Dear <<First Name>>,
 
At their January 2019 Special Meeting, US Youth Soccer (USYS) approved a two-year, two-step increase in their player registration fee, effective for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 fiscal year. The first increase in nearly 15 years of the association was a change from the previous $1.00 per registered player to $1.50 in 2018-2019 and $2.25 in 2019-2020, and was imposed on all 55 state associations. USYS increased their player fee to continue providing a number of current benefits and services, and to develop and offer new ones to registered players, member clubs, and leagues in the coming years.
 
For Cal North, the $1.25 net increase was absorbed and not passed onto Cal North membership in 2018-2019 or in the current 2019-2020 year.  Over the past few months, the Board began fee discussions for the 2020-2021 season and future years.  The financial impact of the $1.25 increase is an approximate $150,000 increase in expense to the Cal North budget.
 
At a Special Meeting of the Cal North Board of Directors on October 29, 2019, the Board approved a change to simplify the Cal North Registration Fees for the 2020-2021 budget year (September 1, 2020 – August 31, 2021).  The Board revised the 2020-2021 registration fees to the following amounts:

2019-2020 (Current)
Recreation (age up to U8) 
$9.25            

Recreation (age U9 to U19)
$11.25

Competitive (age up to U11)
$17.25

Competitive (age U12 to U19)
$22.25 

NOTE:  The registration fee for TOPSoccer, all ages, will remain the same at $8.50.  There is no registration charge for coaches and staff.
 
With the $1.25 per player fee increase, USYS is investing more in the areas of recreational soccer (e.g. recreation, futsal, pre-K and in-school programming). The USYS Growth Initiatives include:

• Improvements to Tournament Equipment and Event Infrastructure ($500k)
• Launching a new Marketing Campaign, with direct assistance to the State Associations, while driving Awareness of Member States, Clubs, Leagues and Teams to help Grow Membership ($300k)
• Recreational Grants and Grassroots Programs Development ($300k)
• Membership Training ($200k)
• ODP National Training Camp ($200k)
• Organizational Growth Initiatives ($100k) 

• National Championship Series (a “carrot” for State Cup)
• National Presidents Cup (a “carrot” for State PCUP)
• Olympic Development Program (linked to State ODP)
• USYS Workshops (LDS, Education Sessions, Awards Gala)
• Leadership Summit
• Financial and Consultation Support
• Group Discount on Excess Accidental Medical Insurance
• Free SAT/ACT Prep Courses from eKnowledge
• Free AIMS Risk Management & Player Safety Tool along with sexual abuse training
• Online Education Courses
• Video Production Services
• In-School Physical Activity Programs

See USYS benefits.

In addition to the USYS programs, Cal North will be providing new initiatives, programs and program assistance for our member leagues, clubs, teams, coaches, players, and referees.  The Cal North membership will benefit from the combined reinvestment in grassroots soccer as well as targeted initiatives to grow youth soccer for all.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at kscott@calnorth.org or Executive Director Ben Jay at bjay@calnorth.org.

Sincerely,

Kenyatta Scott
Chairman