JUNE 2019
It's once again time to register for SYA fall sports! Please visit our website at www.syasports.org to register. 

Babe Ruth Baseball, Little League Baseball and Softball, Cheerleading, Field Hockey, Flag Football, Tackle Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Track (Cross Country) and Volleyball (please see Fall Catalog at the end of newsletter for more detailed information on each sport). 

Summer sports registration may still have openings!
Summer sports include basketball, rugby and track & field.

In addition various SYA sports will offer summer camps and clinics, including volleyball and soccer. Information on these clinics are available on the sport specific websites.

Remember to register early to ensure team placement and avoid late fees. Click here to register now!


Registration for Summer and Fall Sports and Clinics is open now!
New! Flag Football This Fall!


SYA Flag Football – New this year! Flag Football in the FALL!


That’s right, we have joined forces with NFL Flag to bring you Flag Football in the Fall. While Tackle Football is still our priority sport during the Fall season, we are now offering Flag as an option. You can play Tackle, you can play Flag or you can even play both. Playing another sport this season? Sign up for flag and play also, as we will only play on Sundays.


Flag is an exciting program that is fast, fun, competitive and co-ed, for boys and girls. Flag Football is one of the fastest growing sports in Fairfax County!


SYA also offers one of the most respected and successful Tackle Football programs in the region, winning championship after championship. Many of our tackle coaches and administrators also participate in Flag in the spring. They have agreed to help start this program in the fall and we are looking for volunteers.


You don’t need to be a successful football player yourself to be a coach or administrator. You just need to have a passion to help our kids. We have a detailed TOOLKIT that outlines practices, skill sets, game plans, etc. We have it all for you. Sign up today and look for information on our website for a couple planned meetings in June and July!
Spotlight On: Little League
SYA Little League supports both a Baseball program for boys and girls from ages 4-12 (5-12 in the fall) and a Softball program for girls aged 7-16. Over 600 players not only participate in practice and games but have opportunities to participate in league-sponsored events including Opening Day Ceremony, Potomac Nationals SYA Little League Day – with CP/TB games on the field after the PNats play, Home Run Hitting Contest, clinics, and the opportunity to participate in All Star play following the spring season where winners climb the ladder and could eventually play in the Little League World Series. Softball has the equivalent formats to match that of baseball. Our community-based program services the Centreville, Clifton, and a portion of the Fairfax area while not only playing games internal but against top-notch competition from Fairfax, Chantilly, McLean, Great Falls, and Prince William County Girls Softball Little League.

One way to help our community of players out is to volunteer as we are a volunteer organization. Have you ever considered seeing the game from on the field, behind a mask? We have opportunities for adult umpires that include training, equipment, and support. Or jump right in and help take care of fields with our field chiefs.

Fall registration is now open for baseball and softball, so don’t hesitate and sign up today. Practices begin in mid-August with games starting after Labor Day and continuing up through the first weekend of November. We will kick off our fall season with evaluations of players in a camp-like setting to not only help improve skills, but ensure we get players in a position to have the most success (and fun!).
Matdogs Take It To the Mat!
The SYA Matdog Wrestling program continues to grow and wrapped up another fun-filled season in February/March! 

We want to congratulate all 100 Matdogs that wrestled this Winter and their families for the tremendous support. Our kids, whether participating strictly in practices, competing in state and regional competitions, and everywhere in between, always represented SYA well with great effort and attitude. Many Matdogs achieved great success during the season, culminating in league championship and post season tournaments. 

Congratulations to the following championship tournament placewinners:

Northern Virginia Wrestling Federation Championship: Drake Winslow (1st), Chase Congdon (1st), Ben Eignor (1st), Noah Friesen (1st), Brendan Sholders (1st), Robbie Estabrooke (1st), Nathan Lim (2nd), Elijah Friesen (2nd), Max Chen (2nd), Jaiden Blackwell (2nd), Ben Herndon (2nd), Oden Barr (2nd), Ethan Eignor (2nd), Tony Sloboda (2nd), Sean Pena (2nd), Jeremiah Davis (3rd), Ryan Sholders (3rd), Mason Lim (3rd), Huda Johnson (3rd)

Top of the Podium Championships: Jacob Brubaker (1st), Amorin Saldana (1st), Jake Davilla (2nd), Ava Andersen (3rd), Sophia Pena (3rd), Brendan Sholders (4th)

Virginia State Championships: Ben Weader (Top 8), Jacob Brubaker, Brendan Sholders, & Levi Baxter (Top 12)

Middle Atlantic Wrestling Association (MAWA) District Championship: Levi Baxter (1st), Brendan Sholders (1st), Ben Weader (1st), Sean Pena (1st), Nathan Lim (2nd), Jacob Brubaker (2nd), Chase Congdon (3rd), Oden Barr (3rd), Mason Lim (4th), Joel Alvarado (5th)

MAWA Regional Championship: Sean Pena (4th)

Planning for the 2019-2020 season has already begun and we will continue to provide more team building opportunities, pair kids of similar experience/skill, age, and size for tailored instruction in practice, and expand our competition slate to ensure every interested Matdog can compete in tournaments that are right for their stage of development and help to enrich their experience and growth in the sport.  

We hope to continue the program’s recent rapid growth this coming Winter and look forward to meeting many new families in November!
Let's Cheer for Cheerleading!
Our six SYA Extreme Competition Cheer Teams competed at US Finals in Virginia Beach on Sunday, May 5. Winning teams from this event go on to compete virtually against winning teams from other locations across the United States in the Champions Challenge. 

SYA Extreme won FOUR US Finals national titles this weekend:

SYA Extreme Tornado (Mini Level 1)

SYA Extreme Hurricane (Junior Level 2)

SYA Extreme Storm (Senior Level 2)

SYA Extreme Thunder (Senior Level 3)


Our Youth Level 1 team, Lightning, placed 5th and our Junior Level 3 team, Cyclone, placed second, missing the top spot by .4!

On May 22, winners from the Champions Challenge were revealed.  We are so excited to announce that SYA Extreme Thunder was named Division Grand Champion in the Senior Level 3 division and will be awarded Championship Rings. Extreme Tornado (missing first by .59) and Storm placed second (missing first by .23) in the Champions Challenge!

We are so proud of all of our athletes and we thank everyone for a truly amazing season! Evaluations for our 2019-2020 season will be held May 31-June 2. For additional information, please contact our commissioner at xtremecheersya@gmail.com.. 
Have Fun and Do Good:
SYA/CYA Third Annual FrogHair Golf Tournament
Join US!! Whether you are an old pro or new to the game, you’ll have a chance to be a winner at the upcoming FrogHair Golf Tournament presented jointly by SYA and CYA on June 28th at Twin Lakes Golf Course. At this unique format event, a fun twist on the game is presented at each hole, providing both experienced and inexperienced golfers with an opportunity to win a prize. What’s more, all participants will feel like champions as they will help fund SYA and CYA youth sports scholarships, lending a hand up to those young athletes needing financial support to play youth sports.

The event will kick off at 1:00 PM but golfers can come out early to get a little practice first. Once on the course, golfers will experience entertaining twists and turns throughout the event: On hole two, it is irons only, all team members use only irons/wedges for the play of this hole, including putting; on hole 12, the driver is used as a putter.

Golfers can sign up as a single, a twosome or a foursome. At only $99 per person, it is one of the least expensive afternoons of golf in the entire region.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available at the tournament, ranging from $1,500 as a featured sponsor to $400 as a putting contest sponsor. Product donations as well as cash support for the scholarships are also welcome. 

All proceeds of the event will support both CYA and SYA programs . Our joint commitment to the community is no child will be left out based on their inability to pay. We encourage everyone to make a small donation to support this cause. A special "Thank You" page will highlight all of our donors.

