State Affiliation
South Carolina Youth Soccer Association is one of 55 state associations of the United States Youth Soccer (US Youth Soccer) and United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The purpose of SCYSA is to develop, promote, and administer the game of soccer among players under the age of 19 years in the state of South Carolina. South Carolina is one of 12 National State Associations in Region III.
SCYSA only has 18,000 registered soccer players. Both Georgia and North Carolina have in excess of 60,000, while states like Texas & California have over 100,000.
Note: The soccer culture in as far as numbers, level of interest, commitment, development, infrastructure, and administration in South Carolina is below average when compared to the rest of the country!
SCYSA has a state council composed of representatives of clubs and the SCYSA Board of Directors.
The 13 member SCYSA Board of Directors consists of 4 officers elected by the state council (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer), 3 District Commissioners, Registrar, Recreation Director, Cups and Games Director, State ODP Administrator, Member-at-Large, and Rules and Compliance. The Board of Directors’ responsibility is to manage the affairs of SCYSA and enforce the bylaws, rules, policies, and procedures for SCYSA.
Districts
SCYSA is divided into three administrative districts: District 1 (Piedmont District), District 2 (Mid-State District) and District 3 (Coastal District). Each district is geographically defined, but may be realigned or new districts established by the SCYSA Board of Directors. Each club is a member of the district within whose boundaries it is located. Spartanburg area clubs are members of the Piedmont District.
Each District is represented on the SCYSA Board of Directors by the District Commissioner and is given authority to enforce the rules and bylaws of the SCYSA within its geographical area.
Each District has a District Council composed of a commissioner, a vice-president, a secretary, and representatives from each Club within the District. District officers are elected by the District Council.
SCYSA Membership, Registration Fees and Benefits
Membership in SCYSA is open to all soccer organizations, players, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators, volunteers, and officials without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, or national origin.
All SCYSA affiliated organizations are required to register every individual player, coach, team, and administrator in their organizations who participates in any SCYSA program with SCYSA. Registration fees for these members and teams, along with additional fees for player and team services, are the primary revenue source for the SCYSA. Fees range from $8 per recreational player and $20 per Select player to $25 for a player transfer and $50 for a Director of Coaches pass with other player, team, roster and coach fees in between. In return for the registration fee, SCYSA provides the official team rosters and player/coach passes that are required to participate in competition. Other benefits covered by the registration fees include:
- Secondary medical insurance coverage for all SCYSA members
- Field and Facility Liability Insurance Coverage
- Background checks of coaches, administrators, and volunteers
- Soccer programs for all ages and skill levels (recreational and competitive)
- Administrative assistance through the SCYSA office
- Tournament approval and sanctioning
- Direct affiliation with U. S. Soccer Foundation and U.S. Youth Soccer
Leagues
SCYSA defines a league as a “structured organization consisting of four or more teams joined for the purpose of play under a common set of administrative and competition rules.” Each league is a member of the District within whose geographic boundaries its chief administrative officer or president resides. Each league defines its own purpose, determines team eligibility and arranges competition among eligible teams accordingly. In accordance with its stated purpose, a league may arrange competition among teams from throughout the state (state-wide), from within a specific district, from within a specific club (in-house) or from primarily within its club, yet allowing other SCYSA clubs to participate (inter-house).
SCYSA is responsible for the sanctioning and administering of two state-wide leagues: SCSCL (South Carolina State Challenge League) and the PMSL (President’s Medal Soccer League). Both leagues arrange state-wide competition for boys and girls “classic” (Select) teams and open to properly registered and rostered players on teams in good standing with SCYSA. League registration fees go toward the league administrative costs which includes the rental of fields for league matches.
SCSCL - This league determines the South Carolina entry to the US Youth Soccer National Championship. By declaring its intent to participate in the SCSCL, a team is required to continue playing at state, regional or national cup matches in the same age group until they have been eliminated form the competition.
Cost of League Participation:
|
|
SCSCL
|
PMSL
|
CESA
|
|
Registration Fee
|
$550
|
$350
|
$250
|
|
Club Bond
|
$500 - $900
|
$500 - $750
|
NA
|
|
Team Bond
|
$500
|
$500
|
NA
|
State Championships, Presidents Cup & American Cup
Challenge State Cup
SCYSA Challenge State Cup (SCYS Publix Challenge Cup) is one step of the US Youth Soccer National Championship. This state level competition determines which U14 – U19 boys and girls SC Select teams advance to the US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Championship and ultimately to the US Youth Soccer National Championship. Eligible teams must have competed in the South Carolina State Challenge League or Region III Premier League.
Note: Carolina FC is the only Spartanburg Club to have won a State Championship and represent South Carolina at the Region Championships! Prior to this year Carolina FC was the only Spartanburg Club participating in this league. In 2007 the Upstate Soccer Alliance entered a team for the first time.
President’s Medal Cup
SCYSA President’s Medal Cup is an annual competition to determine the SCYSA President’s Medal Champions and who will represent SCYSA in the Region III President’s Cup. The tournament is open to classic teams but SCSCL or Premier teams are not eligible. For PMSL (Classic) team’s participation is optional.
Note: Over the years both Carolina FC & the Upstate Soccer Alliance have had several teams who were crowned Presidents Cup Champions.
American Cup
SCYSA American Cup is an annual competition of recreational teams held to determine which teams are SCYSA American Cup Champions. The tournament is open to SCYSA affiliated girls and boys recreation teams in the U10 – U19 age groups. Recreational teams may not use tryouts, invitations or recruiting to roster players selectively to any team on the basis of talent or ability.
Olympic Development / State Select
The Olympic Development Program was formed to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition; The process begins with tryouts at the state level at which a pool of players is normally selected. From this State pool a team is formed to compete at Regional’s against other states in Region III (12 States). A Region pool, and ultimately a Region III team will then be selected to compete against the three other Region teams (I, II, & IV). From these 4 teams a National pool is selected which will then provide the players that form your National team. National teams start as young as u14.
Note: Over the years both CFC and USA have had several individuals represent SC at the ODP level.
