Welcome to our 'People of SYSA' series! This series is where we talk with players, coaches, administrators, parents, referees and volunteers from all across SYSA and learn a little bit about them and why they love being a part of Seattle Youth Soccer Association.

Recreational soccer in Seattle is made possible for thousands of kids each year through the dedication and commitment of volunteers like Jeff Scott. We recently sat down with outgoing McGilvra Youth Soccer Club President to talk about the 9 years he spent with the club. Here's our conversation with Jeff:

Getting involved with SYSA

Jeff first got involved with McGilvra Youth Soccer in 2014. Jeff, who's played the sport since he was a kid, and his wife Sabrina, who is from Brazil and grew up around soccer, had been recently throwing around ideas for how to get involved in their community. When their daughter expressed interest in wanting to play soccer, the pieces just came together. They decided they would co-coach their daughter's U6 soccer team because they knew it would be something that they would enjoy doing together.

At about the same time that they volunteered to coach, Jeff learned that McGilvra's current president was looking to finish up his time with the club. Jeff was interested, and upon meeting with the outgoing president and then also realizing that he already knew half the leadership (the treasurer and the club's registrar were both friends of his) he volunteered to step into the role.

It's ALL about community

Fast forward 9 years later, and Jeff has nothing but good things to say about the entire experience. Both roles, coach and President. "We have coached our daughter's team, the Thundercats, for 9 years now (minus a year in the middle that my daughter tried select) and honestly it's been amazing. Coaching with my wife and coaching our daughter has been awesome, it's been the most important thing. Getting to know all of the kids has also been amazing. This group has stayed together and are all still friends because of this rec soccer team. It's also been great getting to know the parents and all that. All of this is what community soccer is all about," says Jeff.

Being a part of McGilvra Soccer Club all these years "has been a great way to connect WITH the community and connect WITHIN the community" - Jeff Scott

McGilvra is a club of about 75 teams and is run effectively and efficiently by a small group of dedicated, hardworking individuals. "We have a small board at McGilvra, 4-5 people maybe. I knew it was going to be a commitment when I decided to accept the role of president, but once I started digging in to the history of the club and chatting with the community about the value it brings to the neighborhoods, I knew it was going to be worth it and it has been. It's an important and valued piece in the puzzle of our community and that value has become even more apparent to me over the years," says Jeff

McGilvra Soccer Club is a big deal, Jeff says, because it bring so much value to the community and harps back to an earlier time when everything was about connection to others in the area that you live. "It provides an experience that just doesn't exist in the world anymore. Community soccer is one of the last bastions of the old school community atmosphere. It's just a different world for kids these days," says Jeff.

Camaraderie, teamwork and friendship

When asked about the value of his 9 years with McGilvra, Jeff further leans into this idea and says that being a part of something that's centered around helping kids have this community experience has been the most valuable thing he will take with him. He's especially loved seeing the friendships and togetherness that the kids get to be a part of, coming back year after year to people they've been friends with since they were 5 years old.

"For kids to be able to learn this idea of camaraderie and teamwork and friendship and the value of all that, we can't lose this stuff in the world! It's less and less of this that we have out there, fewer and fewer opportunities." - Jeff Scott

Jeff gives an example. His daughter and his wife went down to Brazil for a semester of school recently. While his daughter was attending school at the international school there, she played soccer for the middle school team and then got invited to travel with the high school team to some bigger events. "When I talked to her about this, she was happy for the opportunity, but she said to me, Dad - it's been good but I'd much rather play with the Thundercats. The camaraderie is just not there with this team and I miss playing with my friends."

"To her, that idea of being able to just play with her friends, that is what soccer means to her," recalls Jeff. "And being a part of that idea, that environment that created that, is what I value most."

McGilvra moving forward

"Covid was not fun," says Jeff, when asked about when he knew it was time to move on. In fact, it was his least favorite part because of how difficult it was. After leading the club through that period, and staying on board long enough to get things back up and running, Jeff knew it was time to part ways. His daughter and her teammates are also headed into high school now, so it seemed a natural transition point to leave McGilvra in the next set of hands.

"McGilvra is in a good place right now, and that fresh excitement for soccer and interaction after the pandemic, that's what we kind of rode to find a replacement," says Jeff. Enter Nick Tchemitcheff, McGilvra Youth Soccer Club's new president. "McGilvra Soccer Club has been such a big part of my life, and I want someone else to be able to continue on and have that experience as well. Nick has everything he needs and is ready to lead."

After navigating the pandemic and coming out of that intact, the club is strong. Jeff believes that McGilvra Soccer Club is well positioned going forward due in big part to the collective dedication of everyone involved.

"A special thanks to Anne Bare and all the dedicated volunteer board members/coaches over the years. Without them, recreational community soccer wouldn’t exist." - Jeff Scott

"McGilvra Soccer Club is ready to build upon the framework that is already there and take things to the next level. The club is ready to expand into some of the things we haven't been able to offer before, and ramp up the community-building aspect to further integrate into new areas. I'm excited to see where they take things," says Jeff.

Thank you Jeff!

Jeff - SYSA is extremely appreciative of all of the time, energy and expertise that you have so freely given to this soccer community over the years. We are grateful for all of your work helping to support not just McGilvra, but the association and the other neighborhood clubs in the city as well. Thank you so much for your years of service, leadership and kindness.