News
USYS NATIONAL GRASSROOTS CURRICULUM APP
FRISCO, Texas (June 7, 2022) - US Youth Soccer (USYS) and MOJO Sports announced today the launch of a national player development curriculum to be used by recreational soccer coaches across all of US Youth Soccer’s 400,000 volunteer coaches and 2 million recreational players. The new digital curriculum, the first of its kind, will be delivered exclusively through MOJO’s mobile app and will ensure youth soccer players across the country have age-appropriate, engaging, and inclusive playing experiences.
MOJO’s mobile app, the trusted grassroots coaching app of the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, FC Barcelona, and NFL Flag Football, among others, will provide practice plans and educational content for youth coaches, players, and families that are tailored specifically for their teams. The MOJO app, which launched in early 2021, has shown powerful early results in improving player satisfaction and retention for youth athletes, and received last year’s Webby Award as the best app in all of sports.
“Providing consistent, high-quality playing experiences for every one of our youth players is our primary goal at USYS,” said Skip Gilbert, CEO of US Youth Soccer. “Our collaboration with MOJO allows us to make sure every youth coach is equipped with a proven tool to help their players learn the game, and every grassroots player has a consistently excellent experience, regardless of their playing history or access to great facilities.”
“From the time MOJO launched just over a year ago, US Youth Soccer has been a tremendous partner and supporter of our mission,” said Ben Sherwood, CEO of MOJO. “Their national player development curriculum is a significant and ambitious step forward for youth soccer. We’re so honored to bring it to life through MOJO so that every kid has the opportunity to become the very best he or she can be.”
US Youth Soccer will make its national player development curriculum available to its member state associations, leagues, clubs, and teams beginning this fall season. Starting then, USYS recreational coaches across the country will be able to download and use the MOJO app to access a week-by-week developmental curriculum created specifically for their teams. The custom practice plans, which utilize MOJO’s award-winning videos and decades of USYS coaching expertise, are accessible to coaches with just a couple taps. The practice plans will exist alongside the scheduling, chat and youth sports content that is already built into the MOJO app.
“This is such an important step for USYS and all of its members,” said Evan Dabby, Executive Director of New Jersey Youth Soccer. “Our state association is laser focused on supporting the grassroots and volunteer coaches to make their role easier and more successful, since they are the key to helping new generations of kids develop a love of the game. We partnered with MOJO to pilot a recreation curriculum this past season and we continue to be excited by the impact we’re making together on the experience of our coaches and players.”
The MOJO app is available on iOS and Android platforms. To learn more about MOJO, visit mojo.sport or follow MOJO on social media via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. To get MOJO for your youth sports organization, visit https://www.mojo.sport/organizations.
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About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer)
US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers nearly 3 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and nearly 1 million administrators, coaches, and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. We Are Youth Soccer.
About MOJO
MOJO is on a mission to make youth sports more fun for everyone – one kid, one coach, one team at a time. Launched in February 2021, MOJO is a robust digital platform that empowers parents who coach youth sports to bring world-class training to the largest pool of players in the world – kids aged 13 and under. Supporting more than 250,000 families in its first year, MOJO believes that youth sports has the power to transform lives, not just for the kids on the field but the coaches and parents on the sidelines. MOJO is committed to equity, inclusion and helping to level the playing field for kids everywhere. MOJO’s partnerships include MLB, the NBA, NFL FLAG, FC Barcelona, US Youth Soccer, SAY Soccer, Positive Coaching Alliance and more. For more information, visit www.mojo.sport.
NORTH DAKOTA SOCCER ASSOCIATION PARTNERS WITH SPORTS CONNECT
North Dakota Soccer Association Partners With Sports Connect To Advance The Game Using Innovative Technology (click for landing page)
North Dakota Soccer Association (NDSA), the governing body for US Youth Soccer in the state, has announced a new five year partnership with Sports Connect to grow and advance the game of soccer in North Dakota. Sports Connect, powered by Stack Sports, will provide technology solutions for the state association, NDSA member clubs and associations, and the participating players, coaches, families, and volunteers.
Sports Connect is a key component of the U.S. Soccer Connect mission of growing participation and advancing the sport of soccer in conjunction with U.S. Soccer. The U.S. Soccer Connect initiative consists of leading services powered by Stack Sports connecting every level of the soccer pathway. It represents the largest commitment of technology and sport resources to any project in American sports history.
“Over the last year, one of our top priorities has been to secure a technology partner who can help us ensure our members access to superior club management with best-in-class support to keep their season running smoothly and ultimately grow the game of soccer in North Dakota,” said Tom Marcis, President of NDSA. “After meeting with and viewing multiple platforms, we are pleased to announce our new partnership with Sports Connect as the Exclusive Technology Provider of North Dakota Soccer Association. We know with Stack Sports we have secured a partner who is best positioned to serve our membership in growing the sport.”
As an official partner of NDSA, Sports Connect will serve as the participation growth platform for both the state office and its member clubs.
“We are proud to partner with North Dakota Soccer Association to help grow participation in the state,” said Adam Abney, General Manager of Sports Connect. “NDSA has been inspiring a passion for soccer in their communities for decades, having an undeniable impact on the growth of the sport in North Dakota. Together through this new partnership, we will help give even more players the opportunity to play through innovative technology that makes managing each season easier.”
Affiliated associations and clubs partnering with Sports Connect will have access to a full suite of features, including industry leading business insights tools, mobile-first registration, seamless data integration with NDSA, safety and compliance tracking, professional website designs, secure online payment processing, and more.
