| 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. | |
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
Larry Monaco Vice President
George Sadler Secretary
Jeff Skigen Treasurer
Linda Sadler Registrar
Bob Maynes North Recreational Commissioner
Roger Ney North Recreational Commissioner
Doug Strobel Central Recreational Commissioner
Ken Halloway Southeast Recreational Commissioner
John Singleton West Recreational Commissioner
Jim Bonfils Boys North Travel Commissioner
Roger Underhill Boys Central Travel Commissioner
Tom Halstead Boys Southeast Travel Commissioner
Anne Thompson Girls North Travel Commissioner
Jane Orem Girls South Travel Commissioner
Board member John Livengood was excused. Also present were Julie Caramanica (State Administrator), Gordon Miller (State Technical Director/ODP Chair), Scott Johnson (Referee), and Christie Bernas (Referee).
APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTESA motion was made and seconded to approve the June 14, 2003 Board Meeting minutes. The motion was approved.
It was noted that the April 23, 2003 minutes did not show the complete change approved to the roster limitations. The motion included that a VYSA Travel League may have additional restrictions on roster sized and notes: VYSA Teams applying to tournaments must make sure the copy of their league roster submitted to the tournament meets the rostering requirements of the tournament.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report (Attachment A) was distributed. Jeff Skigen reported that the overall budget is in good shape. He expects that the actual income and expenses will be very close to breaking even at the end of the year.
Jeff reported that he and VYSA Bookkeeper, Janet Cate, are still negotiating to have fees reduced or eliminated with the bank for our operating account. He also reported that RFP’s for a new auditing company have been received and will be reviewed in August. He will report on the results in September. He explained he is considering changing auditors because, while Grant Thorton is a very good firm, they are also very expensive.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Gordon Miller announced dates for directors of coaching training in each district. The training sessions will bring together those who work with clubs on a regular basis. The sessions will consist of theoretical and field training and state-wide standards will be set. Training will be given for all age-groups, both recreational and travel. Directors of Coaching have been invited. Club Presidents and Recreational and Travel Commissioners will also be notified to help identify the proper people from their clubs to attend.
Gordon reported that he and Gary Allen would like to put in place a six-month waiting period between acquiring an E certificate and participating in a D license course. This gives the coaches one season to put into practice with their teams what they’ve learned, while still keeping their enthusiasm for education. A motion was made and seconded to require coaches to hold an E certificate for six months before taking a D License course, effective January 1, 2004. The motion was approved.
Gordon expressed concern with the youngest age groups’ participation in All-Star tournaments and in travel leagues. He feels too much emphasis is placed on winning, and too little on individual technical development. He noted the US National Staff recommends that travel soccer not begin until U12. He also noted that when coaches of younger players are paid, they feel pressure to win, as parents tend to measure success by wins and losses, rather than by what their children are learning. One way to control this problem is to mandate that select programs not exist below the U12 age group.
A suggestion was made to educate parents about the proper ways to encourage competitive play among younger players. It was agreed that small-sided games and smaller fields will keep the younger players challenged and non-results oriented play may help. Recreation clubs should be encouraged to best develop all their players. It was noted, however, that a need does exist for keeping the top players challenged.
It was asked whether the Board should develop a mandate or just communicate ideas. A motion was made and seconded to form a special committee to evaluate a model and a method to communicate that model for the younger age groups. A suggestion was made to include gathering data in support of the recommended position. The motion passed. Denise asked Bob Maynes to chair that committee.
STATE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
The State Administrator’s Report (Attachment B) was distributed. Julie Caramanica reported that two employees from the bookkeeping department have left VYSA. Interviews are being arranged and at least one new employee should be hired soon.
Julie reported that former Board member Ron Bedwell’s son is terminally ill. A fund at the Richmond Wachovia has been set up to accept contributions for the family. VYSA will send a donation.
The VYSA Directory will be changed to an on-line format. Julie has spoken to two vendors, both of whom offer the service at no cost. She suggested that the entire directory be placed on line for everyone to access, with each Club and League having a password to make changes to its own page. Questions were asked about the possibility of a club or league opting out or making the pages accessible only to those who are already receiving copies. It was agreed that the directory should not be posted for anyone to access, but that those to whom it is already distributed will have passwords to access it.
The VYSA Workshop is planned for the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City in 2004, but a contract has not yet been signed. Proposals were received from both the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City and the Richmond Centre; however, the cost for meeting space at the Hyatt was far less.
Julie showed the Board members a copy of The Laws of the Game Made Easy and will check on the possibility of obtaining copies for each Club and League.
