USA Football’s Post

Women’s and girls’ football in England has seen record growth, with the number of registered female players increasing by 12 per cent between October 2022 and October 2023. The growth has been driven by youth, with an increase of 18 per cent in the number of registered players under the age of 18 years old. Data also shows that the number of girls teams has increased by more than a third (39 per cent) since October 2021 – and by 17 per cent increase since October 2022. The Football Association credits the increases in the recent success of the #England women’s football team, the #Lionesses. Baroness @Sue Campbell, The FA’s director of women’s football, said: “The transformational growth we are seeing across the game has been spearheaded by our trailblazing Lionesses and the #legacy they have created for the generations of girls who will come after them." Read more: https://lnkd.in/ep7HddgQ #Football #TheFA #sport #WomenInSport #womeninsports

“Fostering the best playing environments” New Year is a great time to bring about change especially; after time reflecting on what has been going on in your line of work! So what is US Soccer going to do to meet their vision of the statement above? Have US Soccer brought their member associations together to see where there is common ground or where there are opportunities to stop the “internal competition” between the youth members? Have they looked into having these organizations “specialize” in the soccer ecosystem? Why does US Soccer allow youth soccer member associations to compete with each other? What are the benefits to such a strategy? If US Soccer wants to achieve their goal (foster the best playing environments) then the areas to be looked at are: (not in any order) Access to soccer-Facilities-Coaching-Refereeing -Oversight-Governance-Travel -Competition-Costs-Safety-Development to mention a few. So what is/has been changed in the first 6 months? What conversations have taken place? Does anyone have any updates on this or any ideas on a time frame? Would love to hear anything!

Effective sports administration is crucial for any sport to flourish

Youth soccer in the US is a pay-to-play system. Unfortunately, this system creates problems with the overall development of soccer in the US. - It locks out young players who can't afford it. - It has turned the youth soccer industry into big business. Even many so-called elite clubs focus more on making money than building programs supporting youth player development. The Soccer Handbook offers a system that brings quality training plans developed by professional, licensed coaches to smaller, more affordable youth clubs. This article expands on the issues and mentions a few other organizations that are focusing on grassroots efforts. Together we can help develop US Soccer from the ground up! https://bit.ly/4cXI4PB #grassrootssoccer #ussoccer U.S. Soccer Federation #youthsoccer

Discussing "The Problem With Youth Soccer in the US". Looking into how institutional barriers to youth soccer development in the United States has stunted the sport’s growth. "In 2010, almost 11% of all U.S. children between ages 6 and 12 played soccer regularly. However, despite the steady growth of Major League Soccer (MLS), the increasing success of the U.S. men’s national soccer team (USMNT) and the sustained success of the U.S. women’s national soccer team (USWNT), this figure decreased to 7.4% in 2021. This trend of steady decline reveals an unfortunate truth — U.S. youth soccer is broken." #YouthSports #soccer

Why is youth soccer in the U.S. so behind the rest of the world? This article does a great job of identifying the problems with the pay-to-play model.

4 Months Until Kickoff! The air is charged with anticipation and excitement as we kick off the countdown to the N-Youth League Cup—4 months and ticking! This upcoming event stands as a pivotal milestone for youth football, where dreams are poised to take center stage. Embarking on this transformative journey, the tangible excitement of dreams materializing into reality is growing. The N-Youth League Cup isn't just a competition; it's a commitment to the growth, visibility, and professional development of our young talents. This countdown isn't a mere mark on the calendar; it's a collective build-up of anticipation for the grand unveiling of a stage where future football stars will shine. Meticulous planning, dedication, and effort from every stakeholder are the cornerstones ensuring the success and impact of this endeavor. Beyond the pitch, the N-Youth League Cup serves as a launchpad for young athletes to showcase their skills, fostering a spirit of sportsmanship and contributing to the holistic development of our youth. It signifies our commitment to creating opportunities and nurturing the next generation of football enthusiasts. As we navigate these next few months, the countdown echoes the aspirations and dreams converging on the playing field. It extends an invitation to be part of a transformative experience, witnessing the resilience, skill, and passion of our youth on this remarkable journey. Stay tuned as we approach the launch date, and together, let's make the N-Youth League Cup a monumental success, shaping the narratives of aspiring footballers and leaving an enduring impact on the landscape of youth football. The journey has just begun, and the best is yet to come. ⚽️🏆 #NYLCCountdown #YouthFootball #DreamsInMotion #NYLC2024 #NYLC

🚀 Unlocking the Pathway to Premier League Stardom 🌟 Discover the groundbreaking insights from Scout Me Online's latest research, shedding light on the journey from grassroots to glory in the Premier League. Our in-depth analysis unveils the crucial factors shaping the careers of today's football stars, offering invaluable guidance for aspiring talents. From the influence of networks and connections to the significance of geographical advantage, our research paints a comprehensive picture of success in the world's most prestigious football league. Join the conversation and delve into the findings: https://lnkd.in/ew43Q_ni #PremierLeague #Football #Scouting #TalentDevelopment #SportsAnalytics"

Hi All, My latest and final article of the semester has a look into the inaccessibility of youth soccer in the US. It is the most diverse sport in the world. FIFA has 211 member associations, everywhere you go in the world a football pitch will not be far away, apart from the US. Of course, there is some cultural reasoning behind this, but it goes further. Its status as a sport for the masses and the working class is not replicated in the US, where it is a sport of suburbia and privilege. Read to find out how this broken system came to be and how it may be difficult to change: https://lnkd.in/eysTKAQv