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VYSA PARTNERS WITH THE BAND APP

VYSA Announces Partnership with Leading Communication App BAND


FREDERICKSBURG, Virginia (September 5, 2023) – Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) is pleased to announce a new partnership with BAND, the ultimate communication app for busy club/league leaders, team coaches, and managers who want to easily manage their teams on a centralized platform. 

The free app provides teams with the tools they need to communicate more effectively, including group messaging, calendars, photo/video sharing, and polls. BAND also serves as the communication app of choice for several other US Youth Soccer (USYS) State Associations: Ohio Soccer Association, Illinois Youth Soccer, Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, Kentucky Youth Soccer Association, and New Jersey Youth Soccer Association. Additionally, BAND serves major organizations including the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and Varsity Spirit.

“VYSA partnered with BAND to help provide a platform for VYSA Member Leagues, Clubs, and teams that elevates the standards of communication in youth soccer,” said Don Rawson, VYSA Executive Director. “The app was designed specifically for communication and prioritizes the safety of users while also providing state-of-the-art communication tools. VYSA is eager to promote this free app to members and the association looks forward to implementing its use to improve state programs including the Virginia Olympic Development Program, The State Cup, Presidents Cup, and Coaching Education.”

The BAND app has a wide range of functionality, including but not limited to scheduling posts, sending documents, sharing photos and videos. The state association along with BAND is dedicated to the safety of the VYSA Membership. The app features advanced settings to enable admin-only capabilities and notifications; ensuring the safety of app users remains a priority. Another advantage of BAND is that group admins can see who has viewed their post – a feature all users love for improved accountability. 

“We are excited to work with the VYSA team and its members, leagues, and clubs. We believe BAND will help improve information sharing between VYSA and its members, while also centralizing their communication in one place through the powerful tools that BAND offers.” – Sidney Chae, General Manager of BAND U.S Office

BAND will serve as the main communication channel during the Fall 2023 Cup Series as well as the 2023-2024 ODP season. VYSA will use the BAND app to improve communications with league and club leaders throughout virginia. 

Use this link to download the BAND app and explore its features. 

About BAND:

BAND (band.us) is a leading group communication app that makes it easier for teams to stay on the same page. Leaders use BAND to manage and communicate with their teams on one platform through critical features like group messaging, notifications, calendars, RSVPs, pictures & videos, polls, live streams, and more. Over 400,000 group leaders are using BAND throughout the states, including sports teams, school clubs, businesses, and friends and families. BAND is available for free on iOS, Android, and online. For more information, visit https://band.us.

About Virginia Youth Soccer Association:The Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) www.vysa.com is a member of the US Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer representing over 125,000 youth players, coaches and administrators in the Commonwealth of Virginia and DC. VYSA oversees programs including Virginia Futsal, the Olympic Development Program (ODP), the National Championship Series (State Cup), Coaching Education and more. Learn more about Virginia Youth Soccer Association online at www.vysa.com.

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP BRACKET CHALLENGE

Join the state association in cheering on the USWNT as they look to defend their title in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup!

Enter for the chance to win prizes from Official VYSA Sponsor, Nike. Winners will be selected at the end of each elimination round.

The Virginia Youth Soccer Association is hosting a Bracket Challenge for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. To participate, create a bracket at the link below on ESPN. Please note, brackets will only be available to fill out on August 3, 2023, after the group play stage.

The competition will kick-off on August 5, 2023.

To enter the competition, click on the link below to create your bracket. Create your bracket by selecting a winner for each knockout round match. VYSA will select winners after each elimination round. Participants competing in the VYSA Bracket Challenge will also be eligible to win up to $10,000 in prize money from ESPN and their partners. See competition details and rules here.


KEEPER WARS

Keeper Wars Ink Battle Group Finds Virginia!

This past weekend Keepers from over 10 different states around the US found themselves on new hallowed grounds in Virginia! With thousands of shots and thousands of saves made over the weekend, it was truly a keeper’s paradise! 

Publix Virginia Soccer Training Center held its first-ever Virginia Youth Soccer Keeper Wars Ink event with over 150 keepers! Players came to compete in a unique 1v1 tournament competition designed to showcase the often-forgotten position of goalkeepers. 

