Dear members, prospective members and the wider Manitoba soccer community,
On Wednesday February 26, 2020 the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association (WYSA) and it’s member clubs voted to remove long standing district boundaries within the City of Winnipeg. This historic decision follows the Manitoba Soccer Associations (MSA) board of directors’ decision on January 20, 2020 to amend their Rules and Regulations and remove Out of Region Transfer requirements effectively removing its own traditional boundaries outside of the City of Winnipeg. The World Soccer Academy (WSA) commends the board of directors and voting members of the MSA and WYSA for their demonstrated commitment to align with the Canada Soccer Association (CSA) and progressive Provincial/Territorial Soccer Associations (PTSO). These decisions are in line with the CSA’s Club Licensing and address accessibility, inclusiveness, diversity and reducing barriers to participation.
WSA has always worked within the established soccer framework and has been respectful of WYSA’s district boundaries and jurisdiction. We maintain a strong desire to continue that history of goodwill and wish to foster positive relationships in this new soccer landscape. We recognize while exciting, this decision and its ramifications may cause some temporary confusion within the local soccer community. There is no ‘perfect’ time that won’t cause disruption to make and implement decisions of this magnitude. Thus, it is with that understanding and our desire to help facilitate this transition as smoothly as possible that WSA has chosen to apply for Associate Membership in WYSA with teams beginning play in the 2020/21 indoor soccer season. We hope this affords WYSA’s five district clubs the time they need to adjust. Information regarding formation of our teams and tryouts will be released at a later date, very likely (August and September). Please stay tuned.