Soccer: SYA '05 Girls Win State Cup Title!

The 05’ Cardinals started their State Cup journey on April 27, 2019. The team saw their last
journey in the Final Four cut short in 2017. The 05’ girls are coached by Paul Ellis and assisted by Gary Malebranche.

SYA came into their 1st game ranked 5th in the State Cup bracket and closed out a 1-0 win
against 13th-ranked Mclean. It was a tight match that saw a goal by forward Lilly Villareal with an assist from midfielder Carrie Tulk.

The Quarterfinal match showcased SYA v SOCA 05G Elite. This matchup on May 4 proved to be
a hard fought match that resulted in SYA coming out on top 1-0 with a lone goal from forward Brianna Lawrence. With this win, SYA secured their place for return to the State Cup Final Four.

Going into the Final Four weekend, the girls had been training and working hard. The energy was
palpable and the confidence and desire to make it to the end was evident. Each member of the team
wanted the championship and worked together to achieve their goal.

The semi-final game saw SYA facing NVSC. The last time these two faced off, SYA came away
with the 1-0 win. The girls knew that NVSC was going to come out strong and want redemption. SYA started out with some nerves and NVSC took advantage with a goal at the 10 minute mark. The girls were not going down without a fight. The next 20 minutes were back and forth and SYA then tied it up 30 minutes in with a corner kick, from Mia Smith to Brianna Lawrence. This was all the fuel SYA needed and went into the 2nd half with momentum. SYA saw their winning goal with 10 left in the second half on a throw in from Leila Lajdel to Sam James. That goal clinched the trip to the finals.

The finals on Sunday May 19th proved to be the hottest match of the year, both in temperature
and competition. In the previous two match-ups with Beach FC, the results were split, with one win
going to each club. Beach started in quick, right after the whistle. They were taking shots on goal and keeping the SYA keeper Sophie Larkin busy. Beach found the back of the net on a break away at the 18:12 mark and SYA found themselves facing an uphill battle. The end of the 1st saw Beach holding the lead, but SYA kept fighting. Sam James was fouled on a break away in the box that led to a PK goal by Bri Lawrence at 20:03 in the 2nd. At the end of regulation the match was tied 1-1, and the game went into OT. Overtime was two 10 minutes halves that must be played, no sudden death. SYA found themselves
with the ball on a breakaway pass from Leila Lajdel to Sam James to take the 2-1 lead. SYA would hold on for the remaining 10 minute overtime half and come away 2019 05 State Cup Champions!
Fall Sports Catalog
Please visit our website at www.syasports.org to register and for more detailed information.


BABE RUTH BASEBALL

Offered for players ages 13-18, divided into two age groups, 13-15 and 16-18. If there are enough 13's for 2 teams then a 13-only league will be formed. Fall is a teaching league for the players moving up to the 90' field. Tryouts will be held in August and games begin in late August and go through November 4th. Ages for play are based on the Spring 2019 playing year. Games are played twice a week, with one weeknight game and one weekend game. Note: Registration for Babe Ruth only will open on June 2.

LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL

Offered for players ages 5-12. The fall season is considered primarily a developmental program on all levels as it is the beginning of a new baseball year - 2020. The focus is on development as many players move up a level from the past spring season. Practices will begin around August 10 with games starting after Labor Day. The season will end by early November.

LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL

Provides a fast pitch softball program for girls ages 7-16. Girls aged 5-6 can sign up to play TeeBall and Coach Pitch under Little League Baseball, then transition to softball at age 7. The mission of SYA Little League Softball is to make the softball experience as meaningful and enjoyable as possible for everyone who participates. The fall softball season is a less competitive season than the spring, focusing more on developing and improving the skills of the players. Practices will begin around August 10th with games starting after Labor Day. The season will end by early November.

