SOUTH CAROLINA YOUTH SOCCER                                                                   APPROVED 6/6/10

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

STATE OFFICE

COLUMBIA, SC

March 21, 2010

 

The meeting was called to order by President, Steve Ballentine at 10:10 am.

 

The following were present and constituted a quorum:  Jane Simmons, Michele Jenkins, Don Mikell, Rick Cunningham, Mary Bynum, Bob Brantley, Doug Bennink, Fred Bieber, Doug Gaddis, Sharon Bieber, Elliott Fayssoux, and Jill Simmons.

 

Staff present:  Van Taylor and Nancy Shultz

 

Guest Present: Justin Collett

 

Michele made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 25, 2010 SC Youth Soccer BOD meeting as amended.  Jane seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

PRESIDENT: Steve Ballentine

 

  • The grievance filed by US Club Soccer, AYSO, and Coast FA against US Youth Soccer, SC Youth Soccer and four other State Associations has been resolved favorably to US Youth Soccer and its State Associations.
    • SCYS Medical/Accident insurance coverage for our members can remain written and we can determine the extent of all future coverage to our members
    • Our SCYS player passes will remain valid for SCYS and USYS events only, although they will be allowed for USSF international tournaments.
    • Clubs hosting “unrestricted tournaments” can charge no more than $25 per team to those “other USSF organizational members” attending the event.
    • The cost to SC Youth Soccer for attorney’s fees to defend against this grievance is $60,936.70 and our insurance coverage is reviewing this case to determine the extent of our coverage, if any.  These charges do not reflect any of the other costs associated with this grievance.

 

Fred made a motion to go to executive session.  Sharon seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

Jane made a motion to go out of executive session.  Michele seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

  • The decision of SC Youth Soccer was upheld in regards to Clark Brisson and he remains under suspension for all USSF activities.
  • The decision of SC Youth Soccer was upheld in regards to Paul Benik and he remains suspended as a certified registrar with SC Youth Soccer ending August 31, 2010.
  • SC Youth Soccer is negotiating to renew our uniform and equipment contract with SCORE America
  • SC Youth Soccer has signed a 3 year contract agreement with AmericanEagle to redesign and host a new website, which is tentatively scheduled to become active on June 1, 2010.  Steve, Michele and Nancy are working with American Eagle – final review will be presented to the BOD for approval.
  • Distributed and discussed the USSF AGM Report
    • The Board was informed that there would be a review of US Soccer’s policy regarding recognition of suspensions by and among Organization Members
    • The Board was updated on the bid for the 2018/2022 World Cup bids.
  • Distributed and discussed the Region III Council Meeting Report
    • Changes to the bid requirements for hosting the Region III Presidents Cup were approved by the Council and changes to the Region III Presidents Cup rules were approved by the Council – both are available on the Region III website.
    • The 2010 Region III Presidents Cup will be held in Tulsa, OK.
    • The 2010 National President Cup will be held in Murfreesboro, TN.
    • Region III Girls ODP coach, Tracey Leone, announced her resignation and will be replaced by her assistant Karen Hoppa.
    • Region III DOC, Mike Strickler announced the Regional ODP Championship competitions will be moved back into the ODP Regional camps.
    • Michele Cox will remain as the acting Region III Girls ODP Administrator at this time.
    • Premier League Rule changes were approved by the Council.  These changes guaranteed each state association two teams in each age division of the Premier League.
    • Dean Frost (Florida) is the new Region III TopSoccer Director.
    • Carolyn Steward, Region IIII Director for Soccer Across America announced that grants were available from USYS to fund programs in underprivileged communities.
    • Jane Llewellyn, Region III Registrar Committee Chair, is working on a generic player pass (for unaffiliated play) to present to Region III.
    • The cost to each State Association for the Regional Referee Mentor Program at the Southern Regional Tournament has been increased from $100 to $1205 effective in 2010. Discussed issues with the programs effectiveness.
  • Distributed and discussed the USYS National Council Meeting
    • Voted to approve a bylaw amendment to establish a permanent Member-at-Large position on the USYS Board of Directors.
    • Jason Vanacour, former President of Arizona Youth Soccer was announced as the new staff legal council for USYS.
    • The 2010 USYS AGM will be held in Kansas on July 19-25.
    • The 2011 USYS Adidas Workshop will be held in Louisville, KY and the 2012 USYS Adidas Workshop will be held in Boston, MA
  • Distributed and discussed the USSF Youth Council Meeting Report.

