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Respect Campaign

The Respect Campaign is an initiative to improve the playing environment for our youth players to enhance both player and character development.

Mission Statement

WA Youth Soccer Respect Campaign aims to change the climate of youth soccer and elevate our conduct as players, coaches, spectators, and referees to a higher level by:

  • Implementing programs and practices that improve the environment of the game-on the field and sidelines.
  • Infusing our culture so that everyone—players, parents, coaches, directors, staff— treats each other with respect, and
  • Embracing diversity—by striving to understand others’ perspectives, even those most different from our own.

All across the state, we will work together to increase our acceptance and understanding of others. We will develop codes of conduct that set the highest standards for respect and inclusion. The Respect Campaign will include processes for decision making, education, and conflict resolution, based in principles of restorative justice. Our goal is that families feel good to be a part of WA Youth Soccer, and that each of us grow into more respectful, accepting and effective people.

Tenets

  • Our program serves our players, families, coaches, and the referees that make the games possible.
  • The program will strive for an environment of mutual respect across all soccer communities, within our leagues, between opponents, and with the broader organizations.
  • The program will emphasize respect for all and will not benefit one group at the expense of another.
  • We will seek to instill the understanding of opinions and actions of others in order to foster mutual respect.
  • We will continuously strive for growth and personal development in our soccer community.
  • We will strive for cultural understanding and inclusivity.
  • We will continually improve avenues to address unacceptable behavior.
  • We will create cultures within all the organizations included in WA Youth
  • Soccer that work together to maintain an environment conducive for respect.
  • We will educate our community to use the proper times & channels for addressing injustice.
  • We will implement a restorative justice process that emphasizes understanding first and creates mutually acceptable actions to promote lasting change.

If you would like to find out how you can implement the Respect Campaign in your association or club, please contact RogerL@WashingtonYouthSoccer.org

About Washington Youth Soccer
Washington Youth Soccer is the largest youth organization in the State of Washington and one of the largest and most relevant state youth soccer associations under the umbrella of the US Soccer Federation (USSF) and the US Youth Soccer national governing bodies (NGB’s). We are a nonprofit organization striving to foster the mental, physical, and emotional growth and development of the youth in our state through the sport of soccer at all levels (Elite, Competitive, and Recreation).

Job Description
The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for leading the service organization’s daily operations and staff of Washington Youth Soccer in implementing its strategic plan, providing relevant programming to our soccer community at all levels,  and implementing new programs that drive growth of youth participation in soccer in the state. The ED reports directly to the Board of Directors, keeps the Board fully informed, and provides regular updates. The ED will be a strategic, visionary, and results-oriented leader with unquestioned integrity, credibility, and character, who will serve as the public face of Washington Youth Soccer and demonstrate a clear and unequivocal commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D E & I). The ED will need to maintain a balance between professional business acumen, management, and technical knowledge along with continuous outreach to all the organization’s members, volunteers, and employees.

The ED is expected to play a dynamic leadership role including, but not limited to, the following areas:

  • Establish and continuously improve a best practice focus on D E & I, growing the game of soccer, and delivering the highest level of service to our Member Associations, Regional Club League Charter Members, and Competitive Clubs.
  • Addressing the frequent changes in the soccer landscape by adjusting plans and programs accordingly.
  • Building a stronger organization at the board, staff, and volunteer levels to incorporate input from, and create programs that improve soccer programming for our membership.
  • Practice regular fundraising and exceptional financial management to grow the organization, diversify revenue sources, and manage existing resources.
  • Establish a culture and implement policies and systems that foster management openness and transparency, with a goal of creating an integrated soccer opportunity system for youth in the state of Washington.

Responsibilities
The ED is responsible for the daily management of the Washington Youth Soccer system, which includes 27 Member Associations across the State and partnerships in the states of Oregon and Idaho, nearly 200 clubs operating at all levels of competition, and approximately 94,000 players each season. The ED leads a vibrant office staff, including those responsible for member services, administration, marketing, communications, cup management, partnerships, Soccer For Success, Elite Player Development, Positive Coaching Alliance, the RESPECT campaign, coaching education and more.

