Shifting the anecdotal to empirical
The Soccer Lab’s mission is to generate and disseminate knowledge designed to best guide decision-making to further grow the beautiful game of soccer and transform the lives of all who participate.
Overseen by the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association, Soccer Lab is actively shifting the anecdotal to empirical as insights are gathered and answers to questions are identified through empirical endeavors.
Current Studies
The Soccer Lab has begun Phase 2 of the Let’s Play! study designed to measure the extent to which Let’s Play! affects academic achievement, attendance, and in-school behavior.
This study has been approved by the Towson University Institutional Review Board (approval # 3247).
Publications
Reducing Soccer Referees’ Administrative Burden Utilizing Technology: Discovering whether REFSIX reduces a soccer referees’ administrative burden, or not
The MSYSA Soccer Lab is proud to announce its latest publication, Reducing Soccer Referees’ Administrative Burden Utilizing Technology, now available for download on our website.
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Technological innovations continue to shape youth soccer in the U.S., and REFSIX is one such advancement making an impact. As the governing body for youth soccer in Maryland and D.C., MSYSA is committed to growing the game by improving referee experiences. Early results show that REFSIX helps reduce referees’ administrative workload and achieved a Net Promoter Score of 50, suggesting a positive reception. Further research will explore which administrative tasks are most affected and to what degree.
Measuring the Effect of Let’s Play!: Measuring and analyzing the effect of Let’s Play! on school attendance and performance for participating children in addition to overall family engagement.
The MSYSA Soccer Lab is proud to announce its latest publication, Measuring the Effect of Let’s Play!, now available for download on our website.
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The MSYSA Let’s Play! program is a low-cost, after-school initiative for 1st-5th grade students, designed to provide a safe, structured, and character-building soccer experience. This report highlights the program’s positive impact on school attendance, performance, and family-school engagement.
Key findings from the report include:
- Students enjoy school more while participating it Let’s Play!
- Students perform better, and exhibit improved behavior and attendance.,
- Family involvement with school leadership has increased
- The program received a high Net Promoter Score of 71.5.
Through Let’s Play’s!, character-building approach, the program cultivates a positive impact on both individual participants and the broader soccer community thus continuing to elevate MSYSA’s mission to transform lives through the beautiful game of soccer.
MSYSA Scholarship and Grant Programs: A Review of the First Years of Giving (2021-2024)
The MSYSA Soccer Lab is proud to announce its latest publication, MSYSA Scholarship and Grant Programs: A Review of the First Years of Giving (2021-2024), now available for download on our website.
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This comprehensive report highlights MSYSA’s mission to grow the game of soccer and transform lives through participation. To achieve this goal, MSYSA has focused on awarding scholarships and grants to reduce the financial barriers to participation and increase accessibility for players, coaches, and referees.
Key findings from the report include:
- Nearly $174,000 awarded in scholarships and grants between 2021 and 2024.
- Direct support provided to over 300 players, coaches, and referees, alongside assistance to nearly 90 member clubs.
- A remarkable 91.8% increase in player registrations and a 33.4% rise in licensed referees during this period.
- An estimated socio-economic Social Return on Investment (SROI) ranging from $522,000 to $21.5 million.
This report underscores the positive impact of MSYSA’s initiatives, showcasing how targeted funding can grow the game and enhance community development. Download the full publication today to learn more about these impactful programs.
