New Policy on Select Soccer in SYSA
(approved 1-9-06)
Explanation: This is a policy statement
arising out of a six-month process to examine SYSA’s select soccer situation in
light of member and administrative concerns, an action called for under the
Association’s current Strategic Plan. The process included (in sequence):
From this process a series of options for
structural, administrative and tryout adjustments and changes were developed.
At the regular January SYSA meeting, those options were presented and from them
this plan, also known as Option #5, was synthesized to reflect the broadest
possible consensus. It was a majority decision (12-1
with two clubs not voting).
Implementation of this policy for the
2006-2007 soccer season will require cooperative
actions on the part of member clubs, existing SYSA select teams and programs,
beginning with tryouts in March 2006. Every attempt has been made to allow
existing select teams to complete their path through the coming years, with
adjustments to new levels of administrative oversight at club and Association
levels as called for by the members in the process
Next Step: to examine the guidelines in
Attachment B below and to adopt them as the Board of Commissioners sees fit.
From that step a series of changes to by-laws, rules and regulations will be
proposed for adoption at the April 2006 Annual General Membership (AGM) to
reflect the changes inherent in this policy.
On
Explanation: This item reflects an SYSA Board decision at the December
2005 regular meeting. It adds a level of definition to ECFC’s
role in relation to the Association and other select entities that has not previously
existed.
On non
Explanation: This item reflects the Board’s recognition that individual
recreational soccer-focused clubs are not the best vehicle to manage select
teams. SYSA’s Hillwood and Shorelake clubs have developed a viable model
through their cooperative formation of the FC Shoreline program. This
neighborhood-based effort allows for a structured approach to local select
teams without overwhelming key club volunteers in carrying out their main
administrative focus on recreational players.
Next Step: In Board
discussions of this item it was strongly suggested that member clubs
voluntarily form these regional programs based on broad geographic areas such
as North, Central and South or whatever combinations allow for a cohesive
structure.
Explanation: This item reflects the Board’s ongoing concern with the
intent and financial regulation of select team formation. It makes clear that
youth soccer efforts under the Association’s regulation are to be mission-based
efforts under the guidelines of nonprofit organizations and IRS rules.
Next Step: Any team and programs must be able
to show nonprofit affiliation to be registered in the 2006 –2007 season year
and beyond.
Explanation: This item reflects the Board’s intent to apply minimum
standards to select team and program formation to ensure consistency and
provide a baseline of quality. As stated above these guidelines will be
examined, modified as seen fit by the Board of Commissioners and integrated
into guiding documents of the Association.
Explanation: This item reflects the Board’s desire to provide a central
point of administrative oversight for all SYSA select teams outside of ECFC.
ECFC under current by-laws is responsible directly to the Board of
Commissioners for any activity outside of its internal administrative dealings.
On U-11 Tryouts:
Explanation: This item reflects the Board’s attempt to resolve multiple
concerns raised by members about the current tryout structure by implementing a
single citywide tryout, beginning with 2006 U11 players. The operating concept
is to add an additional age group in each subsequent year, eventually replacing
the multiple tryout system. Existing select teams above U11 are encouraged to
voluntarily participate in a single age/gender group tryout beginning in 2006.
Citywide
Tryout
Organization
SYSA
will create a subcommittee to organize and execute the citywide tryouts and
selection process. This committee might
consist of, amongst others, the VP of Development – Select, the SYSA Scheduler
and one representative from ECFC.
Select team coaches are responsible for
player evaluation.
All select team coaches will work together
to determine best placement of players dependent upon players’ level of
interest, commitment and ability.
Ability to form teams is dependent not only
upon the number of tryout participants and results, but also upon the number of
qualified coaches who can be found for each age group and gender.
Pre-tryout
clinics will take place in the weeks prior to the official tryout date.