Specifically, the ED has the following responsibilities that fall into different categories:

Management & Leadership

  • Ensure professional service-oriented delivery of relevant support for Member Associations.
  • Model openness, transparency, professionalism, and teamwork including, but not limited to, representation on the State Regional Club League, participation in State Cups and Elite Player Development (EPD) programming.
  • Encourage, promote, and advocate for an organization-wide culture committed to D E & I that inspires and supports innovative thinking and problem-solving by staff, membership and volunteers that supports Washington Youth Soccer’s mission and promotes synergy and collaboration across the organization.
  • Be proactive in growing engagement with members, the community, and strategic partners.
  • Recruit, employ, evaluate, and release all staff. Ensure that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are in place, in accordance with current best nonprofit management practices.
  • Encourage staff and volunteer development, education, and assisting program staff in relating to their specialized work to the total program of the organization.
  • Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
  • Develop and maintain an organizational culture as well as systems that provide adequate data for decision-making and program monitoring/evaluation.
  • Find ways to increase support for Associations and Clubs.
  • Provide leadership in developing program, organizational, and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff and carrying out plans and policies authorized by the board.
  • Know the Statutes, Policies, and Procedures of FIFA, US Youth Soccer, and the US Soccer Federation, and ensure that the organization supports and complies with these obligations.
  • Maintain a working technical and professional knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field of youth soccer, including SafeSport-related and other significant governance requirements.

Communications

  • See that Washington Youth Soccer stakeholders (including but not limited to, the Board, Member Associations, Regional Club League, and Partners) are fully informed on the condition of the organization and important factors influencing it.
  • Publicize the activities of the organization, its programs, and its goals. Serve as the chief spokesperson and public face of the organization.
  • Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with Washington Youth Soccer Member Associations, Regional Club League Charter Members, and Competitive Clubs, in addition to community groups and organizations, while representing the programs and point of view of the organization to members, stakeholder organizations, and the general public.
  • Represent the organization to legislative bodies and governmental entities.

Financial Management

  • Develop and maintain sound financial practices that conform with all applicable regulations, guidelines, and best practices for a nonprofit of Washington Youth Soccer’s size and complexity.
  • Lead the preparation of the annual and multi-year budgets and financially manage the organization to operate within budget guidelines.
  • Ensure that adequate funds are available to permit the organization to carry out its work.
  • Jointly, with the Board, conduct official correspondence of the organization and execute legal documents and processes.
  • Develop relationships with, and solicit grants and gifts from, foundations and corporations.
  • Develop and execute new methods of fundraising, as well as maintain and improve all existing methods of fundraising.

Partnerships

  • Serve as the leading spokesperson for the organization to continuously nurture deep and productive partnership relationships with:
    • Member Associations, Regional Club League Charter Members, and Competitive Clubs
    • Soccer bodies, including but not limited to: FIFA, US Soccer Federation, US Youth Soccer, Sounders FC, and other professional organizations
    • Philanthropic foundations
    • Corporations and corporate foundations
    • Health, fitness, and medical/nutritional professionals

Desired Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree with 10 years professional experience or higher degree.
  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience in management, a significant portion of which is within a complex non-profit organization with a member-service focus and a minimum budget of $2M, with at least 3 years at the executive level.
  • Experience in association management and service organizations.
  • Excellent people skills, including facilitation and listening, collaboration, and willingness to learn and support.
  • Ability to, and comfort with, working with multiple supervisory and/or collaborative bodies including the Board of Directors, Member Associations, and Regional Club League Charter Member clubs.
  • Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to attract, motivate, and develop staff and volunteers.
  • Excellent written, communication, and public speaking skills.
  • Proven track record of providing strategic direction in a collaborative manner.
  • Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and to work with tact and diplomacy.
  • Calm under pressure.
  • Ability to work some flexible hours including travel to Member Associations or other partners, including nights and weekends.
  • Experience with youth soccer and/or youth-centered organizations

Compensation
Salary commensurate with experience, plus a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and vacation/sick leave. A retirement program that includes a 401k with up to 5% matching is also offered.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Seldom (less than 10%) Limited (10-30%) Moderate (31-60%) Frequent (61-100%)
Lifting to 50 lbs. Standing Sitting Lifting/carrying up to 10 lbs.
Exposure to human borne pathogens Lifting to 25 lbs. Stooping, bending  
Lift assist over 50 lbs. Twisting, pushing, pulling    
  Exposure to outside elements    
  Walking    

 

To Apply For This Position

  • Send a cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position, a resume, and three (3) professional references to apply@washingtonyouthsoccer.org.
  • Candidate screening will be ongoing until the position is filled.

Washington Youth Soccer is an equal opportunity employer. No applicant will be discriminated against because of race, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sensory, mental, or physical disability.

The Washington Youth Soccer offices are currently closed, but staff are working remotely during business hours. Click here for the staff directory and contact information.

