Above: Village Academy boys in Haryana with new kit and footballs (2022)

 

About IYSA

Est. 9 November 2000, New Delhi, INDIA

 

India Youth Soccer Association (IYSA), is a not-for-profit Trust setup to develop football for children and youth, especially for those from underprivileged, and economically weaker backgrounds and rural areas. 

 

IYSA operations since the year 2000 has included running leagues with small sided matches for ages 6 to 15 known as ‘IYSA Mini Soccer Leagues’, a Football Academy for Government School boys in Delhi; ‘Josh Academy’ in partnership with the Arsenal Community, UK. IYSA also supporting village children, youth and coaches who are training and playing in villages and small towns in India with kit, boots and equipment; ‘Josh Rural Football Project’.

 

IYSA – JOSH RURAL FOOTBALL PROJECT

2020 – 2024 (Current Operations)

 

In 2020, IYSA started the Josh Rural Football Programme and has since supported over 40 village / small-town football Academies in 8 states (majority in North India), benefitting over 3700 children (most of these are in North India). IYSA is supporting these children and youth with kit, training equipment and giving technical guidance to village coaches.

 

• Children in villages have an interest in sport but do not have the means and support to develop & excel. They have access to the Panchayat Football field, however there is no training equipment. For example, they share 2-3 footballs among 20-30 players. A pitch and goal post are marked with shoes when it can be marked out with cones and mini goals. Village coaches volunteer with time and energy but need guidance and support.

• IYSA is providing playing kit (Jersey, shorts, stockings), boots, 20 to 30 footballs, training equipment like cones, bibs and even Mini Goalposts. This improves the quality of training.

Season 2023-24:  IYSA supported 2176 children in 29 village Academies in 8 States, distributed 900 footballs.

View our Report

 

Above: A village Academy supported in Fazilka, Punjab
Below: A Girls team supported in Sikkim

IMPACT AT THE GRASSROOTS

Changing habits
Through this project we’re helping village coaches and volunteers transform children’s habits; from staying home or loitering around they can come to a football field and learn a sport.

 

Building Values
Through football they pick up values such as respect for the opponent, teamwork, leadership, fair play and sportsmanship.

Teamwork
By giving each player a kit motivates them and creates a sense of togetherness. It makes them bond and builds teamwork.

Overall development
Gets them fit, which gives them focus and motivation; be an example to their friends; responsible at home and disciplined in school.

Above: Boots donated to boys at the Shantinekatan Tribal Academy, West Bengal

IYSA OPERATIONS HISTORY

2001 – 2007

Mini Soccer Leagues for children in schools and NGO’s on Sundays through the winter months. Over 3000 players from ages 6-18 in Delhi and Gurgaon played in these Leagues over seven seasons.

Above: Action from a Mini Soccer League match day

2010 – 2020

The Govt of Delhi gave IYSA use of a unused sports field to operate a football Academy aimed to train Government School boys. IYSA setup and operated the New Delhi Josh Football Academy which trained over 1000 Government School boys over 10 years. The Academy teams participated in State and AIFF Youth Leagues and players represented Delhi State, Club teams. IYSA partnered with Arsenal FC, UK whose Community Coaches worked in our Academy annually.

Above: Arsenal Community Coaches with Josh Academy players

 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

IYSA is registered with the Sub Registrar, Delhi (North). Registration no. 25861, on 9^th November 2000.

IYSA is registered under section 12A and 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act 1961. IYSA is also CSR compliant. The organisation operates with the help of donations from corporates, trusts and individuals. Donations to IYSA are 50% tax exempt under sec. 80G.

 

Arup Das
Managing Trustee, IYSA
arupdas@indiayouthsoccer.com