| 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
March 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 7:05 pm. Board members present were:
| Denise Edwards |
President |
| Ray Greenberg |
Vice President |
| Debi Honaker |
Secretary |
| Jim Bonfils |
Treasurer |
| Steve Bender |
North Recreational Commissioner #2 |
| Tom Gross |
DC Recreational Commissioner |
| Bob Sokolinsky |
Southeast Recreational Commissioner |
| John Singleton |
West Recreational Commissioner
and #4 Travel Commissioner
|
| Dave Amsler |
#1 VCCL Travel Commissioner |
| Anne Thompson |
#2 WAGS Travel Commissioner |
| Chris Friant |
#3 VSLI Travel Commissioner |
Board Members Bob Maynes, Roger Underhill, and Paul O’Connell were excused. Also present were Julie Caramanica (VYSA Administrator) and Gordon Miller (VYSA Technical Director).
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES
A motion was made and seconded to approve the February 18, 2009, Board meeting minutes. The minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report (Attachment A) was distributed. Jim Bonfils reported that Spring registration fees will begin arriving soon. Jim also reported that our insurance carrier has notified us that if our registration numbers are lower than anticipated, rates may be reduced. There has been no indication yet that insurance rates will increase due to the ongoing lawsuit.
STATE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Julie Caramanica distributed the State Administrator’s Report (Attachment B). Letters for Spring fees and data have been sent. Several of those who had not yet sent Fall fees and/or data have responded to notices sent with Spring letters. Spring registration fees are due April 15th; data is due May 15th.
Directories were sent to all Board and committee members. A directory was sent to each club and league.
Future Board meetings need to be set, as meetings are only scheduled through August.
Julie distributed a report of information from the Workshop. She requested Board members ask their constituents about sessions they would like to see at next year’s event. The next Workshop will be held January 22, 23, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington.
A motion was made and seconded to purchase four tickets for the Washington Freedom games. The motion was approved.
A request was received for a donation to the Kicks Against Breast Cancer Tournament. A motion was made and seconded to donate $1,000 from Good of the Game to the Kicks Against Breast Cancer Tournament. It was noted that the amount budgeted for Good of Soccer has already been spent and that VYSA has already made a contribution for teams entered in the tournament. The motion was amended to change the amount to “up to $1,000”, pending budget review. The motion was approved.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Gordon Miller reported that the VA ODP Friendlies in Williamsburg were successful. He reported that 90 teams from throughout the Region and North Carolina participated in the event. The 93 Boys and 93 Girls ODP teams leave the following day for the National Championship in Dallas. This coming Saturday is the last ODP training session. The 94 and 95 Boys and Girls ODP teams are going to the Czech Republic April 9th-20th. Gordon was commended for the excellent planning for that trip.
The 93 Boys Region I ODP team that included 3 Virginia players went to Argentina. Those players are Will Hare, Kyler Sullivan, and Eric Bird. The 91 Boys Region I ODP team, which went to Costa Rica, rostered 2 Virginia players, David Rocah and Parker Walsh. Parker was unable to attend, as he was in Hamburg, Germany, for several months training with the U18 team. Parker will then be attending UVA on a full scholarship.
The Coaching Education DVD is now available for viewing. Gordon reported he is pleased with the finished product. It will be a part of the E Certificate Course and will also be available for sale.
On-line Coaching Education is being researched. The Technical Department has spoken with 5 different companies. They plan to try an experiment with a portion of online coaching education at a future D course. Gordon gave examples of different aspects of online coaching education that are being considered – lectures on line, video components, on-line chat rooms. They are considering all variations and costs. If lectures are put on line, more time is available for field work, but consideration must be given to insure that coaches have actually read and understood the online portion.
Gordon reported that four new coaches are being apprenticed for the Coaching Education Staff. Gordon noted that the number of D and E courses has increased from the same period last year. The focus has been on the number of E’s.
ADJUDICATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Ray Greenburg reported that Patrick Simmons, who had been suspended under US Youth Soccer Bylaw 252, has requested reinstatement. He has been acquitted of all alleged charges. A motion was made and seconded to reinstate Patrick Simmons, effective immediately. The motion was approved.
A hearing for an allegation of referee abuse is scheduled the following Sunday in Richmond for a player with the Southside Indoor Soccer League.
PRESIDENTS CUP
Anne Thompson reported that progress on the Presidents Cup is coming slowly, as the policy put out by US Youth Soccer has differences from Region I policies. An online application has been completed and will be posted on the VYSA web site. Anne has completed the calendar. The rules are as complete as is possible at this time but may have some revisions later if needed. VYSA plans to accept the first eight qualified teams in each age group that apply. Applications will be due on April 15th, games will be played in May, the Sub-regional Tournament is in June at the Kirkwood Complex in Delaware, and the Finals are in Raleigh, North Carolina, in July.
Notice will be posted when the application is available on line. There was discussion whether teams could enter both State Cup and Presidents Cup. It was agreed that the U14 age group could not participate in both for this Spring since both are being played at the same time, but U15, U16 and U17 players can participate even if they played State Cup in the Fall.
STATE CUP
Anne Thompson reported that State Cup applications are still coming in. The application deadline is this coming Friday. The seeding is set for April 1st. Anne emphasized that no outside rankings are taken into consideration for the seeding process.
The Board expressed appreciation to Anne Thompson for her efforts in both State Cup and this new Presidents Cup.
The Board went into Executive Session.
SOCCER ACROSS AMERICA
A report by Marcelo Gangotena, Soccer Across America chair, was distributed to Board Members. The report summarized the Soccer Across America meeting at the US Youth Soccer Workshop.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Ray Greenberg reported that he attended the US Soccer Federation AGM; he distributed his notes from that meeting to the Board. He noted that the format for the National ODP tournament was discussed and that neither U14 nor U15 age groups will compete in that tournament. There was a proposal to mandate a small sided game policy at the Federation, but it was not approved.
US Club Soccer requested to change their status at US Soccer from National Affiliate to Associate. That request was not approved.
GOOD OF THE GAME
It was reported that Wayne Gilbert of the Suburban Friendship League in Northern Virginia had passed away. The Board noted his passing and noted his tremendous lifetime of service to youth soccer in Virginia. Jim Rodden has been elected commissioner.
Denise noted next month, the April 22, 2009 meeting will be a long meeting. The job description for an executive director as well as regular agenda items will be discussed.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.
Prepared by
Julie Caramanica
VYSA Administrator
Next Board Meeting is April 22, 2009, at 7:00 pm at the Sheraton Richmond West.
