunity to address longstanding challenges in the youth soccer landscape, including complexity for families, duplication among organizations, inconsistent standards and barriers to participation.
The goal should be a system that:
- Makes soccer easier for families to understand and navigate;
- Expands access and reduces unnecessary barriers and costs;
- Provides consistent national standards while allowing State Associations to address local needs;
- Invests more resources in clubs, leagues, coaches, referees and communities;
- Creates clearer and more connected player development pathways;
- Strengthens accountability and governance throughout the soccer ecosystem; and
- Allows more resources and attention to be focused on growing the game rather than maintaining organizational divisions.
The ultimate objective should be the unification of youth soccer in the United States within the next two to three years under the umbrella and leadership of the State Associations, working in partnership with U.S. Soccer.
“This is not simply about bringing two organizations closer together,” Goodridge said. “The opportunity is much bigger. Over the next two to three years, we should work toward a youth soccer system that is unified under the State Associations, aligned with U.S. Soccer, and focused on one common purpose — providing more opportunities and better experiences for every young person who wants to play the game.”
State Associations at the Center
NYSWYSA strongly supports the recognition that State Associations must play a central role in the future of youth soccer.
State Associations have the local knowledge, relationships and experience necessary to understand the needs of their clubs, leagues, coaches, referees, volunteers, players and families. They are also uniquely positioned to translate national strategies and resources into programs and services that work within their individual communities.
The integration provides an opportunity to strengthen that role while maintaining the benefits of national standards, resources and coordination. This is the first of several integrations to follow.
“Successful youth soccer is ultimately local,” Goodridge said. “Players don’t experience U.S. Soccer or US Youth Soccer as national organizations. They experience soccer through their club, coach, referee, league, State Association and community. The future structure needs to reflect that reality.”
Building on What Already Works
NYSWYSA recognizes that the existing youth soccer system has produced tremendous opportunities for millions of players and has been supported by thousands of dedicated volunteers, coaches, referees and administrators.
The objective of the integration should therefore not be to discard what works, but to build on the strengths of the existing system while addressing the areas where greater alignment can improve the experience for participants.
U.S. Soccer and USYS have identified several potential benefits from greater alignment, including increased investment in local soccer, improved support for coaches and referees, clearer player pathways and a more connected soccer ecosystem. (U.S. Soccer)
NYSWYSA looks forward to working collaboratively with U.S. Soccer, USYS, other State Associations, clubs, leagues and soccer organizations throughout the integration process.
“Our responsibility is to make sure that this change ultimately benefits the players and families we serve,” Goodridge said. “If we keep that principle at the center of every decision, this can become one of the most significant and positive developments in American youth soccer.”
About New York State West Youth Soccer Association
New York State West Youth Soccer Association (NYSWYSA) is the governing youth soccer association serving Western New York. Established in 1982, NYSWYSA serves more than 250 affiliated clubs and leagues and annually registers more than 65,000 players, coaches and volunteers. NYSWYSA provides programs and services supporting player development, coaching education, referee development, risk management, competition and community-based soccer opportunities.