“As we wrap up our first Keeper Wars event in Virginia, I was very impressed with the competition and the sportsmanship shown around the event. Having over 150 keepers at our first event in the area shows the love for the toughest position on the pitch! We are excited to see these players not only develop as keepers but also as people. The highs and lows of this position can be tough on young keepers, and the overall support system surrounding our events is truly everything I wish I had when I was younger. We are honored to see Virginia take so strongly to our first event. We look forward to many more events giving back to the keeper community with the support of VYSA.” Casey Clark, CEO of Keeper Wars Ink

“When the relationship between Keeper Wars Ink and VYSA was first proposed, I was optimistic that there would be this number of goalkeepers participating.…in maybe the third year!”, said Don Rawson, VYSA Executive Director. “The event planning, organization, and atmosphere all exceeded expectations. It was great to see so many smiling faces in a highly competitive format. VYSA is thrilled with the successful start to its partnership with Keeper Wars Ink and looks forward to having this event back next year for an even bigger competition.”

This 3-day event consisted of the following:

  • A Pre-Event Youth Keeper Wars Clinic designed to prepare players for Keeper Wars and give guidance to young keepers wanting to sharpen their skills.  This Clinic is built and run by Casey Clark CEO of Keeper Wars Ink, Director of USYS GK Club and former professional goalkeeper! 
  • Keeper Wars Ink also gave back to the adult community with an adult cash prize Keeper Wars Event that crowned first, second, and third! 

1st Place: Marc Herman           Berryville, Virginia

2nd Place: Mark Trznadel         Fredericksburg, Virginia

3rd Place: Keegan Brade       Front Royal, Virginia

Saturday & Sunday

  • The main event, a 2-day Youth Keeper Wars tournament took place!
  • The only thing that outnumbered the battles that took place this past weekend was the friendships made. As Keeper Wars’ upbeat, family-friendly, music festival-type atmosphere has special way of making keepers feel like they are not alone!
  • With 9 boys divisions & girls divisions competing for a chance to join the invite-only USYS Keeper Wars National Championship.  Held in Orlando, Florida alongside the USYS Championship Series event.   
  • Awards and nationals qualifications were given out to the top 3 individuals of each age group 10U and up!
    -Inaugural VYSA Keeper Wars Winner can be found below! 

Fredericksburg Virginia City Tour

9U Boys & Girls

1st: Liam Orjada                    Ashburn, VA
2nd: Harrison Crain            Woodbridge, VA
3rd: Elijah Collister              Burke, VA

10U – 11U Boys

1st: Cayden Burns   
 La Plata, MD
2nd: Liam Horner                     Tappan, NY
3rd: Samuel Meleounis          Burlington, CT            

10U – 11U Girls

1st: Kikyo Hinds                       Oxon Hill, MD
2nd: Eliza Harvey                     Arlington, VA
3rd: Stella Hartman           Williamsburg, VA          

12U – 13U Boys

1st: Oscar Houser                Chesterfield, VA
2nd: Soren Weis                      Hamilton, VA
3rd: Max Scott                         Ashland, VA         

12U – 13U Girls

1st: Reagan Miskovich            Leesburg, VA
2nd: Caylin Retmier                Leesburg, VA
3rd: Emily Laxton                     Fairmont, WV     

14U – 15U Boys

1st: Henry Schofield                 Vienna, VA
2nd: Zach Cielewich             Millersville, MD
3rd: Cooper Wolfe              King William, VA     

14U – 15U Girls

1st: Cristina Cuervo             Key Biscayne, FL
2nd: Jillian Haar                      Glen Allen, VA
3rd: Kenzie Roberts            Weddington, NC   

16U – 19U Boys

1st: Henry Houser               Chesterfield, VA
2nd: James Loockwood           Harrison, OH
3rd: Anthony Torrez                Springfield VA 

16U – 19U Girls

1st: Morgan Musselman        Purcelville, VA
2nd: Liliana Sines-Kleist          Raleigh, NC
3rd: Marie Cable           Mechanicsville, MD
**Not pictured