About SYAA

History of SYAA

Founded in 1981, Suffolk Youth Athletic Association is a non-profit, charitable, tax-exempt organization whose sole purpose is to operate, conduct, and maintain athletic programs for the youth of Suffolk and the surrounding areas.

Today we service over 1,800 registered players, boys, and girls playing sports year round.

We are privately owned and run by volunteers. This includes Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Team Managers, Officials, Ground Keepers, and Concession Management, and a Board of Directors. It takes over 25,000 volunteer hours to run and manage our programs on a yearly basis.

The past 40 years have been a period of tremendous growth for SYAA. From a small beginning, SYAA has grown to one of the largest privately operated youth sports organization in Virginia. We continue to operate as a volunteer program, stressing the need for parents to be active participants in their children’s endeavors.

Mission Statement

• Organize, conduct, operate, and maintain physical and athletic education, training, and sports programs.

• Serve the youth of Suffolk and surrounding areas inclusive of all abilities, orientations, races & ethnicities, creeds, and religions.

• Teach good sportsmanship, teamwork, and community pride.

Our Philosophy

• Provide a safe and positive experience

• Encourage fun - We play to have fun and show that participating, not winning, is what is important.

• Ensure participation - Everyone plays!

• Build skills - We emphasize and teach the fundamentals.

• Teach values – an opportunity to learn a strong work ethic, sportsmanship, perseverance, and teamwork.

• Fair play - Respect for the rules, officials, coaches, players, and oneself is a core value.

• Family involvement - SYAA has something for the entire family.

Volunteer Driven

SYAA is indebted to many local businesses, organizations, and individuals who have sponsored teams over the years.

Thank you for continued support of our organization because without the parents, organizations, and businesses, we would not be the organization that we have become.

SYAA operates over 25 fields for Baseball, softball, soccer, and Field Hockey. All are privately owned by the Association, a rarity for youth sports organizations in the Tidewater Virginia area. We have teams playing throughout the Tidewater area and are “in season” year round.

Come out one Saturday and see the joy of the children and the pride of the parents.

We would like to give thanks to the following businesses or persons for their Sponsorships of teams and/or through the Capital Campaign - Get involved today!