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Any questions or comments about this month's SAY News, please reach out to Ally Ferguson / aferguson@saysoccer.org
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MEMBER OF THE MONTH SPOTLIGHT:
Deb Cowan
Kings Soccer Club
Cincinnati, Ohio
For Deb Cowan, what began as a way to get her three young children involved in soccer has grown into more than 26 years of volunteering with Kings Soccer Club and SAY. After her family moved to the area from Texas, Deb signed her children up to play and, a few seasons later, stepped onto the field as a coach. She eventually joined the Kings Soccer Board, where she has now served for 23 years. For nearly two decades, she has also served as Kings Soccer’s Referee Coordinator, helping recruit, train and support the next generation of officials. Today, Deb also serves as SAY North Vice President and organizes the organization’s annual fall tournament.
While Deb has been involved in many aspects of Kings Soccer, her favorite part of her volunteer journey has been working with the referee program. She has had the opportunity to watch young players step into officiating, gain confidence, develop leadership skills and grow into outstanding young adults. Perhaps the most rewarding part has been seeing that impact come full circle: several referees who started with Kings Soccer as teenagers have gone on to college and careers, only to return as adults to continue officiating and mentoring the next generation. For Deb, those relationships and experiences are a reminder that youth soccer can create an impact that lasts long after a player leaves the field.
After more than two decades of service, Deb’s advice to fellow soccer leaders is simple: “Always keep the focus on the kids and invest in your volunteers.” She believes the strongest programs are built by people who feel supported, valued and connected to the mission. Through SAY and Kings Soccer, Deb has built lasting friendships, helped thousands of players enjoy the game and become part of a community she describes as caring and committed. Her story is a wonderful example of how one family’s introduction to youth soccer can grow into a lifetime of giving back.
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Left: Deb Cowan (Second from Left) pictured at an FC Cincinnati Women's event with members of the SAY National Staff and National Board of Directors
Top Right: Deb pictured with players on FC Cincinnati
Bottom Right: Deb with friends in the soccer community of Cincinnati
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Don't Forget!
Register Your Fall 2026 Season with SAY National
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As a reminder, SAY uses a self-reporting model for registration and player fees. This model allows SAY's members to have flexibility in how and when leagues are run, and what works best for the community they serve. Because of the structure of self-reporting, it is important to take a minute to double-check that your league registered and/or reconciled for the upcoming FALL 2026 SEASON.
If you need to submit a registration for any 2026 season, please do so using the form link below.
Updates regarding the transition to PlayMetrics for registration and compliance management at the National level will be provided in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
Any questions on this process can be directed to Ally Ferguson, Member Services Manager:
aferguson@saysoccer.org
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Save The Date for SAY's 60th Anniversary AGM:
Lawrenceburg Event Center.
July 30-31, 2027
More Info Coming Soon!
Mark your calendars! SAY Soccer’s Annual General Meeting is getting a special anniversary celebration this year as we honor 60 years of SAY Soccer! Join us as we celebrate six decades of grassroots soccer, recognize the people and communities who have helped shape SAY along the way, and look ahead to the future of the game we all love. More details, including lodging & registration information, will be coming soon. But, for now, save the date and plan to celebrate 60 years of SAY Soccer with us!
Not sure what the AGM is all about? Take a look at our recap video from this year’s AGM for a glimpse of the fun, connection, recognition and SAY community that make this event so special. From celebrating our members to connecting with fellow SAY leaders, the AGM is a great opportunity to come together and celebrate everything that makes SAY Soccer unique.
We hope to see you there for this very special 60th anniversary celebration!
| | | | | | SAY Membership Spotlight Form Open! | |
We want to celebrate YOU — the people, programs, and stories that make SAY Soccer so special!
From standout volunteers and milestone moments to innovative programs that grow the game — we’d love to hear what’s happening in your SAY community.
Share your photos, videos, and stories using the link below, and you might be featured next!
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Calling All SAY Members:
Submit Your Favorite SAY Moments!