1. Expose kids to
various coaches
2. Smaller groups
allow for more personal attention
3. Clinics are less
intimidating than one large tryout
4. Players have a
chance to get exposed to different training
1. Coaches from the
various teams who have applied to play district I silver and/or gold for fall
2006
2. Any SYSA or CYO U10
boy or girl
Communication
1. Have a U10 coaches
meeting to alert them to the clinics
2. Make it clear that
participation is encouraged for those who wish to play select in fall 2006
3. Post times &
locations on SYSA website and send email to parents, coaches, clubs, etc.
Attachment B
Requirements for Select Team formation
Commencing with new teams
For the 2006/7 fall season.
The 6 items listed below along with the preamble were approved at the SYSA Board of Commissioners meetings on 2-6-06 and 3-6-06.
The following are minimum standards a team must meet in order to be approved to hold tryouts and compete at the State, Commissioners Youth League or District levels:
1. Application (on a standard form) must be submitted to and approved by an SYSA club and a copy of the approval is to be forwarded to SYSA.
2. There must be a designated team manager
3. Coach must have a USSF E or equivalent higher license by the start of league play and must attain a D or equivalent higher license within 2 years.
4. All select teams should make available a minimum of but not limited to 1 scholarship or the equivalent using free and reduced lunch guidelines to determine qualification.
5. A financial report, updated quarterly, must be available for review upon request by SYSA, the registering club or the team parents.
6. Each team must have a designated team treasurer who is responsible for the team’s fiscal matters and who is not the coach or trainer.
Additionally, for the 2005/6 season, a $100 per select team fee was approved. This fee will be reviewed at the 4-22-06 AGM.
Also approved at the 2-6-06 meeting, was the following regarding the SYSA logo.
Commencing with the 2006/7 season, all Association clubs are directed to begin applying the SYSA logo (graphic of Space Needle with 1969 below, embroidery, silk screened or otherwise printed, or a patch) to player uniforms. This should be done on a rolling basis, as each club replaces its' stock uniforms. The logo should be placed in one of the following locations in descending order of preference.
1) Placement on the upper left jersey sleeve, centered on short sleeve, 2.5 to 3.0 inches high
2) Placement on right jersey sleeve as above.
3) If you do not have a club logo on the breast, place the SYSA logo on either breast.
4) Placement anywhere on the upper 1/2 of the jersey.
SYSA expects all member clubs to follow IRS regulations including the appropriate use of Form 1099-Misc for payments to coaches/trainers.
Team Fiscal Responsibility Statement
In
August 2003, the Seattle Youth Soccer Board of Commissioners approved the
following motion. As a part of your team's process of selecting players and subsequentially registering them within a SYSA club, the
following statement, with your team's name injected in the proper spot, must be
signed by each player's parent or guardian.
While there have been no know situations of fiscal irresponsibility on the part of any SYSA select teams' managers or coaches, there have been situations in other clubs and this is a recognition of the potential for problems and the parent's responsibilty for their own monies.
From the minutes of the August 25, 2003 SYSA Board of Commissioners Meeting:
“It
is moved that SYSA require the parent or guardian of every select player
registered with SYSA sign the following statement:
“I understand that while the
____________________ (team name) has been organized under the jurisdiction of
the Seattle Youth Soccer Association (SYSA) and its member clubs neither SYSA
nor its member clubs monitor the collection and disbursement of team money and
therefore can not be held responsible for the oversight of such funds. I
understand that it is my individual responsibility as a parent to make sure the
coach, treasurer or other parent charged with managing the team’s funds does so
in a fiscally responsible manner.”
To assure that parents have the information required to monitor a team’s fiscal management, the SYSA strongly recommends that each select team prepare a budget for parent approval at the beginning of each year and a budget report at the end of the year showing how funds have actually been spent. It is recommended that these reports be submitted to the local club for record keeping.”
Motion passed with all voting in favor except 2 abstentions.
Please feel free to contact SYSA VP Operations or your club commissioner or registrar if you have any questions regarding this policy. This financial disclosure may be a part of the online registration process for select teams.