APRIL 2021
THE LATEST FROM WYOMING SOCCER
REGISTER TO TRYOUT FOR WYOMING 307 SELECT & WYOMING ODP!
Tryout dates for the Wyoming 307 Select Program and Wyoming ODP Program are set and registration is open!

Tryouts for both programs will be held in conjunction with one another. This will create less travel for players who live outside of Casper and want to tryout for both programs. Please note that ODP is open to players aged 12U-17U, while Wyoming 307 Select is open to players 10U - 19U.

There will be a $50 tryout fee for each program, or a combined $75 tryout fee if trying out for both.

All tryouts will be held in Casper on the following dates:

  • June 5-6, 2021 - Casper
  • July 17-18, 2021 - Casper
  • August 7-8, 2021 - Casper

For information on our programs, please visit our site, click on the Programs tab and then the 307 Select or ODP page.
BE PREPARED FOR THE ACT/SAT TESTS

We are here to help through the eKnowlede PowerPrep10
Wyoming Soccer Association's partner eKnowledge has boosted their programming to assist our high school aged soccer players across the state in gaining some amazing ACT and SAT test prep for a deal almost too good to be true.

The PowerPrep10 Beta Program is a course that is intuitive, student-driven, comprehensive, multi-media, content rich and focused precisely on your student's needs with instant access to a LIVE teacher!

The value of this is $350, but as a member of Wyoming Soccer Association you can get in for as low as $19.99 and can receive EVERYTHING for only $49.99 - a $1500 value!

Registration deadline to register for the first summer ACT Test of 2021 (June 12th) is May 7, 2021.

The deadline to register for the next SAT Test of 2021 (May 8th) is April 27, 2021 (late fees apply).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ALL NEW POWERPREP 10... and ensure your student is ready!
SPORTS THREAD PROFILE ACTIVATION - 100% FREE

Attention College Bound Athletes!
Do you have a player who as aspirations of being a college athlete (even if it's not soccer)?

If you have a high-school aged player, you probably received an email yesterday (check your inbox!) with information on how to activate your profile from our newest partner, Sports Thread. Why is this important and what the heck is Sports Thread you ask?

Well, in a nutshell...

Sports Thread is an award-winning social media-based network that connects student-athletes with team members, coaches, parents and fans.

Didn't see the email? We'll help you out. Follow these instructions:

Profile Creation Process 

1.    Download Sports Thread App (Apple) (Android)
2.    Open Sports Thread App
3.    Select "More"
4.    Click "My Profile"
5.    Press "Edit" followed by "Add Sports Profile"
6.    Fill Out Sports Profile

If you have questions, Sports Thread has a helpful FAQ page, which can be found here.
WYOMING SOCCER ASSOCIATION
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION IS OPEN

Apply Today!
Did you know Wyoming Soccer Association awards three annual scholarships to current or past members?

The scholarships are worth $500 each. Don't miss out on this opportunity!

Please review our scholarship guidelines before applying.

SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION ARE:

  • A copy of your high school or college transcript (official copies not required)
  • A 500 word essay describing how soccer has impacted your life.
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation from high school or college teachers
  • One (1) letter of recommendation from a soccer coach
  • One (1) current picture of yourself for website announcements

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

ALL ENTRIES AND SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS MUST BE MAILED TO:

WYOMING SOCCER ASSOCIATION
777 OVERLAND TRAIL, SUITE 132
CASPER, WY 82601

Applications must be post marked no later than
Friday, May 7, 2021
Wyoming Soccer Association previously announced a new program coming to Dubois, Wyoming funneled through the Boys & Girls Club of Central Wyoming and funded by the Wyoming Soccer SOW Soccer Program. After further consideration on behalf of the local director, and being extremely short-staffed, it was felt the timing was not quite right. Although, there may be a future for youth soccer in Dubois, it will not be happening this year.

With that said, we have received strong interest from two other areas of the state in starting programs in partnership with us. The areas are Wheatland through their Parks & Rec Department and Star Valley. We are excited to start working with both these areas and hope to have teams competing in our events in the next year.

For more information on the SOW Soccer (Spark Opportunities with Soccer) Program, please click here.

We are currently accepting grant applications through June 30, 2021 if you have a program you'd like to get started in your area.
THE LATEST FROM US YOUTH SOCCER
Last week, US Youth Soccer (USYS) released their 2020 Annual Report. This report really shows the width and depth of our national organization. This was a collective effort and they worked hard to gather information from all 55 state associations, including ourselves, in compiling this document.

Even our own, Brian Orr - a coach from Heart Mountain United Soccer Association, made it into the report for his regional recognition as the West Region Boys Competitive Coach of the Year in 2020. This can be found on Page 26! Click below to view the report.
THINK BIG!

You could serve on the National Board of Directors...
The annual election for the US Youth Soccer (USYS) Board of Director positions will take place at the USYS AGM on Saturday, July 24, 2021. We would like to extend the invitation for you to participate in this process.

The US Youth Soccer Governance and Nominating Committee has been given the task, in Article X, section 1, Paragraph F of the US Youth Soccer Bylaws, offering pathways to potential members for the US Youth Soccer Board of Directors.
At the 2021 US Youth Soccer AGM, the positions of Vice Chair, Treasurer and Member-at-large will be filled. The positions of East Region Representative and South Region Representative will be filled during their regional meetings. Wyoming is part of the West Region.

• Vice Chair
• Treasurer
• Member-at-large
• East Region Representative
• South Region Representative

The qualifications and duties expected of the US Youth Soccer Board members can be found in Article IX, Section 5 of the US Youth Soccer Bylaws.


Please note that per the bylaws, nominations from the floor will only be allowed if there are no candidates for an office to be elected. Because of this, it is important that interested candidates be identified so they can be presented at the AGM for consideration by the membership.

