Melissa Alford, Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA)

Providing Pathways

Through my work with Florida Youth Soccer, I have seen firsthand just how many opportunities the organization provides. FYSA offers pathways for players of all levels and backgrounds, whether they want to play recreationally, compete at a higher level, coach, or participate in programs designed for players with disabilities.

There are also many educational opportunities and licensing pathways for coaches. It is a huge community with an incredible range of programs, and it is difficult to fully capture everything it offers in just a few words!

One initiative that is particularly close to my heart is the Girls in Soccer program. The idea for this program came to me in the fall of 2024 after I attended our Annual General Meeting. I left feeling discouraged because so much of the conversation centered around the decline in girls’ participation in soccer. During the long drive home to Tallahassee, I started thinking about what really matters to girls in sport.

The first thing that came to mind was simple: fun!

I believe that, in many cases, some of the fun has been taken out of soccer, making it feel more like a job than a game. While some players thrive in competitive environments, at the end of the day, sport should still be enjoyable.

Making a Difference

So, I began thinking about other ways we could help girls stay engaged and confident in the game. That included helping them understand their bodies, like how nutrition affects performance, how to manage the psychological side of the game, and how to take care of themselves to prevent injuries.

That idea became the foundation for Girls in Soccer, which launched as a pilot program funded by the FYSA board. Our first event was in Tallahassee and welcomed more than 110 girls. We invited female doctors, a nutritionist, a sports psychologist, and a strength and conditioning coach to speak with the players. We also had a former Florida State University player, who won two national championships with FSU, join us as a guest speaker. It turned into an incredible day that was both educational and fun.

At the heart of the program is the belief that soccer can teach values that go far beyond the field. I want the girls who participate to walk away with practical tools about how to approach challenges with resilience. If they leave with a better understanding of themselves and how to care for their whole body and mind, then the program has done its job.

Being involved with FYSA and serving on the board has given me the opportunity to grow this program and reach girls across the entire state of Florida. For me, this work is about more than soccer - it is about life. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have had to help build and expand the program, and I hope it continues to grow in the years ahead.

One of my biggest dreams would be to see programs like this implemented across the country, and even around the world!

Pride and Passion

Hosting the World Cup in the United States is another incredible opportunity for the sport. For young players, having the chance to see national teams from around the world compete at the highest level will be an unforgettable experience. I am especially excited to watch teams from different countries come together to compete for such a prestigious title, and of course, I will be cheering for the U.S. to bring home the trophy.

But when the world is watching, I hope people notice more than just the final score. I hope they recognize the dedication and sacrifice it takes for players to reach the national team level. The years of work, discipline, and resilience that go into that journey are remarkable. Every player who steps onto that stage should feel proud of what they have achieved, and I hope each team represents their country with pride and passion.

Girls in the game

When I think about why I am part of this game, the answer is simple: I want to make a difference.

For me, the score that matters most is not on the scoreboard. It is whether a player walks away from the experience having learned something new about themselves, their bodies, or their mental strength. If I have helped even one player grow in that way, then I consider that a success.

My name is Melissa Alford and I am 44 years old. I have lived in Florida my whole life and worked as a preschool teacher for 18 years.

In 2021, I began working part-time for a local soccer club called Warner Soccer. What started as a small role quickly grew into something much bigger. I now work there full-time and serve as the registrar, adult league coordinator, communications coordinator, and director of the Girls Junior Academy. I am grateful for the support of my friends and family as they help me juggle all these responsibilities.

I am also involved with Florida Youth Soccer (FYSA), where I have helped develop programs that support and inspire young players across the state.

My own soccer journey began when I was around 11 years old. When I tried out for my middle school team, I had never actually played before. When I made the team, my mom and I went shopping for cleats and somehow ended up in the golf section! That sums up how new we both were to the sport.

I started coaching when my son turned four, and I have been coaching ever since. Over the years, I have worked with players from the youngest ages through middle school. I currently hold my grassroots and D license through U.S. Youth Soccer, and coaching has become one of the most rewarding parts of my life.

Sharing my love of soccer with kids while teaching them the game is what makes coaching so rewarding. Hearing them talk about their favorite parts of soccer or what they are doing at home to improve always makes me smile. The girls’ program is changing so much, and I am excited to be a positive part of that change.