What is ECYFL?

The Essex County Youth Futsal League, Inc. (ECYFL) is a non-profit organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2015. The purpose of the Corporation is to promote the game of futsal by offering training and playing opportunities for the youth of Essex County and its environs. Participants will be drawn from those member organizations that are currently members of the Essex County Youth Soccer Association (ECYSA), adjacent leagues and Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association. The intent is to offer offseason programs to bridge the period between the fall and spring outdoor seasons with these programs, operated in a manner consistent with Mass Youth, USYS and USSF policies, guidelines and protocols.

ECYFL is neither part of, nor affiliated with, ECYSA but is partnered and coordinated with ECYSA based on common goals, affiliations and participants.

ECYFL sought, and received, recognition by, and affiliation with, the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association as a league to provide clear direction and guidelines under which residency-based and recreational players and other participants may have the aforementioned offseason opportunities without being limited to unaffiliated commercial entities, or in leagues generally focused on open league participants, or leagues outside of the general Essex County geographical area.

Key Points

• Participants are required to be Mass Youth/USYS affiliated members. Affiliation may be through the participants’ home town/club, individually, or through ECYFL.
• USSF Certified Futsal officials will be used for all matches that such officials are available. Use of officials lacking said certification will be limited to USSF Certified officials and limited to assignments as 2nd referees.
• Grade groups will be current Grade 3/4 (9/10U), Grade 5/6 (11/12U) and Grade 7/8 (13/14U). High School grade groups will be added if demand warrants and space is available..
• Matches will be governed by FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game using modified local rules of competition to such degree necessary and allowed under said Laws.
• An offseason training program will be offered, incorporating both futsal and general soccer training, in accordance with approved developmental curriculum, with futsal matches a component of the training program.
• The Officers and Directors of the Corporation collectively represent decades of experience as coaches, match officials, and administrators of residency based leagues and Mass Youth member organizations.

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