Programming Updates

ProgramCurrent StatusContact
Regional Club LeagueRCL Games and club practices postponed until further notice. Contact Club Staff
State CupsOfficially canceled for the seasonal year 2019-2020. Bastien Catrin
Foundation/Soccer For SuccessPostponed until further notice.Rachel Wilton
EPD TrainingFriendship Cup and ODP regional Camp have been canceled.
EPD training are suspended until further notice.
Bastien Catrin
letHERcoachCourses rescheduled; see email. Erin Redwine
TOPSoccerPostponed until further notice. Tom Tate
Volunteer CelebrationTacoma Stars event canceled, will be rescheduled. Spenser Davis

Letter from President Dan Popp

UPDATED 4/14/20

Dear Washington Youth Soccer family,

We as an organization are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation on a local, state, national, and global level, and doing everything we can to provide information and make decisions in the best interest of our membership and community. Safety is our first priority, and we are following the directives of our federal, state, and local governments as we continue to navigate this crisis. Governor Jay Inslee announced today the immediate closure of all K-12 schools in King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties.

Washington Youth Soccer, as a member of US Soccer and US Youth Soccer, is a service agency for 27 associations from all corners of Washington State. In that capacity, Washington Youth Soccer provides a variety of services including player registration, secondary player insurance, risk management, coaching education, and a vibrant Respect campaign. Washington Youth Soccer also operates soccer programming like Elite Player Development, Regional Club League, State Cups, Soccer For Success, and TOPSoccer.

Our staff and board of directors are working to communicate information and assist our member associations where possible. As a member of your local youth soccer association or club, you may receive news on their individual status from them. 

Washington Youth Soccer is dedicated to providing the best youth soccer experience our state has to offer. We will continue to follow the authorities as the issue unfolds, but rest assured that as soon as it is safe to do so, we will resume youth soccer activities under our leadership.

Thanks for your continued support of youth soccer in Washington,

 

 

Dan Popp

President, Washington Youth Soccer Board of Directors

Full Return to Play Guidelines

For those with questions about the current Coronavirus situation in Washington and how it affects Washington Youth Soccer, please view the below resources. If you have any further questions, contact Terry Fisher: terry@washingtonyouthsoccer.org

Resources & Links

US Youth Soccer Return to Activity Notice

From US Youth Soccer regarding Return to Play guidelines:

As many communities begin to institute new guidelines for youth sports activities, we are beginning our plans to initiate programming. While we are all anxious to jump on the field and start playing, we need to be cognizant of our communities rules and requirements. It is our goal to maintain a spirit of fun and enjoyment, while making sure we comply with all local rules in order to better protect the health of our community. Below are some guidelines provided by US Youth Soccer that will help us plan our return to play initiatives. Things may initially be very different than what we’re all familiar with, but hopefully each phase will allow for the introduction of more and better programming. We are excited to have the chance to see all of you soon, and we hope this phased approach to play will take us back to playing the game we love sooner versus later.

We hope to see you all safe, healthy and on the field soon. We Are Youth Soccer!

USYS RTA Notice

US Soccer Statement

Tacoma Stars/MASL Season Canceled

MLS Suspends Season for 30 Days

RCL Update

Regarding RCL, from league commissioner Paul Bayly: 

Effective today, 3-11-2020, the RCS will follow the message coming from the WA Governor office with regard to RCL teams playing and training

RCL Games will be postponed until further notice. (edited 4/8)

Clubs practices will be suspended until further notice. (edited 4/8)

As the coronavirus is a fluid situation, the above statement is subject to change as we will continue to monitor the situation going forward.

Thank you for your patience, health and safety is our priority.

 

US Youth Soccer Update 3/5

UPDATE FROM US YOUTH SOCCER 3/5:

Given current health and travel concerns, we wanted to provide you with an overview of the steps USYS is taking to keep our community safe and informed. We are proactively engaged in ongoing communications with all travel providers, related government agencies, and our soccer community at the national, regional and local level.

 

For all USYS organized international travel, a reminder that our current roster of travel providers have decades of experience and 24/7 teams of risk management professionals, including security partners and on-staff medical personnel. Because of the rapid development of this situation in varying countries, our travel partners consider real-time information from their local ground teams across the globe, as well as guidance from the CDC, World Health Organization, and U.S. Department of State. Our partners regularly advise us on conditions at our scheduled destinations, and they will continue to monitor and advise us as needed.

 

For all upcoming domestic events and travel, we advise our soccer community to frequently check our website at usyouthsoccer.org as well as follow us on social media. At this time, it remains safe to travel to our scheduled destinations but we will continue to monitor and advise as needed. Should there be any domestic travel advisories or alerts that impact our upcoming events, we will alert all USYS stakeholders as well as the broader USYS community.

