March 2003 Minutes
March 5, 2003 Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
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The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association, Inc., was called to order by President Denise Edwards at the Sheraton West Richmond at 7:30 pm. Board members present were:
Denise Edwards President
George Sadler Secretary
Jeff Skigen Treasurer
Bob Maynes North Recreational Commissioner
Doug Strobel Central Recreational Commissioner
Ken Halloway Southwest Recreational Commissioner
Roger Underhill Boys Central Travel Commissioner
Tom Halstead Boys Southeast Travel Commissioner
Anne Thompson Girls North Travel Commissioner
Brenda Down, Roger Ney, John Livengood, Mark Walsh, and Jane Orem were excused. Also present were Gordon Miller (State Technical Director/ODP Chair), Dave Linenberger (Assistant State Technical Director), Larry Monaco (Adjudication Committee Co-Chair/SYRA), Gil McCallister (SRC Chair), and Linda Sadler (Touchline Chair),
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report was distributed (Attachment A).
ODP SCHOLARSHIP POLICY
A motion was made and seconded that ODP Scholarships will automatically be approved by the State Office if the player requesting the scholarship is on free or reduced lunch program or if the family’s annual income is less than $45,000. Jeff stated that currently the only exception to ODP scholarship requests is for foreign travel; scholarships for foreign travel are not accepted. Discussion followed. Jeff stated that he and George Sadler determined that a standardized amount would protect the State by eliminating subjectivity; they recommended an income of $45,000 per year be the cut-off level for scholarship requests. It was suggested that VYSA should be flexible and consider costs of living in different areas of the state and extenuating circumstances such as divorce or job loss.
A motion to amend the original motion was made and seconded that the new policy become effective in August at the beginning of the next ODP cycle. The motion to amend failed.
The original motion, that Scholarships will be automatic if a player is in a school lunch program or if the family income is less than $45,000 per year was voted on. The motion was approved.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Gordon Miller introduced a presentation about the ODP Program, the Coaching Education Program, the Recreational Coaches’ Handbook, and small-sided games.
Dave Linenberger reported on the Olympic Development Program as it is currently being run.
Player Identification
*ODP players are identified through District Training, State Training and the Scouting program, which involved networking with the Club coaches
Coach Selections
*ODP looks for the best possible coaches and scouts.
*Coaches represent all areas of the State and also various levels, including college, club directors, and youth coaches.
*Coaches must have integrity and good moral character, as well as good skills on the field and the ability to work with the players.
ODP Schedule
A master ODP schedule for the upcoming year, beginning in August, will be put together and will take into consideration club schedules, State Cup, major tournaments, etc., to avoid as many conflicts as possible.
Notable Players
Dave noted two players, Drew Harrison and Corey Ashe who have come through the Virginia ODP and are currently in the U17 National Team residential program in Bradenton.
Centralized Training Site
*Dave explained that a centralized location for training is important to minimize driving times and to help create a focused environment.
*It gives players the opportunity to see older age groups training and how they fit into the state-wide program.
*Support staff, trainers, and goalkeeper coaches are always present.
*Either Gordon or Dave is available at all times during the training to give coaches input and feedback.
*It also enables Gordon and Dave to have a good knowledge of the players so that they are able to speak with college, Regional, and National Team Coaches about them.
*Gordon and Dave have an opportunity to see Coaches working with their teams.
Overview of Training and Games for Development
*90’s are entry level to get accustomed to the program
*89’s and 87’s have International Travel important for elite player development to be immersed in a "soccer country" to experience different styles and cultures. This year Boys teams are going to Spain and Girls teams are going to France.
*88’s and 86’s play for ODP National Championship
*86’s and 85’s/84’s played in College Showcase in Phoenix
Dave and Gordon were asked to develop objective criteria to evaluate the ODP. In answer to a question about foreign travel during a possible war, Dave said they were following the recommendations of the State Department.
Gordon noted that it was important that coaching education, player development, recreation coaches development, small sided games are all linked and dependent on each other.
Gordon reported on the Coaching Education Program:
*C and B License Courses are scheduled at Virginia Wesleyan this summer
*He would like to make additions to the State Staff
*The State will set up courses at specific sites and specific dates for each year, as well as still allowing individual clubs to set up courses
Gordon presented the Recreation Coaches’ Handbook, which is available for download from the VYSA website. He also spoke about town hall meetings which will be held in various parts of the State to discuss the implementation of small-sided games. Coaching Education Staff and District Coaches will be available to help individual clubs.
STATE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
The State Administrator’s Report was distributed (attachment B). Denise presented the key points. She asked that the April Board meeting be changed because of Spring Break. It was agreed to cancel the March meeting and change the April meeting to the 23rd. The Board agreed to again purchase four season tickets to DC United home games.
The USSF Foundation is holding a dinner again this year. The cost is $500 per plate. A motion was made and seconded to buy two tickets to the USSF Foundation’s dinner to show support. The motion passed.
The Holiday Inn tournament database is activated on the VYSA web site. Those wishing to apply to host a tournament or games must now apply on line.
All Board members, committee members, volunteers and staff are required to submit KidSafe, Confidentiality, and Conflict of Interest forms each year. Those who have not yet submitted their forms were reminded to submit them as soon as possible.
The State Office has requested that the fax-back hotline be discontinued. It was asked if the hotline can remain active without the fax-back portion.
The try-out advertising service on the website is now being offered at no cost to VYSA. VYSA will now offer the service to its members at no fee.
SRC REPORT
Larry Monaco reported that VYSA must give the Region its list of referees for the ODP Tournament and State Cup by April 14th. Recommendations were to be made to the Board at the March 19th meeting, but because that meeting was canceled, the Board agreed to accept recommendations made by State Referee Technical Staff.