CHEERLEADING

SYA Cheerleading is open to boys and girls ages 5-18. Team placements will be made in mid-August. No experience is necessary. Teams will cheer for SYA football teams from September through November. Weekly practices begin in August. Cheerleaders will be taught cheers, chants, and dances. Cheer also introduces cheerleaders to basic stunting and tumbling skills. We also offer a Competition Cheer program which is a year-round competitive cheer program. Evaluations for the Competitive Cheer program for the 2019-2020 season will take place May 31st - June 2nd. The schedule can be found on the SYA Cheerleading website.

FIELD HOCKEY

SYA field hockey will be held on Monday evenings from 6-8pm and is open to boys and girls in rising grades 2 through 8. Players will be grouped by age and ability. The program will run for seven Mondays, beginning September 9th and ending October 28th (there will be no session on Monday, October 14th). The program will consist of both skills training and scrimmages. We may participate in 1-2 additional scrimmages on Sunday evenings. The registration will be capped at 75 players so please register NOW.

FLAG FOOTBALL

Welcome to a Brand New Season of Flag Football! SYA is now not only offering Flag Football in the fall, but we have teamed up with NFL Flag to give you the greatest experience possible in one of the fastest growing sports around! We've also established the program so that you can play both SYA Tackle and SYA Flag, just SYA Tackle, or just SYA Flag. Our games will take place on Sundays with one practice during the week. We are limiting this first season to boys and girls ages 6-12, and will have limited spots, so sign up early!

TACKLE FOOTBALL

SYA Tackle Football is open to boys and girls ages 7-16. The SYA football program participates in the Fairfax County Youth Football League (FCYFL) and fields teams in the various weight classes from Anklebiter through 155 pounds. Teams are divided up by a combination of age, weight and experience.

LACROSSE CLINIC

The fall lacrosse clinics are held on six Sunday afternoons in September and October and are designed for boys and girls new to lacrosse (novice or first year players) as well as those looking to work on their skills. No prior experience is necessary. Boys and Girls equipment can also be rented. The basics of the game are taught in clinic style format based on age groups with scrimmages the last few weeks of the clinic. This is a great opportunity to try out the "fastest game on two fee" without committing to an entire season.

SOCCER

SYA soccer is open to players of all skill levels, ages 3 to 19. Practices are held once or twice a week, depending on the age group. Games are played on Saturdays. Practices will begin mid August and the first games will be held on September 7th. See you on the pitch!!!

TRACK & FIELD (CROSS COUNTRY)

Open to boys and girls in grades PreK-12 (based on the fall 2019 school year). Practices will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the first practice starting on August 13th. Races are held over supervised trails and off road courses. Bring water and wear comfortable running shoes. We welcome parent participation!

VOLLEYBALL

Did you know that Volleyball consistently ranks in the top 10 most popular sports in the world? SYA has offered volleyball as a recreational sport for over 17 years. In the fall we also run a travel league for more competitive athletes. If you are in grades 4 through 8 during the 2019-2020 school year come out and see why volleyball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
Fairfax County Athletic Council News

SYA is fortunate to have two Board members that have been appointed to the FCAC. Gary Flather is the Sully District Representative and Jeff Stein is the Town of Clifton Representative. They provide the SYA Board of Directors and through this newsletter, our membership with recent activities of the Council. This Council is open to the public and SYA encourages all members who are interested to attend. . Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month.

The Fairfax County Sports Tourism Task force group reported that a consultant is being sought after to continue their efforts. The group should be meeting again this summer and we should have more information then.

Please visit the NCS web page on Fairfax County’s website for more information!

Patriot Park North (new diamond development near Willow Springs Elementary currently referred to as LLV) – plans are currently in place to begin construction at the end of 2019. Currently there are two 60’ lit diamonds and one 90’ unlit diamond. The completed park with have two 60’ lit TURF diamonds and four 90’ lit TURF diamonds. This will be the first multi 90’ diamond complex in the area.

