Celebrating 50 Years of Vienna Youth Soccer

January 8, 2025

Celebrating 50 Years of Vienna Youth Soccer

Letter to Membership


In the spring of 1975, Vienna Youth Soccer began with a vision to create a community of soccer. Now, thanks to the dedication and passion of countless individuals, that vision has become a reality.


Over these remarkable fifty years, we’ve been privileged to serve more than 3,500 players annually, providing over two hundred thousand hours of service each year. The growth has been incredible. Our progress alone reflects the trust and support our members have placed in us.


Vienna Youth Soccer’s longevity and success are a direct reflection of the amazing community that it serves. Our strength comes from the people within Vienna and we are proud to be part of this community.

Heather Helmstetter, VYS Board President

It is time to celebrate our
In 2025, we will observe this milestone with special events and a commemorative logo, cherishing the profound impact this community has made possible.



A Lifetime of Soccer - Connecting with the community through soccer


For half a century, every member who has been part of the VYS family has made the journey extraordinary. We are deeply grateful to:

The Players:

From those kicking their first soccer ball to those who have reached national levels, you all have inspired us daily and keep the heart of our club strong.

Parents and Families:

Your unwavering support through adversity and cheering in moments of achievement has been the backbone of our club's success.

Our dedicated Volunteers:

Your selfless commitment of time and energy has changed numerous lives. We would not be Vienna Youth Soccer without you.

Referees, Administrators, Directors:

Your service and leadership have been instrumental in creating the positive environment necessary to play the game.

Our Partners and Sponsors:

Your generous support has made soccer accessible to all.

Ultimately, the entire Vienna community has been integral. Your continued support and involvement make Vienna Youth Soccer much more than a youth soccer club. We are a Lifetime of Soccer.

More than a game


Over the past fifty years, we have played over 100 seasons of soccer. ​Over the course of those years, it has been inspiring to see the evolution of soccer programming in Vienna.


The synergy of volunteers, players, parents, coaches, referees, and staff has created an environment where soccer has become a tool for:

Education:


Through sponsored licensing, certification, and professional support, VYS has invested in passionate people who care about serving others through soccer.


Lifelong Love of Sport:


The professionalization of the club has allowed current and former players to stay deeply connected to the game through volunteer and employment opportunities. VYS is a haven for those who wish to fuel their love of sport while inspiring the next generation.

Community:


One of the core tenets when VYS was founded was that all should have the opportunity to play. VYS has donated over $2 million to the community through scholarships and facility development.


Safeguarding:


Within TOPSoccer, Recreation & Travel, VYS has invested in Safeguarding programs through SafeSport, Background Checks, Abuse Prevention, and Positive Coaching. Ensuring that every soccer field has trained leadership can foster a safe, positive, and fun environment for players to learn, make friends, and play.

Soccer is more than a game, and its impact stretches far beyond the first and last whistle. To all that have been part of the Vienna Youth Soccer journey, we thank you. To the future generations of our club, we welcome you. You are all a part of a lifetime of soccer.

Kevin James, VYS Executive Director

No Room for Abuse - Raising awareness for change


The No Room for Abuse initiative was launched in the fall of 2023 to bring awareness to the ever-growing verbal and physical abuse referees face across the country. This initiative represents the future of our community. We all play a role in developing future leaders, teachers, doctors, and entrepreneurs, starting with being good role models and 

treating others with respect.


In the fall of 2024, we received a record-low number of reports. Looking forward, we will remain focused on increasing awareness of this campaign, the importance of keeping our referees safe, and striving for zero reports.



Looking Forward


As we look ahead to the next 50 years, we remain committed to our founding vision: creating opportunities through soccer for every member of our community. Vienna is where lifelong friendships form, valuable life lessons are learned, and memories are made that last generations.



Thank you for being part of our story.


Heather Helmstetter, President

Kevin James, Executive and Technical Director

June 13, 2024
VYS to the U.S. U15 WYNT:
April 26, 2024
VYS in Full View: Travel Program
February 22, 2024
Three Clubs... One Union
September 27, 2023
There are many components to the beautiful game we love, and unfortunately, like any sport, injuries are a part of it. While we work tirelessly to ensure our players are in top shape on and off the field, you should always be prepared for any situation. This raises the question, how do you know if an injury is readily manageable or if medical assistance is needed? Our partners and soccer specialists at The Jackson Clinics have developed a short video series for VYS outlining how to identify pain points for common soccer injuries along with the proper actions to take in order to prevent further damage. You can find all information on the proper assessments below or on our Player Performance page.
September 8, 2023
What is the VYS: No Room For Abuse initiative?
September 1, 2023
Our Sports Performance Program is kicking off in a big way for the fall season! The club is excited to announce on September 9th, special guest Dale Blair will be joining Sports Performance director John Ciampa in a discussion on player development and improving the youth athletic experience. Dale, a tenured English professional coach, will be visiting the U.S. for several days and is stopping by to share his coaching experience with us. Any parents looking to better understand how they can positively influence their player's youth soccer experience will certainly benefit from the wealth of knowledge Dale brings. An event you surely won't want to miss! We'll see you at the Vienna Moose Lodge Saturday the 9th!
May 9, 2023
The VYS Sports Performance education series is back! This time we are kicking things off with a special guest panel on May 16th. Led by Sports Performance Director, John Ciampa, our panel will discuss playing with confidence and focus on the physical and mental factors needed to do so. Attendants can expect to learn various ways to improve both off the ball and field. Joined by Keith Kaufman and Matthew Brown, this will be a worthwhile event for all players looking to continue their development and take that next step.
March 30, 2023
Richard Gunney Joins Vienna Youth Soccer
January 12, 2023
Vienna Youth Soccer is excited to continue our Sports Performance Education Series through 2024, led by our Sports Performance Director, John Ciampa. The Sports Performance Program will provide athletic-centered educational content to players, coaches, and parents, concentrating on topics related to development, mindset, and performance. Focusing on these topics, the goal of this series is to enhance the athletic growth of players.
October 28, 2022
Construction has begun on a brand-new futsal court at Cedar Lane school. This will be the second court VYS has brought to Vienna, with the first back in the spring at Cunningham Park. The club was awarded a fast-tracked Ignite Partnership designation by FCPS to further signify the commitment to building the community with this ongoing project. The official launch date for the Cedar Lane court will be November 30 th . FCPS wrote about the Futsal movement in their recent newsletter, check out their story piece for yourself!
More Posts
Share by: