MSYSA desires to grow the game of soccer, specifically at the grassroots level within underserved and under-resourced communities. MSYSA proudly offers Affiliate Grants designed to help affiliates to further grow the game of soccer within Maryland and DC, and are designed to help cover the costs of equipment required to start or maintain a soccer program in (e.g., soccer goals, balls, cones, etc.) In limited cases, Affiliate Grants may be awarded to help cover the costs of field rental/usage fees.

Purpose:

To grow the game of soccer in collaboration with our affiliates by financially helping to increase opportunities for participation within underserved and under-resourced communities within Maryland and DC.

Award Amounts:

Grant award amounts may vary (e.g., from $500 to $5,000).

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible, an organization must:

• Be an MSYSA affiliate.
• Be in good standing.
• Be able to demonstrate that all of their participants, to include players, coaches, and volunteers are properly registered with MSYSA.
• Follow MSYSA on social media.
• Agree to remain affiliated with MSYSA for the next 36 months.
• Provide a written status report and accounting of actual MSYSA Affiliate Grant expenditures within three (3) months of receipt of funding.

How to Apply:

• Step 1: Complete the online Affiliate Grant application form. (Opens September 26, 2025)
  • Applicants will provide a detailed description of the intended use of the grant funds to include the specific amount being requested and how this will further grow the game of soccer by providing additional opportunities for participation within Maryland and DC.
  • The application window will close on November 3, 2025.
• Step 2: Applications will be reviewed internally by a number of individuals.
  • The review process may require that the individual submitting the grant application be contacted in an effort to gather additional information.
• Step 3: Awardees will be notified by December 3, 2025.
  • Approved MSYSA Affiliate Grants will result in MSYSA issuing a paper check payable to the organization that was awarded the grant and will be mailed to the individual whose name appears on the application form using the mailing address provided.
  • Awardees can either utilize the grant funds during the current seasonal year, or the coming seasonal year.

Additional Details:

Submitting a grant request is not a guarantee of being awarded a grant. MSYSA reserves the right to deny a grant application for any reason at any time. In the unlikely event that a grant awardee leaves MSYSA or ceases operations within 36 months of having been awarded the grant, some, if not all, of the awarded funds may be required to be returned to MSYSA.

Maryland State Youth Soccer has a coaching education program designed to meet your player development guidelines and the curriculum laid out by US Soccer.  The program is suited for the new volunteer coach just starting out to those pursuing the highest level in their field.

Maryland State Youth Soccer provides a variety of opportunities for continuing education and development for coaches.  Locally, we offer  in-person 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 and D License courses regularly. Maryland State Youth Soccer has hosted USSF C License courses and pursues every opportunity to host any applicable level of license.  Additionally, there are a number of online coaching education courses available.

For further details, check out our coaching education section: HERE

Coach Beyond Maryland: Supporting Student-Athlete Mental Health

The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program is a national identification and development program for high-level players.  The program identifies  and develops youth players throughout the country to represent their state and regional associations.  At the state association level, pools of players are identified in each eligible age group, and brought together as a team to develop their skill through training and competition.  From the state pools and subsequent teams, players are identified for regional and national pools and teams.  Maryland State ODP teams are comprised of some of the best Maryland players in various age group.

MSYSA believes there is nothing is more important than the safety of our children. We greatly appreciate the roles that administrators, coaches, referees, and volunteers play in offering youth athletes from all backgrounds the opportunity to play soccer. An integral part of these roles is taking steps to ensure the safety of the participants. Collectively, we are responsible for providing a playing environment that is healthy, non-threatening, and free from emotional, physical or sexual abuse.

In compliance with The Safe Sport Act, which expands existing mandated youth abuse reporting laws and requires abuse awareness training for youth sports organizations, and in accordance with U.S. Soccer’s Safe Soccer Framework guidelines, MSYSA has implemented our own Safe Soccer program.

MSYSA is committed to creating a safe, healthy and positive environment for its participant’s physical, emotional and social development.  As part of this commitment, MSYSA has implemented standards as part of risk management requirements for a Player Safety Program that includes policies, procedures, comprehensive background screenings, education and training, reporting, and monitoring and enforcement.  The only way to ensure compliance is for all members to follow the same requirements for the safety and well-being of all participants.

Clubs have the opportunity to sanction their tournaments with MSYSA and to promote their tournaments on the MSYSA website. Click here for MSYSA sanctioned tournaments.

Heffelfinger Scholarship

The MSYSA Heffelfinger Scholarship recognizes and honors the coaches, players, administrators, referees and other volunteers who selflessly give of their time, energy, and abilities. The Heffelfinger Scholarship is designed to further grow the game of soccer within Maryland and DC specifically at the amateur youth, scholastic level.

Purpose:

To grow the game of soccer by helping to reduce the financial burden of participation.

Scholarship Amounts:

Individual scholarship award amounts may vary (e.g., from $50 to $500).

Eligibility:

To be eligible, an individual must:

• Be registered with MSYSA or the State Youth Referee Administrator as one of the following:
  • An administrator.
  • A coach.
  • A player.
  • A referee.
  • A volunteer.
• Be in good standing with MSYSA.
• Follow MSYSA on social media.

How to Apply:

• Step 1: Complete the online Heffelfinger Scholarship application form
  • Applicants will provide a detailed description of the intended use of the scholarship funds to include the specific amount being requested and how this will further improve their ability to participate in the game of soccer in Maryland and DC.
  • The Heffelfinger Scholarship is offered as a rolling opportunity. Eligible individuals may complete the application form at any time.
• Step 2: Applications will be reviewed internally by a number of individuals.
  • The review process may require that the individual submitting the grant application be contacted in an effort to gather additional information.
• Step 3: Awardees will be notified every few weeks.
  • Approved MSYSA Heffelfinger Scholarship applications will result in MSYSA issuing a paper check payable to the individual that was awarded the scholarship and will be mailed to the individual whose name appears on the application form using the mailing address provided.

Additional Details:

Submitting a scholarship request is not a guarantee of being awarded a scholarship. MSYSA reserves the right to deny a scholarship application for any reason at any time

ODP Scholarships

All ODP players are eligible to apply for need-based financial aid through the MSYSA office. Awards come in partial or full scholarship; a service project must be planned and completed by the player. All complete applications must be received by the first Friday in December to be eligible.

Full details may be found on the ODP Fees & Financial Assistance page. 

These resources are provided to our members in order to help them promote their clubs and teams through social media. Please feel free to contact our Marketing and Communications Coordinator at communications@msysa.org with ideas on addition topics to cover.

Social Media Kits

Zero Abuse Campaign

Social Media Videos

How to Post a TikTok

Instagram Stories Tutorial

Instagram Reels Tutorial

Social Media Webinar 1

• The Importance of Engagement
• Various Platforms and how they Work
• Ways to Engage through Social
• KPI’s
• How We Work Together 

Social Media Webinar 2 (October 5, 2022)

• TikTok
• Instagram Reels
• Instagram Stories
• Call to Actions

Social Media Webinar 2 Pdf

MSYSA offers two state run tournaments each seasonal year: Presidents Cup and State Cup. Teams participating in State Cup and Presidents Cup, have the opportunity to advance to US Youth Soccer regional and national competitions.