USYF Builds Strong Foundation For Growth With Direct Membership in U.S. Soccer
Youth Soccer News – Youth Futsal Spotlight: United States Youth Futsal (USYF) has been a leader in youth futsal in the USA for decades and now the thriving organization founded by Jon Parry is now a direct member of U.S. Soccer as a National Affiliate.
U.S. SOCCER DEFINES “NATIONAL AFFILIATE” MEANS AN AMATEUR SPORTS ORGANIZATION THAT CONDUCTS SOCCER PROGRAMS IN WHICH PLAYERS COMPETE IN AT LEAST 26 STATES OF THE UNITED STATES.
USYF goal is to expand the fast-paced, 5 a-side-game of futsal across the USA and improve player development by making sure elite players have access to futsal.
“U.S. Youth Futsal is the premier leader in player development for futsal in the United States — and we are futsal specific,” said Parry, Executive Director and founder of USYF. “It was an honor to be accepted as a direct member of U.S. Soccer at their 2019 AGM.”
One of three new members of U.S. Soccer, U.S. Youth Futsal’s application for direct membership was ratified at the AGM along with the addition of Asociacion Nacional Futbol en EU and the United States Association of Blind Athletes. With these three organizations becoming new Members, it brings the total number of U.S. Soccer Member Organizations to 110.
U.S. Soccer’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is U.S. Soccer’s national conference, which includes a meeting of the Board of Directors and the National Council meeting. At the meeting, U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro welcomed all new and existing members and spoke of the U.S. Soccer’s mission to make soccer, in all its forms, a preeminent sport in the United States and to continue the development of soccer at all recreational and competitive levels. These goals align perfectly with the vision of USYF and its effort to grow the game.
One of the benefits of direct membership with U.S. Soccer is the ability to vote in the National Council meeting. Voting on Federation governance provides USYF with a pivotal role in the future of soccer in the USA. In addition to many other benefits, USYF can now apply for Innovate To Grow funds, part of the $3 million fund available to all U.S. Soccer Members to help launch new and innovative programs to stimulate and grow participation.
Cordeiro also announced at the AGM that U.S. Soccer will focus more support on Paralympians, Beach, and Futsal, with a dedicated budget for our country’s Extended National Teams, starting this year at $2 million.
“It has been a long time coming for USYF to become an affiliate member,” said Keith Tozer, Technical Director for USYF and former head coach of the US Men’s National Futsal team. “I believe there has been tremendous growth of the game within the last decade in the USA, and most importantly, there is a huge potential for the sport moving forward for generations to come! Stronger now than ever as a direct member with U.S. Soccer, USYF will continue to play an important role in this growth.”
Tozer is also the Commissioner of the Professional Futsal League (PFL), a FIFA and CONCACAF Futsal Instructor and in 2018, he launched the highly successful podcast series, the World of Futsal.
“Our acceptance as a direct member of U.S. Soccer helps US Youth Futsal leap another hurdle as we grow the game and bring high-quality futsal programming to players across the country,” said Otto Orf, USYF Regional Director and founder of Heart & Sole Futsal Academy and the Futsal Factory. “The objective is to move our game forward, working together and for the benefit of the participants. Our National Affiliation shows that the organization is committed to this goal and why I continue to be a proud USYF staff member.”
U.S. Youth Futsal has 50,000+ player training, and playing the game of futsal in eight regions across the country and kicked off the USYF Academy program last year, training hundreds of players every week to improve their skills and game IQ.
Listing of all U.S. Soccer Members
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