Seattle Youth Soccer Association

What Seattle Youth Soccer Association does

Seattle Youth Soccer Association (SYSA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) youth soccer organization (EIN #91-1806443) founded in 1969 and headquartered at 301 Northeast 100th Street in Seattle, Washington. It serves more than 12,500 youth players annually across Seattle and Shoreline through a federated structure of 12 geographically-bounded neighborhood recreational clubs, one citywide competitive club (Seattle United, chartered 2009) offering select, premier, and ECNL-level play, and one citywide TOPSoccer program for players with disabilities. SYSA's product portfolio spans seasonal recreational leagues (Fall League U10–U16, Spring Soccer U6–U19, League Washington U17–U19), tournaments (City Tournament since 1969, All-City Jamboree), supplemental development programs (Player Development Academy, Skills Academy, camps), and the Soccer In Schools outreach initiative with Seattle Public Schools.

SYSA generates revenue primarily through per-player and per-team registration fees across leagues, tournaments, and academies, supplemented by corporate sponsorships (notably Darigold FIT as official uniform and tournament sponsor since 2023) and partnership-funded programs (DP Open/DP Foundation heart screenings and Soccership financial aid). Pricing is unit-based and varies by age group — for example, Spring Soccer team fees range from $375 (U6–U7) to $500 (U11+), Skills Academy is $175 per player per 6-week session, and TOPSoccer is $30 per player per season with scholarships available. Distribution operates through the neighborhood club network, with centralized online registration via Demosphere, and the organization is supported by hundreds of volunteer coaches, managers, and board members, with only 1–10 paid staff.

Technology is explicitly noted as not applicable to the organization's recreational youth sports mission. Marketing is community-led, relying on neighborhood club networks, school partnerships, word-of-mouth, social media (Instagram), and email newsletters. SYSA is governed by a board of directors under Executive Director David Griffiths and President Dave Funke, and it operates within the Washington Youth Soccer federation, participating in League Washington as a governance partner for U17–U19 recreational play.

Name

Seattle Youth Soccer Association

Legal name

Seattle Youth Soccer Association

Website

https://sysa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Seattle Youth Soccer Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 that runs youth soccer leagues, tournaments, and development programs for over 12,500 players ages 5–19 across Seattle and Shoreline through 12 neighborhood clubs and a competitive club (Seattle United).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Soccer Programs

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Amateur Sport Governing Bodies & Federations (National/Regional) (MPAKACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH), International Multi-Sport Games Organizing Committees (e.g., Olympics, Commonwealth) (MPAKADAJ)

Keywords

• Youth soccer leagues
• Recreational soccer programs
• Competitive youth soccer
• Youth sports administration
• Community soccer clubs

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Player and Team Registration Fees: SYSA generates revenue through seasonal registration fees from individual players and teams participating in recreational leagues (Fall, Spring), tournaments (City Tournament, All-City Jamboree), and programs (TOPSoccer, Skills Academy, Camps). Fees vary by age group and program type.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: SYSA receives sponsorship support from companies like Darigold FIT, which provides uniforms, products, and funding for city-wide soccer events and camps. Sponsorships help offset costs and provide scholarships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SYSA is a nonprofit umbrella organization that organizes and delivers youth soccer leagues, tournaments, camps, and skills development programs for children and teens ages 5-19 across Seattle and Shoreline. Programming is delivered through 12 neighborhood recreational clubs, a citywide competitive club (Seattle United) for Select/Premier/ECNL play, and a citywide TOPSoccer program for players with disabilities. Revenue is generated via per-player and per-team registration fees plus corporate sponsorships, with volunteer coaches enabling participation.

Product overview

Seattle Youth Soccer Association (SYSA) is a nonprofit governance organization offering youth soccer programs for children aged 5-19 across Seattle and Shoreline. The organization operates a multi-tiered portfolio of recreational and competitive programs including seasonal leagues (Fall League, Spring Soccer, League Washington), tournaments (City Tournament since 1969, All City Jamboree), and supplemental development programs (Player Development Academy, Soccer Camps, Spring Skills Academy). SYSA also supports players with disabilities through TOPSoccer and provides community outreach via the Soccer in Schools program. The competitive arm, Seattle United, offers Select and Premier level play. Programs are delivered through 12 neighborhood recreational clubs and one citywide competitive club.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Seattle United: Citywide competitive club overseeing regional select, premier, and Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) programs, chartered by SYSA in 2009.
• TOPSoccer
• League Washington
• Player Development Academy (PDA)

