Our History

Since 2004, SYS has used soccer as its venue to grow partnerships & programming. In 2007, SYS partnered with the New Mexico Youth Soccer Association (NMYSA) and became a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) which led to the creation of the Native American Soccer Start (NASS). NASS introduces the game of soccer to Native communities while offering introductory soccer clinics and coaching education in 19 Native communities across New Mexico, reaching about 500 participants each school year and summer. To support long term advocacy for soccer in Indian Country, SYS created the Native American Soccer Coaches Committee (NASCC) which is a sanctioned entity of the NSCAA.

The Indigenous Soccer Cup (ISC) stemmed from the success of NASS and its great experience after    the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in 2006. NAIG is a tri-annual celebration of sport and culture featuring Indigenous athletes from the U.S. and Canada. Over 450 youth soccer players representing eight different Canadian territories and U.S. delegations competed in 2006. SYS lead two   U-15 soccer teams to Denver, the boy’s team was awarded the bronze and the girls team the silver. The following summer in 2007, 275 Indigenous youth from across the U.S. and Canada gathered at the University of New Mexico to compete in the 1st Annual Indigenous Soccer Cup. SYS was able to   partner with various Native American organizations to provide youth leadership workshops, life skills, college preparatory components while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

In 2006, SYS began a partnership with the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Communities to receive     its first two AmeriCorps VISTAs. Each VISTA served as a program coordinator expanding SYS’ vision and goals. In the fall of 2009, SYS was awarded a 3-year contract as an AmeriCorp VISTA Sponsor Site in New Mexico which created the Native Youth Wellness Corps (NYWC). The NYWC focuses on the pressing youth development needs of about 21 Native communities to develop and increase the capacity of Native youth resiliency, health & wellness and prevention support. The overall goal of the NYWC   is to provide youth lead positive youth development projects that will evolve and have sustainability within each partnering Native community. While in tandem, the NYWC also provides Native young adults the opportunity to serve in their own community and gain professional development.

One of SYS’ most important partnerships was established with the Native American Community Academy (NACA) in 2006. SYS offices are currently located on NACA campus. Founding Board Member and NACA Principal, Kara Bobroff, has been an active member of SYS and its programming since inception. The successful introduction of soccer at NACA has lead to a 25% participation rate of the total student population.