Upper Milford may be a small community, but UMYA teaches skills to help our youth succeed in the Greater Lehigh Valley and beyond!

Upper Milford Township hides away at the southern tip of the East Penn School District, most people commute through the route 100 corridor, never realizing they have passed through such a cherished community. In recent years however, the word has spread that the Upper Milford Youth Association is a force with which to be reckoned! Our players are standing out from the crowd!

Many UMYA baseball, basketball, softball and soccer players are now playing at competitive, high school and Olympic level sports! Just this year, two UMYA Soccer Alumni helped the Emmaus High School Varsity Soccer Team achieve the District Championship. Three UMYA Alumni Girls assisted the Emmaus High School Girls Junior Varsity team to a 13-2-3 record in fall 2019. Another UMYA shining star was selected to join the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association North Olympic Development U14 Girls team! We offer our sincere congratulations to these players who have accomplished their goals through positive attitudes and hard work with foundations they honed at UMYA!

The Upper Milford Youth Association is a unique organization, providing a place where Everyone Plays! With a strong 100% volunteer support network; Parents, Teachers, Coaches, Neighbors and Friends work together to offer an environment that focuses on having fun while learning Leadership, Sportsmanship and Fair Play. (The UMYA Motto!)

The Upper Milford Youth Association strives to provide a place for players to develop skills in multiple sports. Registrations fees are kept low to ensure every child can play. No child is turned away. The non-profit organization has created recreational and competitive level teams in soccer, softball, baseball, basketball and kickball.

UMYA encourages coaches and players to concentrate on skills and development. It's not all about the win. Soccer Coordinator and Vice President, Randy Faurl states,"We are and always will be a Recreational organization first and foremost. Competitive and/or travel play is supported only when there is enough interest within a certain sport and age group to do so." Recreational sports are the foundation of the youth athlete. UMYA offers MicroSoccer, T-Ball, Pixie Softball and Academy Basketball programs for younger players to learn the fundamentals and have fun doing so. The fun is what makes the player return, the fundamentals allow them to progress.

Three years ago, the UMYA Soccer program grew to include a competitive level. In fall 2019, UMYA had 5 teams with winning seasons! In spring of 2019, UMYA launched its first competitive Softball and Basketball teams.

The benefit is not just to youth players. Coach King states, "Volunteering allows me to spend more time with my family and getting to know my child's friends. I know my children are growing up in a positive environment. My kids are comfortable and gained the confidence to succeed. I can also show them the importance of community service." UMYA ensures that the coaches have everything they need to lead. The same coach shared, "I knew nothing about soccer! I asked for some help and UMYA gave it to me. I coached for four years and loved it, then UMYA paid for my licensing class and I coached another 4 years at a higher level. I was nervous to take the first step, but I am so glad I did."

The entire program exists because volunteers have "stepped up". In 2019, 1000 roster spots were filled on UMYA teams!

Help UMYA continue to give our youth opportunities to be active and challenged by volunteering. There are countless ways to help. UMYA always needs board members, coaches, team managers, and eager helpers to bring it all together.

Thank you to all our current volunteers who help make our community better.