FULL WEBSITE COMING SOON!

 
 

VIRGINIA VALOR FC

TRAVEL SOCCER COLLABORATION

CYA_Purple.png
sya logo.png
IMG_2466.PNG

One Community - One Club - Stronger Together

Black Background

It is recognized by both CYA & SYA Travel Soccer that our organizations, if aligned in a thoughtful, progressive manner, will be stronger as a consolidated entity. Organizationally, this collaboration will create a sizable player pool that will provide the flexibility to make decisions that are in the best interest of player development. It will also allow us to better utilize resources, attract investment and additional sponsorships. 

 

Most importantly, our players will benefit from an aligned player pathway from

U7 - U23. This pathway will provide access to soccer programming in line with player abilities, ambitions, and commitment levels, providing the youth of our community with the best opportunities to develop to their full potential as players and people. Both CYA & SYA will continue to maintain their own independent recreational soccer programs, with the goal of providing those players who are able and wish to pursue travel soccer one singular travel soccer club, Virginia Valor FC.

 

With this understanding, CYA & SYA are committing to pursue a collaboration of the two clubs to form the new travel soccer partnership, Virginia Valor FC.

 
Black Background

BENEFITS

MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLAYERS

COACH & STAFF DEVELOPMENT

BENEFITS OF SCALE

LONG-TERM STRATEGIC
PLANNING

This collaboration affords players from both clubs, recreational to elite, to have access to greater development and programming options than if the two clubs would remain independent on their own. Offering CCL to our players also opens many doors.

This collaboration provides greater resources to take coach education and staff development to higher levels which neither club would otherwise have access to on their own, giving players a better playing experience.

There will be some valuable administrative and organizational efficiencies that result from the two collaborating organizations, which allows us to reinvest back into the player experience. Along with that, the collective fundraising power between CYA, SYA & Virginia Valor more increases significantly.

The combined travel club has more opportunities to undertake strategic projects in the future ranging from development of joint recreational events, tournaments and facilities, to  greater access to the game for our players.

BETTER PLACEMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT

EXPANDED COACHING STAFF

RECREATIONAL SOCCER

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Top players get a more competitive team, older players get better exposure to the top level, mid-level players will be in the best position for development, and beginner level travel player are able to play in non CCL and NPL leagues without that level of pressure.

With over 45 Staff Coaches that ability to coordinate practices, share expertise, network and grow our collective knowledge as a staff will be vital for the success of Virginia Valor. 

While CYA & SYA will continue to have their own separate recreational soccer programs our ability to do crossover leagues and events expands. We will also see more collaborative volunteer coach education opportunities.

The combined travel club will have the ability to better serve the community by sharing resources, community events, fundraisers for charities, give-back programs, toy donation drives, etc. We are excited to be actively engaged in our community!

 
 

TENTATIVE TIMELINE

ANNOUNCEMENT OF COLLABORATION

​

As new information is finalized, we will consistently update membership on how the organization is moving forward.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCH​

​

We are excited for the new webpage to go live with additional information about the new club/program.

TECHNICAL AND COACHING STAFF ANNOUNCED

​

As we continue to bring the two staffs together, we will be announcing our Technical and Coaching Staff for the 2021-2022 Season.

TRYOUT REGISTRATION

OPENS​

​

We want to ensure that all of our players are registered in time to tryout, and also be on our email list for updates as they become available.

TRYOUT DATES ANNOUNCED

​

Once registration is live, we will then be working to solidify tryout dates at both current CYA and SYA field locations.

UNIFORMS UNVEILED​

​

We are excited to launch brand new kits to formally make these two travel programs one, and to get the players excited for the new kits.

Black Background
 

QUESTIONS

Why is this happening and what is the rationale behind this partnership?

