YOUTH SOCCER MONTH2005 Recap

About Youth Soccer Month

Recognizing the impact and importance the sport of soccer, the number one youth sport in the U.S., plays in the day-to-day lives of America’s families, US Youth Soccer coordinated the third annual “Youth Soccer Month” in September 2005.

Throughout Youth Soccer Month, a series of messages and themes were communicated to illustrate “Celebrating Soccer in America.” Each week focused on a different message:

• Fitness: the health and benefits of playing soccer• Friendship: the relationships and fun generated through soccer

that extend beyond the field• Family: playing soccer ties families together• Fun: regardless of the level, involvement in soccer is easy and

affordable

Youth Soccer Month Messages

Executive Summary

• Presidential Letter of Celebration• 22 - State Proclamations• 84 - Events during September

– 12 - Major League Soccer Events– 30 - Colleges with 58 Youth Soccer Month Nights – 16 - State Clinics

• Over 200,000 spectators attended Youth Soccer Month Events

• Over 15,000 visits to YouthSoccerMonth.org • Fox Soccer Channel

2005 Marketing Platform

MLS Event

College Events

Website

Sweepstakes &Premiums

State Clinics

National PR Platform

2003 – 2005 Event Comparison

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

2003 2004 2005

MLS Nights

State Clinics

Colleges

State Proclamations

Total Events

Over 200,000 spectators attended Youth Soccer Month events in 2005.

Number of Events per Category

Proclamations

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Connecticut

Delaware

Idaho

Illinois

Iowa

Kansas

Louisiana

Michigan

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

Ohio

• City Proclamation

Chicago, Illinois

President George Bush’s Letter of Celebration22 – States & 1 City Proclaimed September Youth Soccer Month

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Utah

Washington

Wisconsin

• State Proclamations

Proclamations

With the grassroots theme of Youth Soccer Month, the college events are vital to providing young players an opportunity to dream

• 30 Schools participated in 58 events

• Schools distributed Youth Soccer Month premiums

• Winners were given Youth Soccer Month prize packs

• PA announcements during the course of the match

• Over 60,000 fans enjoyed Youth Soccer Month events in 2005

• In 2003, five schools participated with 1200 fans supporting the events

College Program

Boston College

Bowling Green State University

Drexel University

Indiana University

Monmouth University

Ohio State University

Saint Louis University

SMU

Syracuse University

Texas Tech University

University of Arizona

University of Arkansas

University of Connecticut

University of Florida

University of Hartford

University of Maryland

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

University of Memphis

University of Michigan

University of Nebraska at Omaha

University of North Texas

University of Pennsylvania

University of Portland

University of Rhode Island

University of South Carolina

University of Toledo

University of Utah

Villanova University

West Virginia University

Yale University

College Participation

College Participation

Major League Soccer

Nine Major League soccer teams participated in 12 celebratory events with over 100,000 spectators enjoying Youth Soccer Month promotions during selected games.

• Colorado Rapids– Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items and hosted the Youth Soccer Month $10,000 Kick

• Columbus Crew– Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items

• DC United– Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items and hosted the Youth Soccer Month $10,000 Kick

• FC Dallas– Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items

• Kansas City Wizards (2)– Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items and hosted the Youth Soccer Month $10,000 Kick

• MetroStars (2)– Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items

• New England Revolution– Handed out Youth Soccer Month Premium items

• Real Salt Lake– Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items and hosted the Youth Soccer Month $10,000 Kick

• San Jose Earthquakes (2)– Handed out Youth Soccer Month Premium items

State Association Clinics

Eight state associations held 15 free clinics in September to provide additional opportunities for members to increase their skills while gaining exposure for Youth Soccer Month

•Eastern PA

•Idaho Youth Soccer Association

•Indiana Youth Soccer Association

•Missouri Youth Soccer Association

•New Jersey Youth Soccer

•New Mexico Youth Soccer

•United States Youth Soccer Nevada

•Utah Youth Soccer

Sweepstakes/Premiums

• WebDecoder Card Promotion

– 25,000 Cards were distributed

– Grand Prize Trip for four to the 2005 MLS Cup in Frisco, Texas

• Premiums/Gift Packs

– adidas Backpacks

– Youth Soccer Month T-Shirts

– Youth Soccer Month Stickers

– Youth Soccer Month Calendars

– Mini Stress balls

– Youth Soccer Month Rally Towels

– US Youth Soccer Wristbands

YouthSoccerMonth.org

Youthsoccermonth.org allows families and communities alike see the latest news and happenings regarding Youth Soccer Month

• Updated Youth Soccer Month Website• New Links included schedule of events • Up-to-Date Proclamation Listing• Youth Soccer Month Focused Articles

•3,000 Total Visits in September 2003

•Over 15,000 unique visits between August 15 and October 1, 2005

•A recent Google.com search resulted in over 18,000 references to Youth Soccer Month

National Media/PR

Several unique media activations were used during Youth Soccer Month

• Public Service Announcement with MLS Players

– PSA picked up by local news stations in 18 markets with household viewership more than 1.5 million

– PSA shown at :

• Major League Soccer Nights

• Fox Sports World/en Espańol (Fox Soccer Channel)

Getting Involved

• Contact your Mayor/Governor• Use your media resources• Reach out to your community• Present special awards• Work with the schools in your community• Engage your sponsors• Reach out to college and professional teams in your community• Reach out to other organizations• Submit an event to the Master Calendar on YouthSoccerMonth.org • Submit a story or other information for presentation on YouthSoccerMonth.org

• Use the official Youth Soccer Month logo on EVERYTHING!

2006 Initiatives

• Service and support the State Associations with their plans and initiatives

• Continue to work with Colleges and MLS teams

• Continue Sweepstakes program

• Continue to utilize YouthSoccerMonth.org

• Increase visibility and exposure on a national level