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www.sportseventsmagazine.com 2016 Soccer Sourcebook 7 fter two summers of World Cup games and with the 2016 Summer Olympic Games quickly approaching, soccer has found a place in the national spot- light. "Soccer is continuously growing in participation and popularity," said Chris Moore, CEO of US Youth Soccer. "The continued excitement has defnitely contributed to the consistent growth within the youth game." That growth within the youth game has been evident with many organizations, including US Youth Soccer. The organiza- tion continues to register more than three million youth players (ages 5 to 19) each year. In fact, in 2014, the organization experienced a nine percent growth, meaning that more than four percent of the U.S. population 18 years old and younger played US Youth Soccer. "We are proud to have sustained over three million registered players annually since 2000," said Todd Roby, the organi- zation's director of marketing and commu- nications. To provide the best events possible, US Youth Soccer focuses on how to improve its offerings. They live stream their national championships and have partnered with Kohl's Department Stores to provide recre- ational players with an opportunity to com- pete in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere through the Kohl's American Cup, which will hit 45 cities this year. "This year and for the next few years, our national cham- pionships will be hosted at Toyota Soccer Complex in Frisco, Texas," added Moore. "We're very proud of that. In addition, this coming season our national league will increase from 160 to 256 teams as the league continues its success." US Youth Soccer is looking at ways to bring kids at the preschool level into the game. "Soccer is a sport that is very cost effcient, barriers to entry are low and it's a sport that teaches life lessons," Moore explained. "It's also one of the frst sports kids are introduced to at a very young age. Before many kids can throw a football or baseball they can kick a soccer ball. My kids started playing at the ages of 3 and 4, and I remember the smile on my son's face when he kicked his frst goal. We feel there is a real market for younger players, and we're looking at ways to include them in the organization in the near future." American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is also looking at ways to bring preschool-aged children into soccer with its Playground Soccer Program. The new offering is for ages 3 through 5 and uses group activities, soccer themes and parent participation to develop the fundamental motor skills that prepare kids for all sports. To best serve its 500,000-strong member- ship, AYSO offers annual training events for volunteers. "We are launching a new e-Learning program so volunteers can take classes from the comfort of their own homes," said Summer Mollo, AYSO's senior content marketing specialist. The e-Learning program teaches volunteers coaching, refereeing and how to manage a local AYSO program. "Volunteers have taken a lot of these skills being taught and applied them in their professional career," Mollo said. "This program helps ensure that every volunteer feels confdent in his/ her role and that they can provide the best possible learning experience on and off the feld." ► BEFORE MANY KIDS CAN THROW A FOOTBALL OR BASEBALL THEY CAN KICK A SOCCER BALL. 2 0 1 6 S O C C E R S P O T L I G H T US Club Soccer Hunter Dorton/US Youth Soccer