1. More opportunities for players: The driving force behind the collaboration lies in the opportunity for players from both clubs to have access to greater development and programming options than if the two clubs would remain independent on their own. Creating a larger pool of travel players will better provide opportunities for top teams to compete for State and Regional titles, and advancement into Regional and National Leagues. Combining our travel programs level will create significantly more options based on our scale to create creative programming options to enhance the player experience. The player experience is first and foremost the design behind the collaboration. 2. Coach and staff development: We believe our coaches and staff drive the player experience. This collaboration will provide more opportunities for the coaching staff to work together and create more specific programs that will enhance the level of coaching. Better coaching means better player experience which will in turn give Virginia Valor FC the opportunity to develop, retain and attract high quality coaches. 3. Benefits of scale: There will be some valuable administrative and organizational efficiencies that result from combining the two organizations. For example, consolidating office space will result in cost savings. These savings can be reinvested back into the organization, resulting in a more efficient structure that serves members in several important ways: 1) allowing our coaches and directors to be closer to the player experience by reducing some of their administrative duties that burden a good bit of their time today, and 2) more resources from a leadership and administrative standpoint that allows staff to perform at a higher level than before due to having more bandwidth to give more attention to their core duties. 4. Long-term strategic projects: Another benefit of the combined club is the potential to create resources to undertake strategic projects in the future ranging from development of playing facilities and complexes (SYA Sports Park), to providing more scholarships to give greater access to the game for our players, and creating and hosting our own set of annual tournaments. These examples are an illustration of the rationale behind the partnership. Note, the common denominator in all of these benefits lies in enhancement of the player experience. Our players are the core to the thought process behind the combination and the experience of our players and families will continue to be the focus as the combined club moves forward.



Is this combination a merger, acquisition, or partnership?

Our two clubs are coming together through a partnership. One club is not acquiring the other and the two clubs are being integrated to become a single entity from a structural, operational, and cultural point of view. The technical staff of CYA and SYA are already working together in creating this partnership. Both staffs are excited and eager to get started.



How will leadership and governance work for the new club?

Paul Ellis will be the Technical Director; Dylan Sutherland will be the Director of Soccer Operations for the Virginia Valor FC. There will be a VAVFC Executive Board comprised equally from staff of both CYA & SYA members of both current boards will combine to form a single executive board of directors for the combined club.



What does this mean for the 2021 Spring Season?

For the 2021 spring season players will continue to play at both CYA & SYA as normal until tryouts in May.



How will we register?

The club will be using the Demosphere registration system. The link will be made available families through the Valor website, CYA & SYA current soccer websites, informational emails and social media platforms. TRYOUT REGISTRATION IS OPEN! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER



Will we have to buy new uniforms?

Yes, as both CYA and SYA are both going into new uniform cycles for Fall 2021 the timing for new uniforms will remain the same. Virginia Valor FC will wear Adidas Uniforms. All uniform purchases will be made through Soccer.com, who will build a dedicated landing page for Valor Families. The webpage will have the required uniform pieces and a large selection of optional and fan wear items.



When will the new coaching slate be announced?

The coaching slate is available now!



Will there be a new website?

Yes! It is coming soon, but for now this splash page will have regular updates.



Will we still continue to have access to financial assistance?

Yes, the financial assistance process will continue as it exists today, which includes an annual application and review process.



What's next?

Follow us on social media (links on the menu) and make sure to register ASAP when the tryout registration opens!



Will the cost to play travel soccer at Virginia Valor FC change from what I am paying now?

While we are working through the budget we are making every effort to keep the cost to play at Valor as commensurate as possible with what both current CYA and SYA player fees.



What league will Virginia Valor teams play in?

Virginia Valor FC teams will play in the Club Champions League (CCL) and National Capital Soccer League (NCSL). The top two teams will compete in CCL Premiership and Championship, third & fourth tier teams in NCSL. Our first two U9-U10 Boys and Girls teams will play in the CCL Next Gen, third and fourth tier teams will play in NCSL.



Are all existing CYA & SYA players guaranteed a spot on a Virginia Valor team?

All existing CYA & SYA players will be offered a spot on a Virginia Valor FC team. While existing players will be offered a spot, the teams will be formed based on over performance of player (from CYA/CYA or from a different club) at tryouts. We will place players on a team where they have the best chance to develop and find success.



When and where will tryouts be held?

May, 2021 at current CYA & SYA fields. Specific tryout dates and locations will be announced later in the spring. TRYOUT REGISTRATION IS OPEN! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER



Can my player keep their current jersey number?

New numbers will be assigned to players.



Will my practice location change?

All SYA & CYA field allocations will remain the same. As all current Fairfax County field permits are in the Centreville, Chantilly, Sully District areas travel times to practice fields will not change greatly. Teams will have a variety of training fields.



CONTACT US

Thanks for submitting!