 

If you wish to stay informed of any US Government travel advisories, we invite you to review current US State Department Travel Advisories here:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

You can find CDC Travel Health Notices here:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices

 

In addition to our organizational efforts, USYS encourages our soccer community to take all reasonable measures to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 in their daily lives. Coronavirus and influenza are spread by exposure to droplets via coughing and by contact with surfaces touched by an infected person. Touching an infected surface and then touching your face, eyes, mouth or nose is a preventable route of transmission.

 

Here are some basic rules to help you and your family stay safe:

 

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (at least 30 seconds).
  • Avoid touching your mouth, eyes or nose with your hands.
  • Clean or disinfect all areas of your training area after every use.
  • Use alcohol-based sanitizers in addition to frequent hand-washing. Carry small bottles of alcoholic disinfectant to use when hand-washing facilities are unavailable.
  • During camps, training and tournaments, maintaining hygiene is extremely important. Clothes should be washed after workouts.
  • Support your immune system with a varied, vitamin-rich diet with sufficient vegetables and fruit to help prevent infections. Fruit containing vitamin C, such as oranges or grapefruits, are particularly important.
  • Keep hydrated and drink enough to keep mucous membranes moist.
  • Flu vaccines are always recommended.
  • If an athlete, coach or staff member has symptoms such as coughing, fever or general malaise, they should contact their physician, should NOT attend practice and should consider self-isolation until evaluated by medical personnel.

 

As a source of information and support, USYS will continue to provide up-to-date information and resources when available to aid in information distribution, event preparation and organizational response. We will continue to make all efforts to ensure that our members and athletes are informed, safe and ready to compete.

 

Additional information on the Coronavirus and travel can be found at:

CDC Coronavirus FAQ Sheet

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

CDC Travel information

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

WHO

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

FISA

http://www.worldrowing.com/news/update-the-coronavirus-covid

Recommendations from the FISA Sports Medicine Commission Coronavirus (02/27/2020)

USOPC

https://www.teamusa.org/Coronavirus-Updates

Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins CSSE

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

Please know that we are watching the situation carefully and will continue to proactively share updates as they impact our organization. The safety and security of our soccer community is, and always will be, our highest priority!

 

Sincerely,

Skip Gilbert

Dr. Pete Zopfi

Drew Hiatt

Coronavirus 1
Coronavirus 2

Additional Resources:

 

The ratio of officials to athletes in Washington is at its lowest on record, with more than 28 high school athletes for every one official across all sports, down 23% from a decade ago.

One of the most important, yet unheralded, roles in sport is at a crossroads. It’s no secret that the men and women clad in black-and-white or, as we’re often used to in the soccer world, bright pastels, get little to no respect at every level. A Seattle Times report this week shows just how much of a crisis this is for nearly every level of every sport not only in Washington, but across the country. The reverberations could be painful and plentiful, but the most obvious effect of a continued drop in referee registration is canceled games. 

The Washington Officials Association (WOA), whose purpose is to “provide qualified officials for WIAA-sanctioned regular season and postseason events,” reports that they have lost more than 1,500 members in the last decade. There were 6,153 registered officials in Washington during the 2018-19 season with an average age of 54. 

The Times report cites a variety of studies and anecdotes that attempt to explain this decline, but they don’t arrive at a simple answer—or a solution. One particularly notable survey mentioned is one from the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) in 2017 regarding “sporting behavior.” Nearly 57% of officials surveyed said that sportsmanship was “getting worse,” and nearly 40% of the same respondents said that parents were the most significant cause of such problems. This seems to be an even more significant problem at the youth level, according to the Times, because parents and coaches are “often less educated on the rules.”

Poor sportsmanship creates an environment of negativity towards officials, which can lead to worse if it goes unchecked. Almost 47% of officials who took part in the NASO survey said that they have “felt unsafe or feared for [their] safety due to administrator, player, coach, or spectator behavior.” At the very least, these poorly paid and overworked officials often sustain constant verbal abuse from parents, coaches, and players. Such trauma can wear a person down, so it’s not hard to see why one referee administrator that the Times interviewed said that 2/3 of the officials in his organization quit before their fourth year. 

The root of all of this, and therefore the most significant reason why officiating numbers are going down nationwide, is lack of respect. When parents and coaches display a lack of sportsmanship towards officials on such a massive scale through verbal abuse, intimidation, and the like, it makes such a position virtually untenable. After all, why would you continue doing something that, after all the low pay and long hours, subjects you to such blatant disrespect? 

