About Mad River Youth Soccer League

Mad River Youth Soccer provides the youth of Northern and Eastern Humboldt County the opportunity to play and enjoy the sport of soccer at all levels of amateur play. We serve the communities of Arcata, Big Lagoon, Happy Camp, Manila, McKinleyville, Trinidad, Orleans, Fieldbrook, Blue Lake, Bayside, Samoa, Willow Creek, and Hoopa Valley.

Mad River Youth Soccer League is an educational and charitable organization. Our activities include teaching soccer to youth from the age of 4 to under the age of 19 at all skill levels, educating coaches, educating parents about their role in youth sport, organizing games and practices, providing for the facilities to conduct team practices and games, organizing teams to play league games, training referees to referee games, conducting tournaments and jamborees, organizing training academies and workshops, and raising funds to conduct those activities. MRYSL is affiliated with US Soccer Federation, US Youth Soccer, CalNorth/CYSA, and U.S. Club Soccer.

MRYSL has a volunteer Board of Directors which oversees the activities of its organization. MRYSL may hire employees or contract individuals to carry out specific functions such as coach education, coaching teams and youth academies, referee education, and referees; as well as labor intensive administrative roles such as registration, assigning referees to games, and field management. To keep expenses as low as possible, we try to use volunteers as much as we can.

Mission Statement
To develop, promote and administer the game of soccer among the youth under the age of 19, without regard to race, creed, sex or income within the area of Humboldt County north of the Eureka City limits.

Statement of Values
The values of MRYSL include:

• Commitment to the public good
• Accountability to the public
• Commitment beyond the law
• Respect for the worth and dignity of individuals
• Inclusiveness and social justice
• Respect for pluralism and diversity
• Transparency, integrity and honesty
• Responsible stewardship of resources
• Commitment to excellence and to maintaining the public trust

MRYSL operates several programs for a range of ages.

Designed specifically for our youngest players (U8 and under).

• At the U6 age group, this Fall season program offers fun and age-appropriate individual skill development in a no-pressure environment
• For U7 and U8 ages we continue focusing on fun, cooperation with competition, and fundamental ball skillz
• Practices start mid-August and run through the end of October
• Game days are Saturdays at Hiller Park, Hoopa, & Willow Creek
• Practices are at various fields during the week

For U9 and U10 players, the Steelhead program provides a progressively larger and more competitive experience, as the children develop physically and socially. Fun and creativity still rule the day.

The game includes:

• Throw ins will be allowed
• Games will be played 7 a side and the offside rule will be called
• Continuation of sportsmanship and fun while playing

As the kids grow, so does the game!

• U11 & U12 play a 9 v 9 game
• U13 & U14 play 11 v 11
• U15+ play 6 v 6
• Equal playing time and no cuts are made

Players have a variety of backgrounds and interests, and come from all area schools and home schools. Some participants play varsity soccer or other varsity sports, while others are focused on academics, music or art.

In our community program, everyone who wants to play can get outside with their friends, play soccer and have a good time.

This is a local community program where MRYSL teams play against other leagues within Humboldt County. Minimal travel to Eureka, Southern Humboldt areas, and/or Eastern Humboldt areas is expected.