Larry reported that the Referee Soccer Academy will be held July 20 -25 at the University of Richmond. Both a Basic and an Advanced Academy will be held. A series of shortened academies is being planned for northern Virginia.
RECREATION COMMITTEE
Ken Halloway reported that the Recreation Committee held a conference call to discuss ways to best reach clubs to help them implement the small-sided games and let them know how they can request additional support. In an effort to show members what is available to them from VYSA, The Recreation Coaches’ Handbook and the Coaching Education Course calendar, as well as the President’s Welcome Package introducing the Recreational Commissioners to the clubs, will be sent to each recreational club.
Ken noted that a budget must be prepared for the Recreation Committee and asked all Recreation Commissioners to be involved in that process.
Ken noted that e-mails will be sent to the clubs informing them of the town hall meetings to be held in their area. Meetings have been scheduled for Central, North and Southeastern Virginia.
TOUCHLINE COMMITTEE
The Touchline Report was distributed (Attachment C). Linda Sadler made one addition to her report; two referee articles are also in the current issue of the Touchline.
She announced that Rob Zeigler has resigned as editor. Linda noted that revenue was down from prior years and that the new editor will be asked to also sell ads to increase revenue. The committee would like to make the Touchline more informative for its readers. They would like to make it more interesting and also have updates to the Touchline on the website.
There was concern with continuing Touchline at it’s current cost. Others questioned whether it was being read. Linda noted that the Committee will look into increasing revenue and readership.
FIELD’S REPORT
Jeff Skigen presented a report from Travesky and Associates, consultants in land use and zoning permits, who are helping to make the fields complex a reality. They have met with the Quinn Farm Project, Fairfax County Park Authority, and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, all with minimal results. More promising meetings have been held with Chris Reed, Executive Director of the Fairfax Youth Sports Center at Laurel Hill, on a 31-field, $30 million, multi-use complex. Mr. Reed is hoping Fairfax County will lease/purchase the facility from his foundation on a long-term basis for the same amount of money that it will cost to construct. There was discussion whether Fairfax County actually will commit to support this program, if preliminary studies have been done with the land, and who will determine which groups will have primary use of the fields.
Roger Underhill reported that a group headed by Ukrop is trying to develop an area of land north of Richmond into a soccer complex. He noted it is centrally located in the state which will be suited for ODP activities. He will get that information to Jeff. However, based on what he has learned from the Maryland Soccerplex, Jeff noted that a VYSA Soccer Park must be located in northern Virginia, since the majority of the funding is by the players in the area in which it is located, and the majority of VYSA’s players live in the north. Jeff also noted that sponsorships will be an important component of the funding.
TRAVEL AND TOURNAMENT POLICY CHANGEs
Larry Monaco reported changes announced at the last Federation Board meeting:
*There is now a one sentence policy on registration: " A player must register with an organization member according to the registration rules of that organization member". VYSA and US Youth Soccer are both organization members.
*On competition participation, the phrases "closed" and "open" tournaments have been changed to "restricted" and "unrestricted" tournaments. Unrestricted tournaments are open to all Federation members; any tournament that allows international participants must be an unrestricted tournament. Restricted tournaments are open only to members of a single organization member or a subset thereof.
*No organization member or member of an organization member shall interfere with the opportunity of a player, coach or team to travel to compete in a competition and shall not deny permission to travel unless the player is being disciplined. Several states have adopted a policy stating that U-10s may not go out of state and may not compete in tournaments. The new Federation policy states that U-10s must be allowed to travel and compete in tournaments.
VYSA already follows these new policies and thus will not be making changes.
REGISTRAR’S REPORT
Denise reported for Brenda Down that RosterPro is being tested and will be up and running in September.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
George Sadler reported that Old Dominion Football Club has submitted an application to become a member of VYSA. He recommended they be approved for membership. A motion was made and seconded to accept the Old Dominion Football Club for membership in VYSA. The motion passed. Radford Soccer Club has submitted an application to become a member of VYSA. George recommended they be approved for membership. A motion was made and seconded to accept the Radford Soccer Club for membership in VYSA. The motion passed.
Lynchburg United Soccer has requested permission for its U12 girls and U14 and U18 ages to play with non-member clubs, since no VYSA teams are available. A motion was made and seconded to allow those age groups in Lynchburg United Soccer to play with nonmember clubs. The motion passed.
Glenn Patterson has requested reinstatement into VYSA. A motion was made and seconded to reinstate Glenn Patterson into VYSA. A move to amend the motion to lift the suspension on Sept.1, 2003, based upon satisfactory completion of his one-year suspended sentence, was made. The motion to amend was defeated. A move to amend the motion to lift the suspension on Dec. 2, 2003, based upon satisfactory completion of this one-year suspended sentence, was made. The motion to amend was withdrawn. A vote was taken on the motion to reinstate Glenn Patterson immediately. The motion was defeated. A motion was made and seconded that Glenn Patterson remain suspended and that he may reapply for reinstatement not before Dec. 2, 2003. The motion passed.
TOPSOCCER
Denise reported for Dave Williams that six new TopSoccer programs have been started and he is working with several other clubs. He was given a grant and equipment from the Northern Virginia High School Coaches and also a grant from US Youth Soccer.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Denise presented information from the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Indianapolis. The US Youth Soccer ByLaws are being rewritten, but they have not yet been sent to the State Presidents. A grievance against Super Y League and US Clubs was filed because they reactivated the information on their website. There was an announcement about a US Youth Soccer fee increase which will be discussed again at the next meeting. The Region I Meeting discussed small-sided games, particularly 8v8 for under-12s.
The Board went into Executive Session. When the Board returned from Executive Session, there being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Prepared by Julie Caramanica
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