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SAY History


The Soccer Association for Youth was established 1967, in Cincinnati, Ohio. A group of eight people met to organize a youth soccer program, our first ever, Board of Directors. Each director had a great vision for the program and immediately saw the possibilities for a national program. Members from the Finneytown area of Cincinnati and a German Club, Schwaben, located in Western Hills, initially formed the SAY organization with approximately 400 players and 27 teams.

In the following 10 years soccer began to explode in the United States and this trend reflected in the SAY organization. By 1977 the organization had grown to 29,000 players in two states. SAY Soccer was steadily becoming a dominate power for recreational soccer in southern Ohio and northern Kentucky.

Through the 1980’s, organizational and playing rules were firmly established and player numbers remained on the rise, as 71,000 players and 4,731 teams were registered in 1988.

In the 1990’s, SAY Soccer continued to expand into several other states across the United States.  Now at 87,000 players, SAY moved to a simpler and refined Board of Directors, and most importantly, several committees were set in place for the good of the organization.

SAY breaks the 100,000 player mark in 2000 and provides support to more than 20,000 coaches, 8,000 referees and thousands of volunteers.

By 2008 SAY Soccer has peaked at over 116,000 players and 30,000 coaches, across the United States and continues to be "The" Leader in Recreational Soccer Support.

The next five years through 2013 SAY Soccer has a leveling off in the amount of participation and begins to see the climate in youth soccer shift to selective and premier type programming from the traditional grassroots recreational programs. During this time the SAY Soccer organization begins its first attempt at Adult soccer, Academy registrations and begins to strategize how it will adapt to the everchanging soccer landscape.

The year 2014 proves pivotal as a bevy of new National Partnerships are ushered in, financial stability and strength are prioritized, and SAY Premier programming is rolled out to the membership. In the next three years SAY Soccer continues to strengthen internally while providing members with never seen before degrees of flexibility and service. 

We are an organization filled with dedicated, passionate administrators, parents, players, coaches and referees who are completely committed to Kids Having Fun. We will remain flexible to meet your everchanging needs while providing the stability and backing of a national organization as a National Affiliate member of the US Soccer Federation.

As this fantastic organization prepares for our 50th Anniversary in 2017 we will remain committed to serving you, our loyal members.


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