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Barbie Names “Women in Sports” as 2023 Career of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lexington, Kentucky – Barbie, the iconic doll that has inspired generations of children, announced “Women in Sports” as the 2023 Career of the Year. This initiative by Mattel aims to shine a spotlight on the achievements and opportunities for women in the sports industry. To commemorate this honor, Barbie launched a collection of four special dolls representing different roles within the world of sports.

The “Women in Sports” career collection includes dolls dressed to represent four-sports related careers and, more broadly, to encourage girls to pursue involvement in sports which can help develop life skills and raise confidence, the company said. Among the “team” of new dolls are General Manager Barbie, Coach Barbie, Referee Barbie and Sports Reporter Barbie.

“This year, knowing that women are severely underrepresented in the sports industry – from positions on the field to leadership in the locker room – Barbie is proud to introduce the Women in Sports lineup as the 2023 Career of the Year,” said Mattel in a release.

The importance of this initiative extends beyond the dolls themselves. It serves as an inspiring reminder for young girls everywhere, including those in Kentucky Youth Soccer (KYSA), that they can achieve greatness in any field they choose. It encourages them to dream big, break barriers, and pursue careers that may have seemed out of reach in the past.

“We’re thrilled to see Barbie championing women in sports. This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission at Kentucky Youth Soccer, where we aim to empower young girls to excel in soccer and beyond. These dolls remind us all that the sky is the limit for young dreamers”, said Karrington True, Director of Marketing at Kentucky Youth Soccer. “I didn’t have anything like this growing up. Now a little girl takes Barbie out of the box and can see herself doing that job… it’s special.”

The “Women in Sports” Barbie dolls are more than just toys; they are symbols of empowerment and inspiration. As they find their way into the hands of children, they carry the message that girls can achieve greatness, no matter the field they choose to explore. To celebrate this, Kentucky Youth Soccer (KYSA) is giving away three sets of the “Women in Sports” Barbie Doll Collections. To enter to win, follow @KYYouthSoccer on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter), like the giveaway post on social media, and sign up HERE. The giveaway is open to individuals with athletes affiliated with KYSA and will close Tuesday December 19th @ 11:59pm ET.

ABOUT KENTUCKY YOUTH SOCCER

The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA) is the premier organization dedicated to promoting and developing soccer across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. With a mission to grow and promote soccer in Kentucky, KYSA provides a wide range of programs and initiatives to inspire excellence, sportsmanship, and character in youth athletes. From grassroots to elite levels, Kentucky Youth Soccer offers opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and administrators to thrive in a positive and inclusive environment. With over 40,000 youth players, 6,000 active coaches, and a network of more than 83 local member associations, Kentucky Youth Soccer is committed to nurturing the growth of soccer and fostering the personal development of youth athletes on and off the field. Learn more about KYSA’s impactful programs, partnerships, and events at www.kysoccer.net.

Kentucky Youth Soccer Association Unveils Revamped Website to Enhance User Experience and Engagement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lexington, Kentucky – The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association is excited to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, which aims to offer an enhanced and user-friendly experience for visitors. The website, with the same trusted URL www.kysoccer.net, has undergone a significant makeover, featuring a modernized design and a host of new features that provide valuable resources and insights to the Kentucky soccer community.

The redesigned Kentucky Youth Soccer website introduces a dynamic marketplace that allows members to connect with KYSA’s official partners, giving them insight into the invaluable services and benefits these partners bring to member clubs. Additionally, the website now boasts an engaging news section that serves as a hub for the latest stories and developments within the Kentucky soccer community. Kentucky Youth Soccer has also unveiled a comprehensive ‘Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)’ section about Kentucky Youth Soccer as well as Risk Management, empowering members to quickly find answers to their inquiries and stay informed.

“Kentucky Youth Soccer is thrilled to introduce our reimagined website, created with the goal of promoting and growing soccer throughout the state in mind,” said Karrington True, Director of Marketing at Kentucky Youth Soccer. “Through our partnership with NBC Sports Next and the utilization of the innovative SportsEngine technology platform, we can now share our mission and vision with a wider audience. This new platform enables us to celebrate the incredible achievements of our member clubs and foster a stronger sense of community within Kentucky soccer.”