F.A.S.T – this acronym stands for Fairfax Athletes Stand Together. It is a program designed to help Fairfax County citizens in need with donations of food and essential items and one that SYA participates in regularly. To date, SYA has collected several THOUSAND pounds of food and essential items that are distributed amongst the many shelters throughout Fairfax County. Look to our website for our next event.

Fairfax County has an award program every year to recognize players, parents and coaches. The program is called the Champions of Character Awards. Deadline for nominations is August 1, 2019. Anyone can nominate a player, coach or parent for consideration of a Champions of Character Award. Simply complete the nomination form by clicking the link and mail to the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services at 12011 Government Center Parkway, 10th floor, Fairfax, VA 22035-1115

SYA HAS A NEW WEBSITE FOR OUR SPORTS PARK – VISIT US AND DONATE TO HELP!

The Sports Park is vibrant and active with thousands of children playing on one of our five fields nearly every day. The SYA Sports Park is owned and operated by you: the member!. We have 110 acres of property with 5 ball fields already in place. We have two 60’ diamond fields, three full size rectangular fields, a covered pavilion, picnic area, a cross country trail and a fitness trail. If you have not had the opportunity to play on one of the fields, please come out and visit our fields. Visit our website for more information.

COMMUNITY CORNER:

SYA 2019 Food Drives
SYA has held two community food drives in 2019 with more planned for the fall season. Basketball collected 681 pounds of food donations that was delivered to the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter. Another drive was held by SYA Baseball/Softball on May 18th where 151 pounds of food was collected for the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry. Much thanks to all families who donated. Stay tuned on the SYA website for additional food drives scheduled for the fall season.

SYA Community Service hours for High Schoolers
Are you a high school student who needs community service hours? If so, please contact the SYA office at admin@syayouthsports.org for possible opportunities! Please visit us for more information at www.syasports.org.

Life Lessons From the Playing Field
Jim Thompson (@JimThompson18) is the Founder and CEO of Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), a non-profit organization founded at Stanford University with the mission of helping to transform the culture of youth sports to give all young athletes the opportunity for a positive, character-building experience.

In this article, Jim shares his 10 Life Lessons from the Playing Field that he has derived from his experience as a coach, parent and youth sports organization leader. These lessons can help all involved in youth and high school sports keep it a positive, character-building experience for kids. With a little reflection, you also can see how these lessons apply to other areas of life, such as family and career. Concepts such as looking at the big picture, permitting mistakes, and creating a team culture that fosters fair play all can contribute to success in sports and throughout all our lives.

Life Lessons From the Playing Field
By Jim Thompson, Founder and CEO, Positive Coaching Alliance
(1) The "Little Picture" of the immediate success or failure of our children's performance in youth sports obscures the vitally important "Big Picture" of the lessons they will learn from sports that will serve them throughout their lives.
(2) Leadership is the release of energy, not telling people what to do. The best coaches get the most out of their players by getting them excited about how good they could be.
(3) It's crucial to get the mental model right! The prevailing "win-at-all-cost" model needs to be banished in favor of the Double Goal Coach who wants to win and use sports to teach life lessons.
(4) Culture determines behavior. Although we like to see ourselves as independent actors, people are pack animals. We tend to conform to the expectations of the "teams" we want to be a part of. It is essential to be explicit about norms for behavior in your sports program.
(5) Fearing mistakes is worse that making them. It needs to be okay for kids to make mistakes in sports to unlock the potential for truly inspired performance.
(6) People with full "Emotional Tanks" can surprise even themselves. So fill them!
(7) Effort and enjoyment are entwined. There is no better place than sports to teach kids that hard work is fun.
(8) Is there trickle-up potential for youth sports? Can kids learn lessons in sports that will make them more ethical adults? Yes.
(9) Kids love to talk about sports so much they'll even talk to their parents about it!
(10) The game is short--enjoy the game. Your child's experience with sports will end abruptly and when it does, you will wish you had not been so obsessed with how well your child did. You'll wish you had fretted less and enjoyed it more.