Youth Soccer Month

Youth Soccer Month is designed to help members in your community get involved and celebrate Soccer in your own unique way. Interest in the sport of soccer is at its highest level ever, with more than 19 million children ages 5 – 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 any other sport.  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 fourth annual Youth Soccer Month - Celebrating Soccer in America, this September.  Why is soccer so popular?  Because it offers children, both girls and boys the opportunity to participate in a healthy lifestyle, be physically active and develop social skills while making new friends.

1. Get together with your club represenatives and choose a day during the month of September to organize an activity to celebrate the four pillars of Youth Soccer Month - FUN, FAMILY, FITNESS and FRIENDSHIP.
2. Once you decide the activity's details, date, time and location, reach out to your city representatives and request them to proclaim September as the Youth Soccer Month.  See a sample of a proclamation below and do not forget to invite them to your activity to announce the proclamation.  This can help you to build a good relationship with your goverment representatives. 
3. If you do not think you can do this activity on your own, request your local colleges, universities, businesses and organizations to partner you to accomplish your goal.  
4. Reach out to Indy Eleven and Indiana Soccer to request their presence to power your activity with give away items and contests.  Please notice that their presence will be based on availability.   
5. Share your activity with Indiana Soccer in Facebook and Twitter using hash tag #YSM2018 for others to see what you are doing. Do not forget to like Indiana Soccer and Indy  Eleven in Facebook and follow us in Twitter!

Youth Soccer Month Package For Clubs

YSM_Proclamation_Sample
YSM_Clubs_Proclamation Request
YSM_Clubs_Promotional Material
YSM_University / College Support
YSM_University/College Soccer Match_Announcemente
YSM_University/College Public Service Announcement_Script 

INDIANA SOCCER AND INDY ELEVEN WILL SUPPORT AND POWER YOUR ACTIVITIES
- Indiana Soccer and Indy Eleven will attend your event.  Please notice that Indy Eleven and Indiana Soccer attendance will be based on availability. 
- Indiana Soccer and Indy Eleven will provide promotional and branding material to enhance and power your activities.
- Indiana Soccer and Indy Eleven will promote your activities via email, website and social media.

Request your Youth Soccer Month promotional package HERE

Goals Of Youth Soccer Month

• Youth Soccer Month can be implemented for a day, week or the entire month of September.  
• 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 urban programs, programs for children with special needs, recreational  and elite soccer programs 

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 Obama's vision of a healthier United States where citizens are physically active every day, value nutrition and avoid risky behaviors.

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 - Fun:  The health and fitness (physical, psychological and social) benefit of playing soccer… Learn More
Week Two - Family:  The relationships and fun generated through playing soccer extend beyond the field… Learn More
Week Three - Friendship:  Playing soccer ties families together as schedules, vacation and family time are coordinated… Learn More
Week Four - Fitness:  Whether recreational or competitive in nature, involvement in soccer is easy and affordable... Learn more