As Kentucky Youth Soccer joins forces with USYS and NBC Sports Next to broaden the reach of soccer in Kentucky and beyond, the revamped website is poised to become a central hub for all things soccer-related in the state. The website’s fresh design, intuitive navigation, and robust content network make it an indispensable resource for players, coaches, administrators, and fans of the sport.

To explore the revitalized Kentucky Youth Soccer website and discover the wealth of resources it offers, visit www.kysoccer.net. For media inquiries or more information about KYSA’s online presence, please contact Karrington True at karringtontrue@kysoccer.net.

About Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA)

The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA) is the premier organization dedicated to promoting and developing soccer across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. With a mission to grow and promote soccer in Kentucky, KYSA provides a wide range of programs and initiatives to inspire excellence, sportsmanship, and character in youth athletes. From grassroots to elite levels, Kentucky Youth Soccer offers opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and administrators to thrive in a positive and inclusive environment. With over 40,000 youth players, 6,000 active coaches, and a network of more than 83 local member associations, Kentucky Youth Soccer is committed to nurturing the growth of soccer and fostering the personal development of youth athletes on and off the field. Learn more about KYSA’s impactful programs, partnerships, and events at www.kysoccer.net.

Kentucky Youth Soccer Association Partners with BAND for Enhanced Communication

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lexington, Kentucky – The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA) is pleased to announce a new partnership with BAND, a leading communication platform, to revolutionize communication across all KYSA programs. The collaboration aims to streamline information sharing, fostering an improved collaboration between club leaders, coaches, and members.

With BAND as the designated communication partner, the Kentucky Youth Soccer Association will integrate the platform into various programs, including the Olympic Development Program (ODP), Kentucky Premier League, State Tournaments, and Statewide BANDS. This strategic move reflects KYSA’s commitment to providing its members with cutting-edge communication solutions.

“Our partnership with BAND represents a significant step forward in our mission to promote and grow soccer in Kentucky,” said Kris Zander, Executive Director of KYSA. “By leveraging BAND’s powerful communication tools, we aim to streamline information sharing, enhance collaboration, and empower our members with an efficient platform that meets their needs.”

The primary objective of this partnership is to create a seamless and efficient communication network, enabling KYSA and its affiliated clubs to share vital information instantly. Through BAND’s diverse features, such as instant notifications, read receipts, calendars, photo/video sharing, and live streaming, coaches and leaders can now connect and coordinate effortlessly.

“BAND is thrilled to collaborate with the KYSA team and its esteemed members, leagues, and clubs,” said Sidney Chae, General Manager for the BAND U.S. Office. “We are confident that BAND’s dynamic communication tools will significantly enhance information sharing, fostering improved engagement and connectivity within the soccer community.”

BAND is a free app that provides leaders and teams with the tools they need to communicate more efficiently, thus elevating the overall soccer experience for athletes and coaches alike. The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association is eager to embrace the enhanced communication platform, bringing a new era of connectivity to the Kentucky Soccer community.

About Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA)

The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA) is the premier organization dedicated to promoting and developing soccer across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. With a mission to grow and promote soccer in Kentucky, KYSA provides a wide range of programs and initiatives to inspire excellence, sportsmanship, and character in youth athletes. From grassroots to elite levels, Kentucky Youth Soccer offers opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and administrators to thrive in a positive and inclusive environment. With over 40,000 youth players, 6,000 active coaches, and a network of more than 83 local member associations, Kentucky Youth Soccer is committed to nurturing the growth of soccer and fostering the personal development of youth athletes on and off the field. Learn more about KYSA’s impactful programs, partnerships, and events at www.kysoccer.net.

About BAND

BAND (band.us) is a leading group communication app that makes it easier for teams to stay on the same page. Leaders use BAND to manage and communicate with their teams on one platform through critical features like group messaging, notifications, calendars, RSVPs, pictures & videos, polls, live streams, and more. Over 350,000 group leaders use BAND throughout the states, including sports teams, school clubs, businesses, and friends and families. BAND is available for free on iOS, Android, and online. For more information, visit https://band.us.

Kentucky Youth Soccer Announces Partnership with Hudl as Official Video and Data Analytics Partner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lexington, Kentucky- The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA) is delighted to announce a new partnership with Hudl, a global leader in performance technology, as the official video and data analytics, auto-capture, and league exchange partner. This partnership will provide KYSA members with access to cutting-edge resources and technology to enhance their soccer development and performance.

