Soccer in the state of Florida is literally expanding from the ground up. With the failure of succesful professional teams, children have taken to the sport in increasing numbers and local Florida area leagues are handling as many as 3,000 children each during their respective seasons.

Florida is one of the leading states in soccer activity and ranked in the top ten with respect to participation, according to the Soccer Industry Council of America, 1997 Soccer Participation Survey. Recent statistics are not yet available, however, it is anticipated that Florida will soon become one of the leaders in youth soccer in the nation, particulalrly with the recent enthusiastic reception of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The Florida Youth Soccer Association [WWW.FYSA.COM] is one of the larger member organizations of the United States Youth Soccer [WWW.USYS.ORG]. From its humble beginnings in 1974 with just under 2,500 registered players to its current registration of more than 100,000, FYSA has been recognized as a leader in youth sports organizations in Florida.

The Florida State Soccer Association [WWW.FSSA.ORG] provides the support for the amateur adult soccer players throughout the state of Florida.

Florida College Soccer

The Mens Division I includes teams from Stetson, University of Central Florida, Florida Atlantic University, University of South Florida, Florida International University, Jacksonville University. Division II consists of teams from University of North Florida, University of West Florida, University of Tampa, Eckerd College, Barry University, Florida Southern, Florida Tech, Rollins College and St. Leo College. The NAIA has teams from Lynn University, NOVA Southeastern University, Weber College, Embry Riddle, Flagler College, Palm Beach Atlantic and St. Thomas University.

The Women's Division I consists of teams from Florida State University, University of Florida and Jacksonville University and Division II has teams from Florida Atlantic University, University of North Florida, University of South Florida, FIU, UCF and University of West Florida.

Florida High School Soccer

High School Soccer programs that maintain web sites include the following:

Palm Bay HS-Palm Bay, Coral Park HS-Miami, Charlotte HS-Charlotte, Port Charlotte HS-Port Charlotte, Miami Beach HS-Miami Beach, Largo HS-Largo, St. Thomas Aquinas HS-Ft. Lauderdale (#1 in Nation), Melbourne Central Catholic-Melbourne, Cardinal Newman HS-West Palm Beach, Key West High School, Tampa Prep HS-Tampa, Deltona HS-Deltona, Palm Bay HS-Palm Bay, West Orange HS-Winter Garden, Astronaut HS-Titusville, Gainesville HS-Gainesville, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas HS-Parkland, Stanton Prep HS-Jacksonville, Largo HS-Largo, Melbourne Central Catholic-Melbourne, Bishop Kenney HS-Jacksonville, Cardinal Newman HS-West Palm Beach, The Bolles School, Ridgeview High School-Orange Park, Fletcher HS-Jacksonville, Leon HS-Tallahassee, Lincoln HS-Tallahassee, Rickards HS-Tallahassee, Godby HS-Tallahassee, Mosley HS-Panama City, Pace HS-Pace, Niceville HS-Niceville and Maclay School-Tallahassee.

Florida Adult Soccer

The US Soccer sanctioned organization administrating adult soccer is the Florida State Soccer Association. The FSSA is a member of the United States Adult Soccer Association.

Adult Soccer Clubs/Leagues in Florida include the following:

Tallahassee Soccer Association, Pasco United Soccer Club, Gainesville Recreation Soccer League, East Coast Soccer League, Vero Beach Storm, Florida Community College Conference, Agin Gators Soccer Society, Southeastern Soccer League, Coral Park Senior Soccer League, Florida Inter-City Soccer League, Futbol Club of St. Petersburg, Gold Coast Soccer League (Dade/Broward/Palm Beach), Gulf Coast Adult Soccer League, Ormond Beach Soccer Club Inc., Palm Harbor R.J.A. Nighthawks, Town and Country Soccer League, Under-23 Developmental League and World Soccer Daytona Beach/Ormond Inc.

The U.S. Amateur Soccer Association [WWW.USASA.COM] is responsible for developing the sport for players over the age of 19.

According to the Soccer Industry Council of America, 18.2 million Americans played organized soccer in 1999, (compared to over 2.9 million active players in England) with 13.8 million under 18 years of age. High school participation increased by 65 per cent between 1987 and1999. Among youth 12-17, soccer participation rose 20% to 6 million (from 5 million), while other team sports like softball (-12%); baseball (-7%); volleyball (-3%) and basketball (-2%) experienced losses.

SICA reports 41% of all soccer households have incomes of $75,000.00 and above.

Approximately 3 million players between the ages of five and nineteen are registered with the U.S. Youth Soccer Association's [WWW.USYSA.COM] fifty-five state associations. Programs are administered with the help of over 300,000 coaches and 500,000 volunteers.

Lighthouse Soccer Foundation actively encourages participation in soccer from all economic demographics. Soccer for all!

LIGHTHOUSE SOCCER FOUNDATION, INC.  PO BOX 31326, PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL 33420