Many soccer clubs affiliated with NDSA have already chosen Sports Connect for their club management needs, and many more are already upgrading to the go-forward platform. NDSA has long-term goals to grow and win back some of its membership over the next few years, and believes that Sports Connect is the conduit to help prime this growth.
When your club is ready to take advantage of the benefits of this new exclusive partnership, contact the Sports Connect team at https://sportsconnect.com/north-dakota-soccer-association/.
About North Dakota Soccer Association
North Dakota Soccer Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to be the statewide sponsor of its member clubs for both recreational, competitive and amateur adult soccer. In the past North Dakota Soccer has represented over 7,000 youth and adult soccer players, 500 coaches, and 150 referees throughout the state of North Dakota. North Dakota State Soccer consists of various clubs state-wide who register players (boys and girls) from ages four (4) through nineteen (19) on the youth side and any age on the adult side. North Dakota State Soccer is one of a few state associations that handle both the youth and adult programs out of a single office. This creates members of all ages working together statewide for the same vision, mission and values.
About Stack Sports (click for landing page)
With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations. Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars — Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit www.stacksports.com.
DAKOTA ODP WILL BEGIN USING TRAINING CENTERS
Dakota ODP will begin using Training Centers
Dakota ODP in an effort to streamline the identification and scouting of players in 2022 will begin using training centers.
What is a training center?
An opportunity for any player to train and play with players in their birth year and gender that have been either recommended by their club or are interested in the program.
Who can participate?
Through a process with Dakota ODP Staff. Clubs will have the opportunity to recommend players to attend a Training Center. However, each training center is also open to any player to experience.
What birth years can participate?
Boys and Girls born in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 2009. 2010, 2011
How much do they cost?
$50/training center – 2 training sessions
Who coaches the players at a Training Center?
A combination of local staff and Dakota ODP Staff
Can a player attend more than one training center in multiple locations?
Yes, each training center costs $50 to attend.
Will my son or daughter receive an evaluation from the training center session and the Dakota ODP Training Camp?
Yes. – within 2 weeks
Will there be future Training Center opportunities in my community? There’s only one close to where I live.
Yes, our long term goal with this structure is to have continuous ODP opportunities throughout the year with more Training Centers added to the calendar.
For those players not selected to the Dakota ODP Training Camp, they will still have the opportunity to attend a Training Center to improve and be identified for future ODP events/programming.
How do I register?
Registration will be done through the Dakota ODP website. CLICK ON REGISTER IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER
What if I can’t make any of the training centers?
Based on a recommendation from your club or high school program you will be invited to the Dakota ODP Training Camp. Past participation in the program will also be considered.
If you were unable to make a training center, due to your high school season. You do not need to be recommended to attend the training camp. Any high school age player recommended or not, can attend the training camp.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE LEAGUE
NORTH DAKOTA STATE LEAGUE FALL-SPRING 2022-23
General Format:
• Age divisions: U9, U10, U11, & U12
• Gender: boys and girls.
• Each age/gender division will be divided into subdivisions East & West. NDSL Commissioner can create extra subdivisions or combine age groups based on number of teams available.
• Each registered team will play 4-6 games.
• Games will be played over 2-3 weekends and weeknights to account for geography and logistics. Clubs can participate in weekends of their choice and/or play local matches on weeknights. All scheduling will go through the NDSL Commissioner.
• NDSL is a developmental Rec Plus League. Larger clubs should enter their none traveling teams.
• We encourage teams/clubs seeking higher competition to participate in the South Dakota DPL (Dakota Plains League). SD is open to more ND participation and expanded ND hosting locations.
Age Group Team Fees: Per team Fee Roster Size
U9 $85 10
U10 $85 10
U11 $200 16
U12 $200 16
Schedule:
• Sept 10-11, 2022 Weekend 1 Fall (1 East location, 1 West location)
• Sept 24-25, 2022 Weekend 2 Fall (1 East location, 1 West location)
• Oct 8-9, 2022 Weekend 3 Fall (East-West Crossover, One Location)
• May 6-7, 2023 Weekend 1 Spring (1 East location, 1 West location)
• May 20-22, 2023 Weekend 2 Spring (1 East location, 1 West location)
• June 10-11, 2023 Weekend 3 Spring (East-West Crossover, One Location)
• Weekends may be added to account for bad weather.
• Member Clubs are eligible to host weekend events & will not be charged a hosting fee.
• Hosting club will not be responsible to schedule or pay referees.
• Commissioner will work with clubs to assure a balanced hosting schedule.
• Commissioner will work with clubs to construct a geographically balanced schedule.
Cancellation:
• Clubs are strongly encouraged to abide by the commissioner’s schedule.
• Cancellation or change of time/location of any game shall be requested of the commissioner a minimum of 72 hour prior to scheduled game time.
• Commissioner has final decision on all game times and location.
Clubs – Potential
East
Jamestown Soccer Club – Jamestown, ND
Valley City Soccer Club – Valley City, ND
Tri-City United Soccer Club – Fargo, ND
Greater Grand Forks Soccer Club – Grand Forks, ND
Red River Soccer Club – Fargo, ND
Lisbon/Oaks/Ellendale/Forman/LaMoure
West
Minot Soccer Club – Minot, ND
Mandan Soccer Club – Mandan, ND
Dickinson Soccer Club – Dickinson, ND
Williston Soccer Club – Williston, ND
Magic Soccer FC – Bismarck
Washburn Soccer – Washburn, ND
Dakota United Soccer Club – Bismarck