As part of the partnership, Hudl’s league exchange platform will be integrated into the Kentucky Premier League, enabling teams to efficiently exchange film and leverage valuable insights. Additionally, the KYSA’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) will utilize Hudl’s exchange platform for seamless film upload and download processes. Hudl Focus Flex cameras will be present at KYSA’s in-person coaching courses, ODP events, and state tournaments, further enriching the learning experience for players and coaches.

KYSA clubs will have exclusive access to Hudl’s comprehensive resources, accessible via KYSoccer.net. This will provide valuable information, training materials, webinars, and more, allowing clubs to fully leverage the benefits of Hudl’s suite of video and data products.

“The partnership with Hudl marks an exciting milestone for Kentucky Youth Soccer,” said Kris Zander, Executive Director of KYSA. “We are committed to promoting and growing soccer here in Kentucky, and providing our clubs and athletes with the tools to help make them successful is essential. Hudl’s industry-leading technology will undoubtedly contribute to the development and advancement of our players and coaches.”

Hudl, with its extensive expertise in performance technology, serves over 30,000 sports organizations worldwide. Their comprehensive suite of video and data products empowers coaches with invaluable insights while ensuring that players receive the recognition they deserve.

“At Hudl, we have made it a priority to continue our growth in youth soccer across the country, and KYSA is our next step to do that,” said Rachel Krasnow, head of Strategic Partnerships at Hudl. “Our mission is to help make every moment count for athletes and teams. KYSA has a strong history of providing athletes with opportunities to excel, and we are excited to contribute to that.”

The partnership between KYSA and Hudl exemplifies KYSA’s dedication to embracing technology and innovation to foster the growth of soccer in Kentucky.

About Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA)

The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA) is the premier organization dedicated to promoting and developing soccer across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. With a mission to grow and promote soccer in Kentucky, KYSA provides a wide range of programs and initiatives to inspire excellence, sportsmanship, and character in youth athletes. From grassroots to elite levels, Kentucky Youth Soccer offers opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and administrators to thrive in a positive and inclusive environment. With over 40,000 youth players, 6,000 active coaches, and a network of more than 83 local member associations, Kentucky Youth Soccer is committed to nurturing the growth of soccer and fostering the personal development of youth athletes on and off the field. Learn more about KYSA’s impactful programs, partnerships, and events at www.kysoccer.net.

About Hudl

As a global leader in performance analysis technology, Hudl helps more than 200K sports teams—from grassroots to the pros—prepare for and stay ahead of the competition. A complete suite of video and data products ensures coaches have the insights they need and athletes get the shot they deserve. 6M users across 40 sports use Hudl’s best-in-class software, hardware, and services, including online coaching tools, mobile and desktop apps, smart cameras, live streaming, wearables, analytics, professional consultation, and more. Learn more at www.hudl.com.

Kentucky Youth Soccer Association Partners with NCSA College Recruiting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lexington, Kentucky (October 25, 2022) – The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA) has officially announced a partnership with NCSA College Recruiting, which has been named the “Official Recruiting Partner” of the state association. Founded in 2000, NCSA is the world’s largest and most successful college athletic recruiting network.

We are excited to partner with NCSA,” said Kris Zander, Kentucky Youth Soccer executive Director. “The NCSA platform is a prominent way for athletes to gain the knowledge and tools needed to elevate their chances of playing in college. We believe NCSA will be a big asset in the college recruiting experience.”

As the KYSA’s official recruiting partner, NCSA will provide educational tools to KYSA athletes ages 13 and older to help families navigate the college recruiting process. Athletes will have the option to create a free NCSA profile when registering with the KYSA and gain access to free college recruiting resources, as well as NCSA’s robust network of college coaches. Additionally, all KYSA clubs and teams, as well as the Kentucky Olympic Development Program (ODP), will receive access to the NCSA team recruiting platform, Team Edition, which allows coaches to track and help guide their athletes’ college recruitment process with easy-to-use software. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the Kentucky Youth Soccer Association,” said NCSA President Lisa Strasman. “Through our recruiting education and digital tools, NCSA is eager to help more youth soccer players in Kentucky reach their dreams of playing at the collegiate level.”  

The partnership with NCSA College Recruiting will allow the KYSA to select up to 10 athletes to receive the NCSA All In Award, which is given to deserving student-athletes who demonstrate financial need, a strong desire to play collegiate athletics and a commitment to leveraging their athletic talent to improve their life. Each All In Award honoree will receive the most comprehensive NCSA recruiting membership at no cost, providing highly personalized support and guidance to ensure they have the best opportunity to find a college that is the right fit for them. 