At Washington Youth Soccer, we’re all about respect. Obviously, that’s most obvious in our Respect Campaign, something that everyone here is passionate about and strives to push forward every single day. One of the central tenets of Respect is that “the program will strive for an environment of mutual respect across all soccer communities, within our leagues, between opponents, and with the broader organizations.” That includes match officials. 

Something has to change not only in youth soccer in Washington, but in all youth sports across the country. Without trained officials, there are no games. We must pledge to foster an environment of respect and admiration towards match officials at every level of the game. If we create a more positive culture around our sport and its officials, perhaps we can entice more to sign up and get involved. But it all starts with parents, coaches, and administrators. Next time you think about yelling at that referee for a decision you disagree with, consider the reverberations your decision might have on the individual official, the players, spectators, and more. Be an agent of change in your sport and invest in its future. 

For more information on becoming a referee in Washington, check out the Washington State Referee Committee.

 

 

 

On October 5th and 6th, Washington Youth Soccer is partnering with the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) and Seattle Sounders FC for the first ever Honor the Game Weekend. There are two massive parts of this event, both equally important to the growth of soccer in our state.

On Saturday, clubs around the state are challenged to show how they’re honoring the game of soccer during their matches. Keep reading and watch our social media channels for ideas on how our athletes can participate and enter to win a signed Sounders FC jersey!

Sunday’s events are equally important: Seattle Sounders FC will be demonstrating their own ways of honoring the game as they take on Minnesota United FC in the last regular season home match of the year. Use our exclusive ticket link to not only get a discount, but also to support Washington Youth Soccer and our efforts to build the sport in our state.

What does it mean to Honor the Game?

Positive Coaching Alliance promotes a handful of topics that are centered on their core principle, The Power of Positive. Chief among those is Honoring the Game:

The idea of ROOTS comes from one of PCA’s guiding manuals, Jim Thompson’s Elevating Your Game. It’s basically an outline for how respect and honoring the game overlap in specific ways. It’s also very similar to what we’ve conveyed in the Respect campaign here at Washington Youth Soccer.

From PCA:

Rules
The rules of a sport have been developed and modified for a reason. Rules keep the game fair, and they also keep athletes safe. Don’t try to work against the rules or bend them; respect the role they play in your sport.

Opponents
As you want respect, give respect to your opponents. As Jim Thompson suggests in his book, “fierce and friendly” opponents are what we should strive to be and have in competition.

Officials
Officials are doing the best they can to enforce the rules and maintain a safe environment for play. They are people too, doing the best they can, and there is never an excuse for disrespecting officials.

Teammates
Make your teammates proud by doing the best you can (on and off the field) and by supporting them in all their efforts.

Self
Finally, and most importantly, you have to respect yourself in order to uphold an honorable approach to sports. Set high standards and live up to them.

 

How can I Honor the Game this weekend?

Washington Youth Soccer wants to encourage everyone involved in our clubs and leagues to find their own ways of honoring the game this weekend and beyond, but here are a few suggestions for those looking for ideas:

  • Self-control for everyone involved encourages cool heads to prevail, from players to coaches to parents to referees.
  • Parents: stay silent on the sidelines, except for positive cheering for your athlete and their club.
  • Think twice about bending the rules as a player; many seasoned players have likely experienced this in a match at some point, but it shows true respect for the game to follow the rules even when you think you can get away with bending them.
  • Recognize how much your opponents can help you get better. Instead of thinking of them as your enemies, think about how facing them has improved your game—and thank them for it afterwards.
  • Respecting match officials, no matter what. Despite what you might see on TV, true professionals respect and honor the referees at all times. Don’t surround the referee after a perceived bad call; respect his decision and move on with the match. Thank him (or her) for a job well done at the end of the match, no matter how much you disagree with their decisions. This goes for parents, too.
  • Recognize that we’re all in this together, and that honoring the game means picking up and encouraging everyone involved with every match you play. Parents and coaches need to not only respect each other during and after matches, but they should also respect the athletes on both teams.
  • Foster a culture of respect and honor at all times. When you see a teammate, parent, or coach breaching that culture, remind them of how important it is to Honor the Game.

 

How will you Honor the Game?

Send us your photos, videos, and stories about how you honored the game in your matches this weekend for a chance to win a signed Sounders FC jersey, just in time for the playoffs! Any athlete currently on the roster of a Washington Youth Soccer club is eligible to participate. Submit your entries via email, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and a winner will be selected next week. 

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