Youth Soccer Month 2008
US Youth Soccer has designated September “Youth Soccer Month” again for 2008. In past years, Indiana Youth Soccer has worked with local soccer clubs, high schools, colleges and MLS teams to provide a month that highlights the four pillars of youth soccer: fun, fitness, friends and family. We want to make September 2008 the biggest and best Youth Soccer Month yet!
If you club is planning a Youth Soccer Month event, please let us know. Past events have included club picnics, soccer registrations, street soccer events and community proclamations declaring September official Youth Soccer Month. For 2008, Indiana Youth Soccer will enter all clubs who participate in Youth Soccer Month into a drawing for prizes.
Indiana Youth Soccer is also looking for high school and collegiate partners who would be willing to designate an “Indiana Youth Soccer” night at a home soccer match. While it is not required to be part of Youth Soccer Month, any discounts (or free admission) for youth soccer players on the night of the game is always appreciated.
In 2007, many participating schools also offered “extra” events to help drive attendance to games such as:
- pre or post game player clinic
- player escort opportunity for starting line-ups
- partnering with a local youth soccer organization to secure a mayoral or county proclamation declaring September 2008 Youth Soccer Month in your city.
Indiana Youth Soccer will feature all Youth Soccer Month events on our website and in the weekly “INtheNET” e-newsletter . They will also be submitted to the official US Youth Soccer Youth Soccer Month website. Please let us know how you, your family and friends will be celebrating in 2008!
If you are interested in hosting a Youth Soccer Month event during September 2008, please contact Shannon Stuart, Director of Communications with Indiana Youth Soccer at shannon@indianayouthsoccer.org .
What is Youth Soccer Month?
Interest in the sport of soccer is at its highest level ever, with more than 19 million children ages five – 19, from Portland, ME to Portland, OR, on city streets and in suburban fields, playing the game. More children are participating in organized soccer than peewee football, youth basketball or Little League Baseball. For these children, soccer is more than a pastime, it is a passion.
Recognizing the impact and importance the sport of soccer plays in the day-to-day lives of America’s families, US Youth Soccer, with 3.2 million members, the nation’s largest youth sports association, is spearheading the third annual Youth Soccer Month - Celebrating Soccer in America, this September. Why is soccer so popular? Because it offers children the opportunity to participate in a healthy lifestyle, be physically active and develop social skills while making new friends.
The Four Pillars of Youth Soccer Month
Throughout Youth Soccer Month, a series of messages will be highlighted to illustrate “Celebrating Soccer in America.” Each week during Youth Soccer Month, a different message will be the focus of communication and programming:
Week One - Fitness: The health and fitness (physical, psychological and social) benefit of playing soccer.
Week Two - Friendship: The relationships and fun generated through playing soccer extend beyond the field.
Week Three - Family: Playing soccer ties families together as schedules, vacation and family time are coordinated.
Week Four - Fun: Whether recreational or competitive in nature, involvement in soccer is easy and affordable.
Celebrating Soccer in America
Additionally, Youth Soccer Month is comprised of a month-long mixture of national and grassroots events designed to raise awareness of the benefits of participating in “The beautiful game.” Youth Soccer Month also highlights the various programs available to children interested in participating in soccer, including the inner city, special needs, recreational and elite soccer programs that have facilitated the growth of the sport at all levels. In fact, the messages of Youth Soccer Month mirror those of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports – communicating the importance of physical activity/fitness and exercise and their link to good health, while also furthering President Bush’s vision of a healthier United States where citizens are physically active every day, value nutrition and avoid risky behaviors.
Goals of Youth Soccer Month
Youth Soccer Month can be implemented for a day, week or the entire month of September 2005. The following objectives of the Celebration may be modified to fit the needs of a specific US Youth Soccer State Association.
- Raise awareness of US Youth Soccer and the benefits of playing the game
- Emphasize soccer as the number one youth participation sport in America and a leading contributor to the healthy lifestyle of millions of American families
- Bring kids and families of all ages and all abilities together for fun, friendship and fitness
- Highlight the various programs available to children interested in participating in soccer, including inner-city, special needs, recreational and elite soccer programs
Who can participate in the Youth Soccer Month Celebration?
Everyone! Although US Youth Soccer conceptualized Youth Soccer Month, we are not claiming the celebration of Youth Soccer Month as our own. We want the entire country to celebrate the sport of soccer throughout the month of September each year. There are too many reasons to count why soccer is such an important and inspirational part of every day lives. US Youth Soccer has claimed September as a time to draw attention to our sport and celebrate it with all who are involved, from players to coaches and referees, to parents and siblings, to teachers and administrators, to spectators and fans…everyone can find a reason to celebrate “The Game for All Kids!”.
How can you participate in the Youth Soccer Month Celebration?
- Contact your Mayor
Send the attached sample letter and proclamation to your Mayor/Governor and have your city/state officially recognize September as Youth Soccer Month.
- Use your media resources
Contact local newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations. Make them aware that September is Youth Soccer Month and convince them that soccer in your state is worthy of a headline. Use the sample press release attached to get you started.
- Reach out to college and professional teams in your community
Celebrate Youth Soccer in your community by supporting your local collegiate and professional teams. Propose a “Youth Soccer Day” at their respective matches and get youth teams to have a fun night attending their matches.
- Work with the schools in your community
Approach Universities and High Schools encouraging them to bring inner-city kids to campus for games and events at the school. Ask college teams to work with your clubs/teams/programs or to visit schools in the area to talk about the benefits of participation.
- Reach out to your community
Distribute flyers and/or display posters in community buildings. Organize mini soccer matches in town squares, city parks and other high-traffic lunch areas. Host a “Youth Soccer Media Day” and invite local newspaper reporters, television personalities and radio celebrities to participate in a round-robin tournament with local pros. Use the Youth Soccer Month logo to draw attention to the nationwide celebration of Youth Soccer in America. Capitalize on the special attention!
- Present special awards
Take this opportunity to create a new award in honor of Youth Soccer Month. Consider a web driven contest for the:
- “Youth Soccer Month Award” judged on talent, sportsmanship, scholastics, or
- “Player of the Week” judged on one of the four pillars of Youth Soccer Month
- Engage your sponsors
If you have partnered with local or national organizations for support, invite them to get involved. Ask them to promote the month by offering special discounts to customers in honor of the month, or perhaps to display or distribute your state association’s informational materials at their retail outlets branded with the Youth Soccer Month logo. Maybe they would be willing to donate product for or participate in an event/tournament.
- Reach out to other organizations
Coordinate with local charities such as hospitals and Special Olympics chapters to discuss ways to collaborate and celebrate! Speak with local chapters of Girl/Boy Scouts about ways to introduce their membership to soccer. Work with theme parks or other entertainment attractions to host free soccer clinics and fun soccer-related activities as part of their recognition of Youth Soccer Month.