KYSA will also integrate NCSA’s recruiting software, Coach Packet, for several of its top events. Coach Packet provides easy access to the latest rosters, player data, schedules, and custom evaluation metrics by taking the historic bundles of paper handouts at recruiting events and complementing them with a dedicated universal iOS app. By using Coach Packet on their mobile devices, college coaches and scouts who attend KYSA events will have an easier, more efficient way of recruiting and evaluating players.

About Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA)

The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA) is the premier organization dedicated to promoting and developing soccer across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. With a mission to grow and promote soccer in Kentucky, KYSA provides a wide range of programs and initiatives to inspire excellence, sportsmanship, and character in youth athletes. From grassroots to elite levels, Kentucky Youth Soccer offers opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and administrators to thrive in a positive and inclusive environment. With over 40,000 youth players, 6,000 active coaches, and a network of more than 83 local member associations, Kentucky Youth Soccer is committed to nurturing the growth of soccer and fostering the personal development of youth athletes on and off the field. Learn more about KYSA’s impactful programs, partnerships, and events at www.kysoccer.net.

About NCSA College Recruiting

NCSA College Recruiting is the world’s largest college recruiting platform connecting tens of thousands of student-athletes to more than 35,000 college coaches across 36 sports each year. NCSA is part of IMG Academy, the leader in athletic-academic education and development for high school student-athletes. Learn more about NCSA at www.ncsasports.org. 

Kentucky Youth Soccer Strengthens Athlete Health, Safety, and Injury Management with Headcheck Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Concussion and complete injury management compliance software will be used to prevent mismanaged injuries for over 40,000 athletes across the state.

Lexington, Kentucky (Dec 7, 2022) – The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (‘Kentucky Youth Soccer’), the state association representing youth soccer in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and HEADCHECK Health, Inc. (HEADCHECK), a leading tech-enabled provider of concussion protocol and injury management for sports organizations, today announced an exclusive partnership. Through HEADCHECK all Kentucky Youth Soccer clubs, teams and players will be able to use HEADCHECK to prevent mismanaged injuries.

We are excited to partner with HEADCHECK Health,” said Kris Zander, Kentucky Youth Soccer Executive Director. “HEADCHECK Health software is an excellent way for clubs and teams to track concussion and injury related issues with their players.  We believe Headcheck will be a big asset to the Kentucky soccer community.”

“We are excited to work with Kentucky Youth Soccer on preventing mismanaged injuries,” said HEADCHECK CEO Harrison Brown. “Kris Zander, his staff, and all the volunteers should be applauded for prioritizing the health and safety of their athletes.”

HEADCHECK provides cutting edge concussion and complete injury management compliance software to sports leagues, clubs, teams, state associations, Olympic committees & federations, national governing bodies, and more. Current clients include over 3,000 organizations such as Major League Soccer, the Canadian Football League, New Jersey Youth Soccer, True Lacrosse, and USA Cycling.

About Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA)

The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA) is the premier organization dedicated to promoting and developing soccer across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. With a mission to grow and promote soccer in Kentucky, KYSA provides a wide range of programs and initiatives to inspire excellence, sportsmanship, and character in youth athletes. From grassroots to elite levels, Kentucky Youth Soccer offers opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and administrators to thrive in a positive and inclusive environment. With over 40,000 youth players, 6,000 active coaches, and a network of more than 83 local member associations, Kentucky Youth Soccer is committed to nurturing the growth of soccer and fostering the personal development of youth athletes on and off the field. Learn more about KYSA’s impactful programs, partnerships, and events at www.kysoccer.net.

About Headcheck Health

At HEADCHECK, our goal is simple: we want to prevent mismanaged head injuries. Our tools help all those involved in the identification, management, and care of a suspected concussion. Whether at the amateur or professional level, HEADCHECK’s end-to-end solutions enable organizations of all types and sizes to execute their current concussion protocols, support athlete recovery, and mitigate risk. Join the wave of over 3,000 progressive organizations that HEADCHECK empowers to make a difference in player safety, from professional sports leagues like Major League Soccer, the Canadian Football League, and USA Cycling to your community’s sports teams and clinics: http://www.headcheckhealth.com.