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As we celebrate 60 years of SAY Soccer, we want to hear from YOU—share your favorite SAY moments and memories to be featured in a special anniversary slideshow and/or display at the 2027 AGM!
Send your photos to aferguson@saysoccer.org along with 1–2 sentences telling us who, what, where and when the photo captures.
Whether it’s a championship, a team tradition, a special volunteer moment or simply a favorite day on the field, we want to celebrate the memories that have made SAY what it is today!
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SAY x Challenger:
SHOP FOR FALL IN THE NEW SAY STORE!
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Introducing the brand new online SAY Soccer Store! In partnership with Challenger Teamwear, SAY is excited to bring our members a one-stop-shop for all of your youth soccer equipment needs!
Through this online store, you can shop directly for coach, player, and referee equipment, plus field paint, goals, and much, much more! With affordable pricing and quick shipping and turn around time, we encourage our members to utilize this new resource starting today.
When purchasing soccer gear this season, we encourage you to shop through our official online store whenever possible. Through our vendor partnership, a portion of all purchases is returned to our organization and reinvested into programs and resources for our members.
For more information on the SAY Store, or if you have questions about a custom or bulk order, please reach out to SAY’s dedicated Challenger Teamwear Representative, Ty Hicken, to get started today.
Tyral Hicken
Director of Operations
Challenger Teamwear
585-645-5538
tyhicken@challengerteamwear.com
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SAY x Challenger Sports:
Plan Ahead for Summer with Challenger Sports!
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SAY members, it’s never too early to start planning for summer!
Confirm your summer camp spots with Challenger Sports by October 15 to lock in your special SAY partner rates and have the best opportunity to secure your preferred camp dates.
Challenger offers a variety of programs for different ages and skill levels, including Foundational Skills, Creative Skills and TinyTykes camps. Start planning now and find the perfect camp for your player!
For more information on camp offerings and information, contact our dedicated Challenger Sports representative:
Anthony Riley
Director of Strategic Partnerships and Commercial Sales
Challenger Sports
404-428-6526
ariley@challengersports.com
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Referee Abuse Prevention (RAP) Policy:
A Resource for Your League
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Creating a positive, safe, and respectful environment for everyone involved in the game remains a priority across youth soccer. U.S. Soccer recently updated its Referee Abuse Prevention (RAP) Policy, with revisions taking effect on May 15, 2026. These updates were developed through feedback from referees, administrators, coaches, and members throughout the soccer community.
While every SAY community is unique, we encourage all leagues and districts to review the RAP materials and consider how the policy can be adapted to support your local environment. The policy provides clear guidance on expectations, reporting procedures, and consequences related to referee abuse, helping organizations create a culture of respect and accountability.
A few key takeaways:
- Referee abuse—both physical and non-physical—has no place in our game.
- Stronger sanctions are in place for abusive behavior toward referees.
- Players, coaches, spectators, and administrators are encouraged to report incidents of referee abuse.
- The policy is designed to create a safer, more positive experience for referees and participants at all youth and amateur levels.
- The goal is not to change the way games are officiated, but to establish stronger consequences that discourage abusive behavior and improve the culture surrounding the game.
As many communities continue to recruit and retain referees, fostering a respectful match-day environment is more important than ever. We encourage league administrators, coaches, referees, and board members to review the RAP resources and determine how they can best support these efforts within their local programs.
For additional information and downloadable resources, visit the U.S. Soccer RAP page:
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ADULT SOCCER:
Your Game. Your People. Your League.
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Soccer isn't just for kids! Our adult soccer program is designed for participants over the age of 18 who want to continue enjoying the game in a recreational, fun-focused environment.
Stay active, meet new people, and keep playing the sport you love with SAY's adult leagues.
Play Your Way:
- Play 5v5, 7v7, 9v9, or 11v11
- Men's, womens, and coed leagues
- Set your own rules, field size, and team numbers
- Make it work for your community!
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| ... and before you go, don't forget to follow us on our social media accounts! | | | | |