 

VICE PRESIDENT: Michele Jenkins

 

  • Attended the US Soccer Federation meeting in New Orleans, LA as an alternate delegate for SC Youth Soccer.
  • Attended the USYS leadership Development Symposium and USYS Workshop in Fort Worth, TX
  • The Coaching Committee met in the State Office on March 4, 2010, Van did an excellent job.
  • No hearings at this time.

 

SECRETARY: Doug Bennink

 

  • Discussed status of E-blast newsletter.

 

Doug Gaddis made a motion to discontinue e-blasts after the March edition and use the new SC Youth Soccer website as information source. Bob seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

TREASURER:  Rick Cunningham

 

  • Distributed and discussed financial report
  • Discussed the board making a sizable lump sum payment later this year on our mortgage for the state office.  Deferred to the June BOD meeting for further input.
  • Submitted to the Department of Revenue to get exemption from real estate property taxes based on 501c3 status.  Three exceptions were sent back to which we have responded.  A decision should be made shortly.
  • Federal 990 form needs minor corrections – new form will be filed with the state.

 

CUPS & GAMES: Don Mikell

 

  • All leagues are going well after a rough beginning due to weather problems.
  • Attended a Premier League meeting in Fort Work, TX.  SC Youth Soccer will still be sending a maximum of 2 teams per age group to the Premier League.
  • Sign up sheet for spring tournaments was completed.
  • Discussed Presidents Cup committee feedback.  Commissioners reported on their districts’ responses; Piedmont –varied responses to include leave as is, go to two weekends and go to Challenge Cup format; Midstate – same format as Challenge Cup; Coastal – keep same format or go to Challenge cup format.
  • Discussed flighting for PMSL and possible promotion/relegation in the future. 
  • Flighting for the U13-U16 teams could start for the 2010/2011 fall season with Coaching Committee input.
  • Will bring back recommendation to the board at the June meeting regarding flighting and promotion/relegation and the age which it should start.
  • Discussed long term planning questionnaire
    • Have received only 10 at this time
    • Deadline extended to April 30th.
    • Copies of the questionnaire to be distributed to board
    • Discussion to be held at the June meeting
  • Received bids from various clubs to host the 2010/2011 state cups.  No formal request for the Kohl’s and Publix Palmetto Cups have been received.

 

Fred made a motion to go into executive session.  Sharon seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

Fred made a motion to go out of executive session.  Sharon seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

Carolina FC was awarded the 2010/2011 Publix Presidents Medal Cup.

 

Discoveries Soccer Club was awarded the 2010/2011 Publix Bob Brantley Challenge Cup.

 

The 2010/2011 Kohl’s and Publix Palmetto Cups locations is yet to be decided.

 

  • Sharon and Don will be attending the Region III Presidents Cup in Tulsa, OK.
  • Steve, Don, Elliott, Jane, Michele and Mary will be attending the Southern Regional Tournament in Baton Rouge, LA.
  • Discussed list of referees who will be attending the Southern Regional Tournament.  Fred to have list to Don by April 1st.  Twelve upgraded referees who have worked a state cup competition and 3 assessors will be attending.
  • Discussed issues regarding referee incident between Lexington and Mt. Pleasant and how the matter was handled.  Resignation has been received.

 

REGISTRAR:  Jane Simmons

 

  • Registrar Workshops will be held on April 12th in Greenville, April 24th in Charleston and at the state office in Irmo on May 22nd and June 13th.  Exact times and locations will be available on the website.
  • Continue to work with Demosphere
    • Coaches are now able to come over from the on line system to the state system.
    • Invoicing still being worked on
  • Player Count:
    • Total                18, 964
    • Piedmont             5,565
    • Midstate              8,229
    • Coastal                4,918
    • Out of State            251
    • Classic                4,856
    • Recreation        12,026
    • Academy             1,831
  • Signing numerous tournament team rosters for the academy division
  • Attended the US Youth seminar in Texas.  Will be using and presenting some of the information obtained from the executive directors 2 day session in the upcoming BOD meetings.

 

PIEDMONT DISTRICT COMMISSIONER: Elliott Fayssoux

 

  • Discussed Spartanburg Arsenal applying for reinstatement from bad standing.