Julie distributed a draft of the Employee Manual to each Board member. She asked for input to be sent to her at the State Office. She will provide a list of comments to all Board members before the August meeting for discussion at that meeting.
KIDSAFE/RISK MANAGEMENT
Roger Ney distributed a report showing clubs and leagues and the number of completed background checks for each. Many clubs have not done any checks or have done only a limited number.
Due to a decrease in pricing, there will be no fee to clubs and leagues for background checks for the upcoming year. Roger and Julie will prepare a letter to be sent to all clubs and leagues. Julie will e-mail information to the Recreational Commissioners so that they can contact their members to help them complete their background checks.
GOAL SPONSORSHIP
Julie reported that Back of the Net is no longer in business. Their VYSA contact, Stuart Pierce, is now working with SteelCraft and has submitted a proposal for sponsorship. It was agreed that having a goal sponsorship would provide a valuable service to the membership, but that further investigation is needed. John Singleton and Jim Bonfils will look at the goals and contact SteelCraft.
COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
A complaint was received at the State Office. It was sent to the Officers, who recommended that it be sent to the Adjudication Committee. The Adjudication Committee felt that this matter was not in its jurisdiction. The Board members suggested that, as a general rule, the VYSA Administrator contact the club for more information when complaints are received. In this particular instance, it was decided to send a copy of the complaint to the club and ask for a report. After receiving the report, a response will be sent to the individual from whom the complaint was received.
REGISTRAR’S REPORT
The Registrar’s Report (Attachment C) was distributed. It was noted that, according to the new registration manual, Board approval of new Assistant State Registrars is no longer required.
Linda Sadler reported she had received a complaint regarding the cancellation of the Colonial Cup. She determined that the Richmond Kickers acted in accordance with their rules regarding the cancellation of that tournament.
Linda reported she has set up meetings in each district with the assistant State Registrars during the month of August.
A motion was made and seconded to add "Region I Leagues" to the "Other" classification for leagues in Roster Pro so that registration for the Region I Directors Leagues can be done in Roster Pro. The motion was approved.
Julie reported that the Demosphere contracts, which include Roster Pro, are being revised. Program Chairs, Larry Monaco, and Tom Halstead were asked to review the contracts; the contracts will then be brought to the entire Board.
SYRA REPORT
Larry Monaco reported that all but one of the referees sent to the Region I Cup were given a semi-final or final match or both. Ben Hichack was selected to go to the Snickers
National Championships, and Danny Townsend was selected for the National Director’s Cup Championship. Also, two referees were asked to stay for the Girls ODP Camp.
VICE PRESIDENT"S REPORT
Larry Monaco plans to send each Program Chair a copy of their approved 2003-2004 budget by the end of the month.
Larry also reported he would like to host a one-day Travel League Soccer Summit and invite US Club and Y Leagues to make presentations. He will put together a proposal for the August meeting. Recreation Clubs would be able to attend if they have at least one travel team.
Larry suggested a need for an updated ODP Manual, including a requirement for each player to sign a code of conduct. He has become aware of incidents that occurred in Europe and during ODP Camp. It cannot be determined that all players signed a code of conduct, so it is difficult to enforce rules and determine what is fair. Coaches as well as players should be held accountable for their actions. It is hoped that a new manual can be approved in September.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Denise Edwards reported that USSF has sent a CD for the AGM in August with 135 pages of ByLaw changes. She noted that there is a US Youth Soccer President’s meeting scheduled before the AGM to discuss the proposed changes.
Denise reported on several items approved by Region I. The MidAtlantic Region I League was approved. The Region lent money to Kirkwood for field development and to Delaware for road improvements into its fields.
GOOD OF THE GAME
There was a discussion regarding the Got Milk Tournament in Beach FC accepting non-US Youth Soccer player passes. This tournament was hosted by a club, but run by a third-party paid promoter. There was concern regarding third parties running tournaments for hosting clubs or leagues, but it was noted that it is becoming more common to have third parties managing the events and, except on occasion, has not been a problem. A suggestion was made to include a form instructing Presidents whose clubs are hosting tournaments that they will be held responsible for following rules, regardless of who is actually running the tournament. VYSA will also conduct spot-checks of tournaments to insure that all the rules of sanctioned tournaments are being followed.
Those from VYSA wishing to attend the Region I meeting in October should contact Julie for reservations. Only the Administrator, VYSA Officers, and those chairing committees that need to attend breakout meetings at the Region I meeting are authorized to attend.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 pm.
Prepared by
Julie Caramanica
VYSA Administrator
Next meeting is August 20, 2003, at 7:30 pm at the Sheraton Richmond West.
