History of OCYSA

Oldham County Youth Soccer Association was founded in the spring of 1982 by a group of youth soccer enthusiasts headed by Eddie Barber.  Soccer had gained popularity through the ’70s and many clubs in the region started forming in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.  In the beginning, OCYSA used two of the sites still used today, the Nature Preserve in Goshen and the main practice site in Buckner. Initially these sites were used for both practice and games.

In 1994, Oldham County Fiscal Court leased the current game field site to OCYSA .  OCYSA volunteers immediately began developing the current game field site and completed the task in time for the first games to be played in 1996.  In addition to OCYSA league games and other events, many KYSA state championship tournaments have been held here.  The KYSA Olympic Development Program continues to use the site for try-outs and training. The US Women’s National team visited the complex in 2001.
Up until 1989, OCYSA was primarily a recreational league whose teams played other OCYSA teams, except for district and occasionally state championships.  However, from 1989 to 1997, a group of former professional players founded and operated a select soccer division within OCYSA called Javanon.  The OCYSA Javanon U16 Boys won the US Youth Soccer National Championship in 1997.  

In 1996, a group of OCYSA parents, led by Rock Thompson, founded the select soccer program, Thoroughbreds Soccer Club.  Beginning with only three teams, the Thoroughbreds have since grown to be a major regional club with over 20 teams.  TSC teams have won numerous state cups, regional tournaments, and league championships.

The original TOPSoccer program was developed and introduced locally by Jan Winters of OCYSA in 1998.  TOPSoccer is now a national program for USYSA.

In 2002, OCYSA fully transitioned to the new USYSA small sided game format.  The change required reconfiguring fields and resizing goals on over half of the fields at the Buckner Soccer Complex.  The Little Kicks Kids Club for U5 and U6 age groups was introduced that same season as part of the change to the new small-sided soccer programming.  

In 2003, Steve Bryant led the effort to launch the intermediate select soccer program, Select Limited.  The successful program has matured into the current Oldham Legends program. 

Thoroughbreds Soccer Club and OCYSA joined forces to host the 1st annual Derby Cup in 2005 at OCYSA venues.  The regional select soccer tournament proved very popular the first year and continues to grow in participation each year.

Over the past twenty five years many loyal, devoted and extremely hard working volunteers have managed the OCYSA program.  A great example is Tom Davis, who has served OCYSA in many capacities including his current role as recreational coach.  Tom is the longest serving OCYSA volunteer, having started as a coach in 1985.

The long-term success of the association has been achieved through the exceptional leadership and vision of the following volunteers serving as President of OCYSA:  Eddie Barber, Roger Hart, Scott Howie, Larry Turpin, Eric Jacobsen, JR Wathen, Janice Marks, Jack Banbury, Mark Kraus, Steve Bryant, Andy Deck, and Dennis Lawrey.

Many thousands of families have experienced life long memories through participation in OCYSA as players, coaches and fans. Given the high level of enthusiasm, commitment and leadership of current volunteers, OCYSA will continue generating special memories for many thousands of families for years to come.