Products and services

• Fall League (U10-16 Rec) Recreational soccer league running September through November for players aged 10-16, featuring citywide competition and a season-ending city tournament.
• Spring Soccer (U6-19 Rec) Modified recreational developmental games running April through June for players aged 6-19, offering an off-season opportunity to play soccer and improve skills.
• League Washington (U17-19 Rec) Recreational youth soccer league established in 2023 for high school athletes (U17-U19), providing an active social outlet with streamlined administration and limited travel.
• Seattle United (U8-19 Select & Premier) Competitive citywide club providing soccer training and competitive play at Premier and Select levels, with teams competing in ECNL and Regional Club League, plus supplemental training (PDA, SAQ, goalkeeping).
• All City Jamboree (U8-9 Rec) Annual round-robin tournament for U8 and U9 recreational teams held in November, celebrating the fall season in partnership with Seattle United.
• City Tournament (U10-19 Rec) Largest modified double-elimination tournament of its kind in the state, running since 1969, allowing U11+ recreational teams to finish the season with guaranteed additional games under tournament atmosphere.
• The PDA - Player Development Academy (U6-U13) Supplemental 6-week seasonal program open to SYSA rec players, focusing on technical and tactical development through focused training sessions on specific topics.
• Soccer Camps (U7-U13) Various soccer camps offered year-round by Seattle United including summer camps, Holiday Camp in December, and Spring Break Camp, providing skill improvement opportunities with guided sessions and camp-wide activities.
• Spring Skills Academy (U6-U8) Skills introduction and development program for U6-U8 players, offering professional coaching with players in small groups based on age and experience, followed by soccer games.
• TOPSoccer (Disability Soccer) Recreational sports program for children with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities, providing inclusive soccer participation with volunteer buddies (typically high school students) assisting on the field.
• Outreach & Schools Program Community partnership between SYSA, Seattle United, and Seattle Public Schools bringing soccer into elementary school PE classes since 2011, plus after-school programs and high school support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12,500+ players served annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Darigold FITcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Darigold FIT serves as official uniform sponsor for 1000 SYSA players (500 at Hillwood and 500 at Capitol Hill clubs), sponsor of 'Darigold FIT Coach of the Year' awards, presenting partner of SYSA City Tournament, and official sponsor of Seattle United summer camp program. Provides jerseys, products, signage, and funding for city-wide soccer events and camps.
• DP Open / DP FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership to raise awareness for sudden cardiac arrest and provide heart screenings. DP Open hosts annual fundraising events with proceeds supporting Nick of Time Foundation heart screenings and Soccership program helping families afford soccer. David Griffiths, SYSA Executive Director, serves on advisory board.
• Arena Sports Magnuson ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArena Sports donates fields and equipment for TOPSoccer program, enabling players with disabilities to participate with minimal operating costs.
• Seattle Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoccer in Schools program brings the beautiful game into elementary school PE classes district-wide. SYSA and Seattle United co-fund the program run by Community Outreach Director Carlos Enriquez. Services provided free of charge to students and schools since 2011.
• Seattle UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeattle United is a nonprofit competitive club chartered by SYSA in 2009. Provides supplemental training programs (PDA, SAQ, goalkeeping), assists with recreational coach development, and offers recreational player training options. Premier teams compete in ECNL and Regional Club League.
• Seattle Parks and RecreationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host 5v5 Jamboree events in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, such as the June 20th World Cup celebration event at Magnuson Park.
• Washington Youth SoccercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSYSA participates in League Washington, a recreational youth soccer league developed with Washington Youth Soccer for U17-U19 players. WYS provides league management, match scheduling, and oversight. SYSA also participates in rule updates and league governance with WYS.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• LeagueApps: Digital platform providing registration, scheduling, and league management for youth sports organizations including SYSA. Acts as enabling infrastructure and an emerging competitive threat to traditional amateur youth sports governance models.

Broad incumbents

• US Youth Soccer: National governing body for youth soccer in the United States and the top-of-hierarchy peer. Sets rules, sanctions national leagues, and charters state associations of which SYSA is an indirect member via Washington Youth Soccer.
• Washington Youth Soccer: The state-level amateur soccer governing body under US Youth Soccer. Direct strategic partner with SYSA on League Washington, providing league management and oversight — the closest umbrella-tier peer in the same governance hierarchy.

Direct peers

• Seattle United FC: Wholly-owned SYSA affiliate club since 2009 overseeing regional select, premier, and ECNL programs for U8-U19. Included here as the in-house competitive counterpart; structurally a subsidiary but functionally operates as a comparable travel club.
• Eastside Youth Soccer Association (EYSA): Regional amateur youth soccer association serving the Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland) under the same Washington Youth Soccer umbrella. Operates a federation of neighborhood clubs serving recreational and select players in a directly adjacent Seattle-area market.
• San Francisco Youth Soccer (SFYS): Regional youth soccer organization in San Francisco running recreational leagues, select programs, and citywide tournaments. Highly comparable federation model with neighborhood club structure serving a similar urban Pacific-coast market.
• Issaquah Soccer Club: Eastside-area competitive and recreational youth soccer club offering ECNL, select, and recreational programs for ages U7-U19. Comparable federation-adjacent club competing for the same regional player pool.
• Portland Youth Soccer (Thelo): Regional youth soccer organization in Portland metro operating recreational leagues, tournaments, and competitive pathways through affiliated clubs. Directly comparable in mission, federation structure, and recreational-to-select pathway model.

Regional players

• Oregon Youth Soccer: State-level amateur soccer governing body for Oregon, structurally identical to Washington Youth Soccer and a parallel to SYSA's own state-level umbrella. Comparable on governance, club chartering, and recreational league management.

Emerging players

• Crossfire Premier: Competitive/travel soccer club operating in the Puget Sound region with ECNL, Regional Club League, and select programs. Captures the competitive tier of the same player pool SYSA serves through Seattle United.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/seattleyouthsoccer
• Facebookfacebook.com/seattleyouthsoccerassociation1969
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seattle-youth-soccer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Seattle Youth Soccer Association