 

Michele made a motion to accept Spartanburg Arsenal Soccer Club’s reinstatement letter with the provision that all payments due to SC Youth Soccer must be paid by cashiers/certified check or money order.  Fred seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

  • Received signed notice of complaint from a parent of the U12 recreational team at Spartanburg Arsenal. Also noted that a police report has been filed with Spartanburg City Police regarding an officer of this club.
  • Discussed Piedmont Districts standing on format for the Presidents Cup
  • Discussed past due payments for Cherokee County Soccer Club and United Soccer Club.  He will further look into this matter.
  • Discussed meeting held with CESA and Carolina FC
    • Referee concerns about BOD vote to continue to use 4th official and grade referees during state cup play
    • Requested roll call votes at BOD meetings.
  • Annual Piedmont district council meeting will be held the last weekend of April.  Date and time has not been confirmed but all clubs have been notified.

 

MIDSTATE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER: Sharon Bieber

 

  • Discussed Midstate position on the Presidents cup as noted under Cups & Games

 

Sharon made a motion to go to executive session.  Don seconded the motion. 

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

Sharon made a motion to go out of executive session.  Don seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

  • District Council meeting will be April 11 at the SC Youth Soccer State Office. Notification has been sent via e-mail to the clubs.
  • Sharon is handling hotel rooms at the Country Inn & Suites for the state cup in Sumter.

 

COASTAL DISTRICT COMMISSIONER: Jill Simmons

 

  • Resolved minor grievance between an coach and parent to both parties satisfaction
  • Discussed issues regarding the insurance coverage cost for non-member teams participating in sanctioned tournaments.
  • District Council Meeting will be held on April 25, 2010 in Charleston – location and time to be determined.  Notification to club presidents will go out by March 22, 2010.

 

STATE ODP ADMINISTRATOR: Mary Bynum

 

  • In December 250 girls and 275 boys tried out for ODP including 30 girls and 40 boys for the ODP developmental program.
  • Explained how ODP coaches were hired.  Each year a boys coach and a girls coach were on the ODP committee and helped in the selection of ODP coaches (previous members were Ralph Polson and Marty Beall for the girls and Van Taylor for the boys).   Their priority was to select coaches for the benefit of the players and the success of the program.
  • More than 44 coaches helped with the 2010 tryouts and Sub Regionals of those 20 were club coaches.  It has always been encouraged to have the SC Youth Soccer clubs share in ODP.
  • SC Youth Soccer has secured the Sub Regional for girls if we do not accept the event, Georgia will.

 

Mary made a motion for South Carolina Youth Soccer to accept the January 2011 ODP Sub Regional.  Bob seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

  • The event will be held January 7-9, 2011 at the MeSA Soccer Complex.
  • Proposed dates for the ODP Calendar
    • Boys and Girls tryouts: Sunday, December 5, 2010
    • Makeup tryout date: Saturday, December 18, 2010
    • Boys and Girls Sub Regional (second and last tryout): January 7-9, 2011
  • Discussed changing the ODP coach requirements

 

Mary made a motion that the ODP age group head coach may be a college coach or club coach.  The coach will be selected by the SC Youth Soccer DOC and the ODP Administrator for each age group.  The coach may name his/her staff and all coaches (college and club) would be approved by the SC Youth Soccer DOC and ODP Administrator before allowing a coach to participate in ODP.  An ODP head coach or assistant coach would be one year removed from an age that he/she is coaching for that seasonal year.  Jane seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

RULES & COMPLIANCE: Bob Brantley

 

  • See attached report

 

STATE YOUTH RECREATION DIRECTOR: Doug Gaddis

 

§         Met with Van to discuss member survey and planning of state recreational manual.

  • The recreational Player Development Clinics for all U10 recreational players are scheduled in each district for the first week of May.  Exact time and locations TBD.
  • Doug is working with Van to finalize the Recreational Coaching Manual.
  • Requested input from Coastal District Commissioner for Youth Soccer Month activities.
  • Discussed grants being handled by the Member at Large unless they are specifically targeted to the recreation program such as Youth Soccer Month.

 

MEMBER AT LARGE: Fred Bieber

 

§         Adult Association cancelled state cup due to lack of participation.

§         Advanced referee training for all referees is being offered before the Southern Regional Tournament in Columbia. 

