Washington Youth Soccer Receives Grant from US Youth Soccer

$7,500 grant will help grow Soccer Across Washington diversity programs statewide

FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON (Tues., May 25) - Washington Youth Soccer today announced that it has been awarded a grant from US Youth Soccer in the amount of $7,500 to fund the Soccer Across Washington program. The grant awarded to Washington Youth Soccer is part of over $500,000 in Soccer Across America State Association Membership Development grants US Youth Soccer will award to nationwide over the next three years.

Washington Youth Soccer will use the grant to grow its Soccer Across Washington program, which provides opportunities for all players, regardless of geography, economics, gender, language barriers or ethnicity to be introduced to the game of soccer. Soccer Across Washington increases soccer opportunities by providing a network that offers soccer training, administrative guidance, equipment assistance and technical support to communities throughout the state of Washington.

"We are committed to growing our Soccer Across Washington program and reaching an exponentially increased number of youth," said Doug Andreassen, President of Washington Youth Soccer. "This grant will help us achieve our mission of proving soccer opportunities to all kids across the state and we are honored to be recipients."

In the three years since its initial launch, Soccer Across Washington has registered 470 players with its pilot programs in Tacoma and Seattle and has implemented Coaching Certificate courses in Spanish. The grant money received from US Youth Soccer will help the state association towards its goal of increasing registration by up to 1,000 players in 2010-11, starting programs in Vancouver, Marysville and Wenatchee, and bringing Spanish-language coaching education courses to Yakima, Marysville, Vancouver and Tukwila.

"With this grant we will be able to continue to promote the game of soccer by providing community resources," said Tracy Murphy, Soccer Across Washington Committee Chair. "The funds will allow us to focus on coaching education and building resources for our dedicated volunteers and community champions, who are the foundation of our program."

For more information about Soccer Across Washington, or any Washington Youth Soccer program, visit washingtonyouthsoccer.org, or contact Washington Youth Soccer at (253) 476-2237.

About Washington Youth Soccer

Washington Youth Soccer is the largest youth soccer organization in Washington. Washington Youth Soccer is the state's affiliate for US Youth Soccer, which is the largest sports organization in the United States and the most populous member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body for soccer in the United States. The Washington Youth Soccer is the sixth largest membership in the nation; our organization represents over 128,000 players (ages 4-19) and their families, 15,000 coaches on 12,000 teams and 6,500 referees in the state of Washington. Washington Youth Soccer's mission is to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of the State of Washington's youth through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) - US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.