ABOUT NCYSA’S DE&I COMMITTEE
NCYSA seeks to establish the organization as a leader in youth soccer by enhancing the overall soccer
experience for all. By prioritizing initiatives that support the growth of diversity, equity, and inclusion, NCYSA
will aim to create an environment for all children to develop, grow, and thrive.
The NCYSA DE&I Committee was established and approved by the Executive Board in Summer 2021.
As a member of US Youth Soccer, NCYSA and its’ DE&I Committee participates in USYS DE&I initiatives and education opportunities that we will pass along to our member associations to participate in or share with their members as they see fit.
NCYSA DE&I Committee Mission:
To recognize and support the physical, mental, and emotional needs of NCYSA’s youth soccer players, coaches, managers, volunteers, athletic trainers, administrators, and officials from all our communities without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, national origin, socio-economic status or ability in order to empower and celebrate each other’s growth.
NCYSA DE&I Committee Vision:
To make a lasting impact in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion in North Carolina by uniting the NCYSA community through education and the establishment or expansion of programs and offerings that focus on the development and promotion of all our members through the game of soccer in hopes of creating real change both on and off the field.
NCYSA DE&I Committee Values:
Inclusivity – Integrity – Courage – Safety – Respect – Commitment – Teamwork – Dependability
NCYSA DE&I COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Advisory Group
- Boxley Llewellyn – NCYSA Executive Board Member
- Wendy Burns and Keri Jones – Co Chairs – NCYSA Staff
Additional Committee
- Jaron Barbee – Lawyer, former collegiate player
- Kimberley Crabbe – Outreach Director, WHYFC, Former USWNT player
- Noah Garrett – Charleston United/Grassroots Instructor
- Santiago Lucio-Martinez – Director of Corporate Partnerships, NCFC Pro/NC Courage
- Sari Rose, PhD – Senior Manager for Grassroots Soccer US Youth Soccer
- Nick Stemkowski – NCYSA Coaching Ed Instructor
NCYSA DE&I LIAISIONS
The DE&I Liaison position for NCYSA affiliated associations was created to continue fostering safe spaces and a more inclusive environment for all. The new position will primarily serve to promote communication as the NCYSA DE&I Committee works to close the gap between the state organization and the marginalized groups of player, coaches, administrators, referees, and others within NCYSA.
By recommending that each association appoint a DE&I Liaison, the NCYSA DE&I Committee aims to give underrepresented groups an even greater opportunity to be heard within their own local communities as well as in the greater North Carolina soccer community. The DE&I liaison would be dedicated to communicating with and representing minorities within their association at both the local and state level. Every member of the NCYSA community deserves to be afforded a voice.
The DE&I liaisons will be invited to participate in workshops, meetings, and educational opportunities with the NCYSA DE&I Committee throughout any given year.
The DE&I liaisons will be working firsthand with groups from their community to guide and promote diversity efforts at the local level. The DE&I Liaison will be encouraged to develop, administer, and evaluate programming that aligns with NCYSA and their local association’s goals to address diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The DE&I Liaison will be the primary point of contact for NCYSA’s DEI& Committee initiatives and will play a critical role in communicating and collaborating with the NCYSA DE&I Committee and other DE&I liaisons from around the state in smaller focus groups.
The DE&I Liaison will be encouraged to develop, administer, and evaluate programming that aligns with NCYSA and their local association’s goals to address diversity, equity, and inclusion.
CONTACT US
We would love to get to know the members of your association better and work together to make soccer a safe place for all.
Have an idea we could help with? We want to hear from you!
Please reach out to our committee at dei@ncsoccer.org.
Please note the NCYSA DE&I committee is NOT a disciplinary board, and any violations or perceived violations of NCYSA policies will be subject to the necessary and appropriate Disciplinary & Appeals (D&A) procedures.