§         Reports from the SRC Committee meeting should go to Steve and Don.

 

STAFF REPORTS:


DIRECTOR OF COACHING & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT: Van Taylor

 

  • Confirmed dates to host US Youth Soccer National Youth License.  The course will be held at the C.W. Flowers Complex, Mt. Pleasant, SC July 30-August 1 and August 7-8, 2010.
  • E Certification course curriculum changes will take place in January 2011.
  • The Coaching Committee - ODP
    • recommended a standardized ODP training schedule to help alleviate training scheduling problems. This would have minimize interference with club, league, and tournament play; thus allowing greater participation due to fewer conflicts. 
    • Also discussed having a standardized curriculum for each age group.
  • The Coaching Committee  - Leagues
    • recommended that when a team applies to a league that a limit be placed on the number of teams per division.  A limit of ten (10) teams per division is recommended.
    • A committee would determine what division a team would be placed (similar to when a team applies to participate in a tournament.
    • The SC Youth Soccer Coaching Committee would serve as this committee
    • Field usage for league play is a concern in regard to overuse.  –  board discussed various ways to handle

§         The Coaching Committee discussed recruiting with no real answers presented.

§         The Coaching Committee endorsed the implementation of the SC Youth Soccer Player Development Program (PDP).

§         The Coaching Committee – Referees

    • Questioned the oversight and accountability of the Referee Association in regards to SC Youth Soccer.             
      • Sharing of assessments not permitted
      • Complaints can be submitted

§         The Coaching Committee recommends the hiring of a full time state DOC.

 

MODIFICATRION TO THE CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS

 

  • None

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

  • Discussed SC Youth Soccer 2010/2011 calendar. 
    • Administrative Assistant will send out copy
    • BOD make any changes with copies to all
    • Final approval by e-mail vote
  • World Cup bid proposal request discussed

 

Fred made a motion that SC Youth Soccer sends $5000 to the US Soccer for their bid proposal to host the FIFA World Cup in either 2018 or 2022.  Jane seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION FAILED

 

ELECTIONS:

 

  • None

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

  • Received request to change state office hours.

 

Don made a motion to change the state office hours to Monday through Thursday from 9am to 4 pm.  Sharon seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

  • Discussed rule changes.

Fred made a motion to accept the change to Rule C-23 to read …. This player pass is valid only for activities and events approved by SC Youth Soccer, US Youth Soccer and its State Associations and USSF international tournaments.  Jane seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

Fred made a motion to accept eliminating Rule M. Restricted and Unrestricted Tournaments and to change Rule C-2b Unaffiliated Play to read ….Any matches, competitions, or events with organizations NOT affiliated with SC Youth Soccer or other State Associations of USYS shall be considered unaffiliated play with the exception of international competitions, at home or abroad.  SC Youth Soccer team/players choosing to participate in unaffiliated play do not need permission or travel forms from SC Youth Soccer and will not be representing SC Youth Soccer nor carrying any SC Youth Soccer insurance coverage, unless SC Youth Soccer or other State Associations of USYS have approved the Permission to Host Agreement as an “unrestricted tournament” and Rule C-2d Non-Sanctioned Travel to read … is any out of state travel to matches, competitions, or events with organizations NOT affiliated with USYS or any of its State Associations.  This does not apply to international competitions at home or abroad.  SC Youth Soccer teams/players choosing to travel out of state to participate in unaffiliated play do not need permission or travel forms from SC Youth Soccer and will not be representing SC Youth Soccer nor carrying any SC Youth Soccer insurance coverage, UNLESS the State Association of USYS has approved the Permission to Host Agreement as an “unrestricted tournament”.  No person, group, or entity shall by affirmative misrepresentation or by the failure to disclose material facts mislead any other person into believing that travel to or participation in on-sanctioned events or travel is authorized, approved, or otherwise sanctioned by SC Youth Soccer or US Youth Soccer, effective August 1, 2010. Jane seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED

 

  • Fred Bieber appointed SRA for new two year term.
  • Conflict of Interest must be signed annually
  • Field Committee discussed land/field development status
  • June 5 will be the long term planning meeting from 1-5 in Columbia.  The June 6 BOD meeting will be from 9-?
  • Parent of the Year and Coach of the Year nominations are due June 1.

 

Jane made a motion to adjourn.  Sharon seconded the motion.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Doug Bennink

Secretary