PLEASE NOTE:  This VYSA mailing is being sent to each members’ Chief Executive Officer presently on file at the State Office unless another individual has been designated to the State Administrator, Julie Caramanica.  IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING THIS MAILING TO DISTRIBUTE TO ALL APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OF THEIR CLUB OR LEAGUE.

REGULAR MEETING - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
February 18, 2009

The meeting of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association, Inc., was called to order by President Denise Edwards at the Sheraton Richmond West at 7:00 pm.  Board members present were:

Denise Edwards	President
Ray Greenberg	Vice President
Debi Honaker	Secretary
Jim Bonfils	Treasurer
Bob Maynes	North Recreational Commissioner #1
Steve Bender	North Recreational Commissioner #2
Tom Gross	DC Recreational Commissioner
Roger Underhill	Central Recreational Commissioner
Bob Sokolinsky	Southeast Recreational Commissioner
John Singleton	West Recreational Commissioner and #4 Travel Commissioner
Chris Friant	#3 VSLI Travel Commissioner

Board Members Anne Thompson, Dave Amsler and Paul O’Connell were excused. Also present were Julie Caramanica (VYSA Administrator) and Gordon Miller (VYSA Technical Director).

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES
It was noted that  the December minutes were approved on the January Board conference call, but the November minutes had not been. A motion was made and seconded to approve the November 19, 2008, Board meeting minutes.  The motion was approved.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the January 28, 2009, Board conference call minutes.  Ray Greenberg asked the Adjudication Committee report be corrected to show that the two hearings were held by teleconference. He also noted that in the first hearing, a coach, not a parent, was accused of referee abuse and the coach would not, rather than could not attend the hearing. The minutes were approved as corrected.

TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report (Attachment A) was distributed.  Treasurer Jim Bonfils reported that the 2006 tax return and 990’s for the 2006-2007 fiscal year have been filed.  The 2007 tax return and 990’s for the 2007-2008 fiscal year are complete and will be signed and sent this week.

STATE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
The State Administrator’s Report (Attachment B) was distributed.  Administrator Julie Caramanica reported that there were still some clubs that had not submitted Fall registration fees.  Reminders for Fall registrations will be sent to those clubs with the Spring registration letters that will go out to all clubs in early March.  She reported there are also clubs that have not submitted Fall data.  Reminders that Fall data is still due will go out to those clubs with the Spring data reminder letters.

Julie reported that the VYSA Workshop was a success.  Many positive comments have been received both from attendees and exhibitors.  Data regarding the attendance and financials is not yet complete.  It looks as though registration for the Workshop was about 125 more attendees than the previous year in Richmond.  The number of exhibitors was more than double.  A survey is being created for feedback from all attendees.  It should be sent by e-mail in the next week.  Those receiving the survey are asked to respond so that their feedback can be used to continue to improve the Workshop. 

Julie reported that she had asked each staff member for feedback from their perspective at the Workshop and had received valuable information.  She asked that Board members and session presenters also provide feedback. Information such as how many attendees were in the sessions and if those attendees at the sessions were actively interested in the topic, as well as feedback on the receptions and general workshop activities overall, is valuable.

VYSA has received a proposal from the Hyatt for 2010 that is very similar to this year’s contract.  There are few cost increases and those that are increased are somewhat insignificant. Julie asked the Board to consider the proposal for the next Workshop.  The date would remain the same weekend, January 22 & 23, 2010.  Board members were in favor of holding the next workshop in Northern Virginia.  They agreed to move forward with the Hyatt proposal.

There was discussion regarding the different focuses of the workshop.  Important factors are: increased number of attendees, increased number of exhibitors, education of coaches, referees and administrators, location of the Workshop, and location of activities within the facility.  The Board discussed changing the title of the Workshop to Convention.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Technical Director Gordon Miller reported that Coaching Education is conducting many courses.  VYSA is hosting a National C license course August 6-9 and 13-16; the location has not yet been determined.  VYSA is also hosting a National Youth license course June 19-21 and 26-28 at Colonial Forest HS in Stafford.  US Soccer sets the state hosted National Youth License courses at 36 candidates. Those interested should register early.  Contact Jackie at the State Office for an application to attend.

Gordon reported that Coaching Education has identified additional new staff and is in the process of apprenticing those new instructors.

The Virginia ODP Friendlies in Williamsburg will be held this coming weekend.  90 teams from around the Region will attend. State Association ODP teams participating include Maryland, Eastern PA, and New Jersey, as well as North Carolina ODP teams from Region II.  

The VYSA 93 boys and girls ODP teams will compete in the National ODP Finals in Dallas in March.  The VYSA 94 and 95 boys and girls ODP teams will travel to the Czech Republic April 9 through 20.  They will land in Vienna and be bused to the Czech Republic.  They also plan to play a game in Bratislava, Slovakia. 

