Utah Youth Soccer & Especially for Athletes Partner for Leadership Council Opportunities for UYSA Athletes
Utah Youth Soccer is excited to announce that we’ve expanded our partnership with Especially for Athletes (E4A) to develop a Leadership Council for Utah Youth Soccer Organizational Members and Clubs.
The Especially for Athletes program has been helping thousands of athletes of all ages and sports for over a decade learn how to better handle what they refer to as the "Sportlight" and how to lead in in a way that creates a positive, safe environment for their teammates, but also for those not involved in sports that they interact with daily in the community and at school. Topics like social media use, bullying, mental health in sports, cheating, drug abuse, accountability and resiliency are a focus of Especially for Athletes. Traditionally, Especially for Athletes has been a resource UYSA has relied on for leadership development at TOSH State Select (ODP) combines.
E4A approached UYSA about starting a leadership council with UYSA membership to provide an opportunity for leaders within our Member Organizations and Clubs throughout the State to enhance their leadership skills and become more than just a great athlete or player in their respective clubs. Utah Youth Soccer’s hope is that E4A will help these selected youth leaders in our Association and State master the skills to build and a develop a culture and behavior in our sport that will be a catalyst to positive change regarding certain issues we’ve seen within our leagues and events – issues such as poor referee treatment, racism towards opponents, poor sportsmanship on the field, etc.
"For over 5 years UYSA and Especially for Athletes have been doing something unique to youth sports. Over a thousand soccer players have joined the Eyes Up Do the Work movement and accepted the challenge from Especially for Athletes to lead with intent and not simply by default. We are excited to be able to reach more athletes and parents with the development of these Leadership Councils and to make the competitive soccer experience an even better one for coaches, parents and especially the players.” Especially for Athletes founder, Dustin Smith.
UYSA and E4A look to start this Leadership Council that will meet twice a year. There will be no charge to participate for Member Organizations or athletes. Member Organizations and Clubs will be asked to invite or recommend one male and one female representative for each age group from ages 12U – 17U. These representatives will meet with their counterparts from other clubs throughout the State during their council meetings to work through leadership development exercises and workshops.
"We are extremely excited to grow our partnership with E4A and extend the program's positive influence and message to our entire association. These leadership councils will be wonderful opportunities for our players to interact, grow, identify problems and solutions and take the E4A message back to their clubs and teammates." Utah Youth Soccer CEO, Bryan Attridge.
Clubs are asked to nominate athletes (4 athletes, 2 males/2 females in each age group) based on their previous leadership experience and qualities. Please use this form here to nominate an athlete.
Details on the first leadership council meeting will be forthcoming.
