FYSA Celebrates a Successful 2026 Florida Youth Soccer Summit and Annual General Meeting
Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) hosted its 2026 Florida Youth Soccer Summit and Annual General Meeting (AGM) July 31-August 2 at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld. The weekend brought together club leaders, coaches, administrators, and players from across the state for three days of education, connection, celebration, and a shared focus on the future of youth soccer in Florida.
The weekend kicked off Friday with the grand opening of the Exhibitor Hall, giving attendees the opportunity to connect with some of the leading brands in equipment, technology, and soccer services. The evening provided a chance for members to network, build relationships, and learn more about the resources available to support their clubs and players.
Saturday brought a full schedule of educational workshops and guest speakers as part of the Florida Youth Soccer Summit. Attendees could choose from a wide range of topics, including updates to the U.S. Soccer Competition Architecture, Olympic Development Program collaboration, Girls in Soccer initiatives, and a new FYSA Membership Feedback Workshop. The workshop created an open space for members to have meaningful conversations with FYSA staff and share ideas on how the organization can continue to improve and strengthen youth soccer across the state.
One of the biggest highlights of the weekend was the 2026 Annual Awards Gala on Saturday evening, hosted by Greg Wolf, in-game host for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the FIFA World Cup. This year, FYSA made a meaningful change to the Gala by putting the players at the center of the celebration. ODP players and championship teams joined the evening alongside FYSA award winners, creating an exciting atmosphere that celebrated the accomplishments of the athletes who make the organization’s work possible.
“The scale of this year’s Gala was something truly special, but what made the night stand out was seeing the players become such a big part of the celebration,” said Daragh Cullen, FYSA President. “The decision to make the kids the focus of the evening was a needed change, and seeing their excitement throughout the night made it clear that it was the right one. This was their night, and we were proud to celebrate them.”
Players and award winners also had the opportunity to experience FYSA’s red carpet room, where they were interviewed about their accomplishments and experiences throughout the year. An appearance from Kingston, the Orlando City mascot, kept the energy high and added to the excitement of the evening.
The Gala concluded with the posthumous induction of Elsa Maroon and Rebecca McLaren into the FYSA Hall of Fame. Both Maroon and McLaren dedicated a significant portion of their lives to Florida youth soccer while also being devoted wives, mothers, and grandmothers. Their commitment to the game and the young players they served was unwavering, and FYSA is honored to recognize their lasting impact through their induction into the Hall of Fame.
The weekend concluded Sunday with FYSA’s Annual General Meeting. The 2026 AGM provided an opportunity to reflect on a successful year while looking ahead to the continued growth and evolution of youth soccer in Florida. With strong partnerships, innovative programs, and a passionate membership, FYSA is excited to build on this momentum and continue its mission of growing the game and empowering the next generation of players.