There was some discussion regarding the week chosen for this trip and conflicts with league play and State Cup.  Gordon explained that he tries to reduce the number of players missing school and selects the week most players will be on spring break.  Gordon was asked if the players could return before the weekend.  He explained airline costs were greater if they returned early.  Gordon was asked if a tour group was used.  He reported that the airline reservations were being done through Lufthansa’s tour group, but hotels and busing were arranged through contacts he has in the foreign countries.

Gordon was asked if any Coaching Education Unit (CEU) activities have been scheduled. Gordon stated that CEU’s are typically scheduled around major soccer events and he did not know of any, but would check with US Soccer.

PRESIDENT’S CUP
President Denise Edwards reported that she and Anne Thompson had discussed procedures for the President’s Cup.  This competition is for second level teams.  The fee to enter will be $250 per team to compete at VYSA and champions will pay an additional $200 fee to Region I for the Regional competition.

The number accepted per age group this year, either 8 or 16, will be based on field and referee availability. The dates of sub-Regional Competition between Virginia, Delaware and Maryland at Kirkwood have not been set.  Information will be posted to the web site as it becomes available.  Applications will done online.

Competition will take place this Spring.  Age groups will be U14, U15, U16 and U17.  Current State Cup rules will be used and modified for this competition.  Games are expected to be planned for Saturdays in order to avoid conflict with league schedules.

In the future, older age group competition may not be held in the Spring to avoid conflict with high school season play.  It is expected that in future years, this competition will be open to all interested teams similar to State Cup.

NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING
A memo was received from the President of US Youth Soccer regarding a Special Council Meeting at the US Youth Soccer Workshop in San Jose.  Topics include Small-Sided Games, the Referee Task Force, and the addition of age groups for the National ODP Championships.  Presidents and Technical Directors will meet to discuss these issues on Wednesday, March 4th, and the National Council Meeting will take place Saturday, March 7th.

Gordon Miller commented on the added age groups to the ODP National Championships.  Currently U16 and U17 age groups compete in this competition and it has been approved to add the U15 age group.  A proposal to now add the U14 age group is being presented.  Gordon disagreed with adding the U15 age group and is also opposed to adding this next younger age group.  He explained that the addition of these two younger age groups is contrary to what Technical Directors advocate in that there is too much pressure on players too soon.  Gordon noted that the two youngest age groups in ODP are allowed two teams to participate.  VYSA splits the talent of players between those two teams for two reasons: maturation and scouting.  He explained that players mature at different levels and some that may not appear to be as talented will turn out to be the better players later.  He noted that Region I scouts will only look at the better teams if they believe the teams have been split by talent, leaving the other players no opportunity to be seen, therefore discouraging them from continuing in the program. 

Denise asked for input from Board members for the US Youth National Council meeting.  Board members agreed with Gordon’s comments that U15 and U14 are too young for this competition.

A proposal on small-sided games drafted by Larry Monaco was presented.  This proposal is what US Youth Soccer is currently using.  A proposal from the Oregon Youth Soccer and signed by states in Region IV will also be presented. Both are an attempt to have a policy that will apply to all youth programs in the Federation.  Board members agreed to support Larry’s proposal.  They agreed the Oregon proposal would be a step backward, but a Federation-wide policy for all youth programs is needed.

US Youth Soccer created a Referee Task force to explore the development of an independent US Youth Soccer Referee Program.  A printout of a PowerPoint presentation was distributed.  Denise expressed concern about the Referee Program and did not support its establishment.  Some Board members were in favor of parts of the proposal.  It was agreed that members attending the Workshop in San Jose should
attend the National Council meeting on Saturday, March 7th, at 3:30 pm to help decide what direction VYSA should take.

SECRETARY’S REPORT
Secretary Debi Honaker reported that an application for membership was received from FC Southside United, located in the Danville-Piedmont-Martinsville areas of Virginia.  Debi has reviewed the application and recommended approval.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the membership of FC Southside United, contingent upon the payment of registration fees and the assurance there are enough teams in each age group to compete in regular season play.  It was noted there are conflicts between clubs in that area and this may be the reason for the establishment of this club. The motion passed. 

SOCCER ACROSS AMERICA
A report by Marcelo Gangotena, Soccer Across America chair, was distributed to Board Members.  The report summarized the Soccer Across America session at the VYSA Workshop.  The session was informative and those in attendance learned a great deal about bringing this program to their own clubs.

GOOD OF THE GAME
US Youth Soccer has developed a new Pocket Guide for players and parents.  Copies are available at no cost from the VYSA State Office.  It was noted that this guide would be valuable for our clubs to distribute to schools to encourage players to join.  Board members also recommended the US Youth Soccer Handbook for Small-Sided Games.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm. 

Prepared by    
Julie Caramanica
VYSA Administrator

Next Board Meeting is March 18, 2009, at 7:00 pm at the Sheraton Richmond West.