Interested parties need only to provide a resume detailed sufficiently to provide insight into the qualifications of the individual for the office they wish to occupy and complete a Background Check through US Youth Soccer.

The deadline to submit is May 25, 2021.


Please forward this information with a cover letter to:

Jill Wiser, Executive Assistant
jwiser@usyouthsoccer.org
9220 World Cup Way
Frisco, TX 75033

US Youth Soccer Governance & Nominating Committee
Gloria Faber – Chair
Evelyn Gill – East Region
Michael Doria – Midwest Region
John Stacey – South Region
Dan King – West Region
THE LATEST FROM US SOCCER FEDERATION
JUST 3 MONTHS UNTIL #TOKYO2020
The United States will face Sweden, New Zealand and Australia in Group G at the delayed 2020 Olympic Women’s Soccer Tournament taking place from July 21-Aug. 7, 2021 in six cities and at seven venues throughout Japan. The Olympic Final Draw took place this morning during the early morning Eastern Time at the FIFA Headquarters in Zürich.

“After waiting an extra year for this Olympics, the draw represents a real milestone in our journey and helps us focus in even more on our preparation and what we need to do to achieve our goals,” said U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “We have great respect for all three of our group opponents and we know this tournament will push us to our limits both mentally and physically, as well as challenge us every game technically and tactically, so we will do everything we can in the next three months to prepare for success.”
 
The USA’s draw pits the Americans against teams it has faced before at the Olympics. The USA faced Sweden in 2016 in Brazil and 1996 in the USA, New Zealand in 2012 in England and in 2008 in China, and Australia in 2004 in Greece. 
 
It also pits the USA against two former U.S. Women’s National Team coaches. Tony Gustavsson, who is now the head coach of Australia, was an assistant under fellow Swede Pia Sundhage, helping the USA win the 2012 Olympics, and then under Jill Ellis, helping the USA win the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups. Tom Sermanni, the long-time head coach of Australia who now is head coach of New Zealand, was the USA’s head coach from January 2013 to April 2014.
 
The draw also gives the USA an opening match against Sweden, the team that knocked it out of the 2016 Olympics on penalty kicks in the quarterfinal round, which was the USA’s earliest exit in a world championship. The USA played Sweden just under two weeks ago, a 1-1 draw in Stockholm on April 10.


OLIVIA PENFIELD
Oliva Penfield from the Douglas Youth Soccer Association is in the spotlight for the month of April!

Oliva is a very well rounded player and plays mid-defense for her high school team and is the goalkeeper for her indoor traveling club team. Olivia has grown up with the sport of soccer and started playing when she was just four years old.

Olivia recalls the experience, as relayed to her by her mom, "During my very first game, when I was four, my mom told me I was pushed down and left the field crying. My grandpa did not want me to go back to practice, but I did, and I haven't left the field since. Living in a small town, it has been difficult to find enough players or a coach some seasons. We didn’t always have a place to practice – one season we practiced in a small workshop. I am happy that I can join my high school team and plan to play the winter season for the travel team also. I encourage others to pursue this sport as well because it has been an amazing thing in my life."

In addition to soccer, Olivia is part of her high school marching and concert bands and plays the trombone. She is an active member of 4-H, and has shown her dog for the past three years - she is a huge animal lover. She is also a very talented and aspiring artist. 

Olivia has quite the sense of humor and her favorite movie is Monty Python and the Holy Grail! She loves music; the band 21 Pilots is her absolute favorite and she is an avid reader. Her favorite book is East by Edith Pattou. While we're on the subject of Olivia's favorites, here's a couple unique things we think you'll find interesting. Her favorite food is Lefsa, her favorite smell is freshly mowed grass, and her favorite word...petrichor! Yep, we included a hyperlink for those of you whose vocabulary is not that of Olivia's! You're welcome.

Olivia's coaches, Kim & Amber Hight say, "We are so excited to hear that Olivia has been nominated and selected for the player spotlight. We had the esteem pleasure of coaching Olivia this past season for indoor futsal. We came in midway during the season and were very impressed with Olivia's professionalism on and off the court. She always puts her teammates first and is kind and generous, not only to them, but also to her opponents. We were clearly impressed with her knowledge as a goalie and how she commanded the court and her control throughout the game. She is not only an amazing goalie, she is a great soccer player on the field. It was a pleasure to coach Olivia this past season and we know she will go on to do amazing things as a goalie and soccer player in the future. We are very excited for Olivia and this honor."

Wyoming Soccer is thrilled to honor Olivia, and we want to hear more about players like her.  Remember, the player spotlight can highlight achievement in any area, whether it's soccer, academics, community, or attitude. Please share your kids with us!  
 
To nominate a player from your club for the Player Spotlight, please download the nomination form by clicking here.  Once completed, please email to wssa@wyomingsoccer.com.  
THE LATEST FOR COACHES
WYOMING COACH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

Remember Wyoming Soccer Association is offering reimbursement for coach education through the Coach Development Initiative (click here for full details).

Every child deserves an educated coach , so please take advantage of the opportunity for your players, families and soccer community to make the youth soccer environment better than ever!

Please follow the below links for more information:
 

 

Kind Regards,
 
David Hayes
Technical Director
THE LATEST UPCOMING EVENTS
April 24-25, 2021

May 1-2, 2021

May 8-9, 2021

May 22-23, 2021

CASPER, WY
May 29-31, 2021

*Participating teams must play in a state sanctioned league to qualify for the
Cup & Championships event
APRIL CODE OF CONDUCT HIGHLIGHT
Remember to express gratitude to coaches, referees, managers and administrators. Their job is hard and many are volunteers, friends, and parents.

Thank someone you know today!



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