SYA Moments Newsletter, January Edition

January 2021

SYA wants to thank all members for their efforts in relation to being safe. Your Board of Directors appreciates everyone's patience and understanding of adjustments that are needed in relation to COVID and ensuring everyone's safety.

We continue to be good stewards of our children's safety as we constantly re-evaluate our SYA protocols as suggested by federal, state, and local officials. With the current uptick in COVID cases, we must be mindful of these protocols and take necessary steps to ensure everyones safety. Just a reminder that all coaches/officials are unvaccinated are to wear masks outdoors and indoors all persons must wear masks (except participants that are actively participating).

We have also recently updated our "Return to Play" and "What to do When Sick" guidelines. These can be found on our website and when you register to participate or volunteer. If you are new to SYA, please fully read them and if you are returning to SYA, please re-read and familiarize yourself with them.

Please refer to our updates on our website for the Return to Play and what to do if your SYA athlete or volunteer is sick.

Spring SYA Sports Registration is OPEN!

Registration is open for Spring SYA Sports, register now for Baseball, Cricket, Flag Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Soccer, Softball, Track and Volleyball.

In 2021 SYA began surveying SYA families after each season to gain valuable feedback for our organization. We intend to utilize the information to communicate better with our parents.

Q: Where do my registration fees go?

The question is a good one and we hope the following information is helpful in understanding SYA revenue and expenses.

Aside from a small reimbursement from Fairfax County for financial aid/scholarships, SYA operates solely on the revenue generated by registration fees and the donations of our members and business communities and Sponsorships. In addition, many of our sports fundraise to cover their expenses.

Funds raised through registration, donations and sponsorships cover everything from uniforms, equipment, and officials, to the administrative costs of facilitating registration, the website, volunteer background checks, taxes, and audits.

A detailed list of SYA expenses is available online here.

Have a question about SYA? Reach out and we'll be happy to answer it!

SYA Soccer Grassroots Winter Clinics

SYA Soccer still has room in our U6-U7 winter grassroots clinic to support your U6-U7 player's growth and development during the off-season. Registration is completed through the Demosphere Registration Portal. Click here for additional details.

Questions about SYA Soccer's Winter Clinics? Contact Rob Olson (SYA Director of Coaching) at rbolson@syasoccer.org.

The U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching. Congratulations to the following Virginia Valor FC players selected for the state ODP pool.

Park Board Approves Revision to Braddock Park Master Plan

Last last year, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a revision to the Braddock Park Master Plan.

The revised plan retains Braddock Park’s character as a primary destination for adult softball, leverages the findings of the 2020 Study of Sports Tourism Opportunities in Fairfax County, of which SYA is an advisor, and plans for new facilities to balance out the variety of uses in the park.

SYA Welcomes new 2022 Executives to the Board of Directors

Effective January 1, 2022, SYA welcomes:

Shashana Hill as Secretary

and

Mark Yeo as Vice President

Hill and Yeo join SYA President Jeff Stein, CEO Gary Flather, Treasurer Bryan Hunt, and Legal Advisor Will Pickett to round out SYA's Executive Board. The Executive Board is responsible for oversight of the organization and adherence to the organization's By-Laws and policies.

SYA thanks retiring members Erich Wiemann and Paul Saint Germain for their many years of service.

Positive Coaching Alliance: The Impact of the Work

Recently the Positive Coaching Alliance shared a story of impact from a recent workshop with a partner school in Minnesota which beautifully highlights the importance of training for all those involved in youth sports - coaches, parents, athletes, and administrators.

PCA Trainer Tex Ostvig visited Melrose Area schools in Minnesota to host several different workshops, and he recounts an interaction with a student-athlete that speaks to the undeniable impact of PCA.

Thank you to our longstanding partnerships.