SOUTH CAROLINA YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
November 16, 2002
President Fred Bieber called the meeting to order at 10:18 a.m. The following members were present and constituted a quorum: Fred Bieber, Steve Ballentine, Cathy Ballentine, Joey Mouton, Danny Plummer, Bob Brantley, Mary Bynum, Barry Bynum, Dawn Anderson, and Ronnie Lattimore.
Board Members not in attendance but excused: Michael Cook, Madelyn Carter, and Roban Benich.
Guests in attendance: Nancy Shultz, SCYSA Administrative Assistant; Van Taylor, SCYSA Director of Coaching Development and Player Education.
Minutes from the September 15, 2002 BOD meeting were reviewed.
Motion: Motion to accept the minutes was made by Steve and seconded by Joey. Motion passed unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS: Fred
* Red Cards - seeing a lot of them! At the November SCSCL-PMSL meetings (meeting were in preparation of spring play), not tracking red cards through invitational tournaments was questioned. Barry noted that he doesn't receive all red card reports (per Steve, Premier League has its own formal requirement for recordation), thus each District Commissioner should double check State cup applications and Red Card Tracking Forms (RCTFs). It was further noted that teams must submit their own Incident Report within 48 hours after receipt of Red Cards and it was discussed that this requirement could be added to the RCTF now in use.
* Player fees must increase to meet increase costs of USYSA affiliation and player-related costs. One increase noted was the USYSA Legal Defense Fund which requires $3000 from SCYSA - fee is based on the number of votes the State Association (SCYSA has three (3)) has in Association matters times $1000. Another encumbrance is a $.50 increase in registration of all players with SCYSA. Finally, increased player insurance costs, discussed in the August 7 SCYSA minutes, must be dealt with. It was decided to establish a committee to determine how much to increase fees to SCYSA members. Committee will include: Barry, Joey, Doug, Steve, and Nancy. Barry suggested that additional revenues may be generated by attracting more D.O.R. & YMCA programs into a "stepped" fee structure being investigated by the SCYSA State Youth Recreation Committee.
* US Adult Soccer Association (USASA), SC Amateur Soccer Association (SCASA) representatives attended a portion of the BOD meeting. Attendees included Linos Cotsapas, Luis Garcia (Hispanic League in Charleston), Michael Smith, Bob Poyer, Fred Bieber, and Andy Marion. SCASA members gave an abbreviated overview of its mission, structure, and some of the issues it fa ces.
a. SCASA registrations include approximately 500 players in Columbia; 800 in Charleston, and 300 in Greenville. In Charleston, a dedicated Hispanic League, Liga Latina, has 20+ teams.
b. SCASA is trying to reinstate a series of State Championships by skill level as it last did 6-7 years ago. Also trying to require Men's Amateur State Select for those highly skilled and competitive squads.
c. Group is concerned about not receiving enough participants who are 'graduating' from SCYSA as currently less than a dozen youth per year move into Amateur League. Nancy suggested mailing lists to those players "aging out" of SCYSA - Association could provide the Amateurs needed data. Barry suggested SCASA do a Newsletter like SCYSA's to enhance exposure.
d. Both associations promised more cooperation, assistance, and resource sharing in the future.
* Fred noted that the rule prohibiting women from wearing sleeveless jerseys has finally been rescinded by FIFA.
* Fred emphasized that neither State Association, nor any National Association organized under FIFA may deviate from the FIFA mandated red-carded suspensions. This means players must serve at least a one-game suspension for the receipt of a disqualification .
* Steve wants the Fee Committee to factor in SCASA resources in their analysis for proposed fee increases.
* The State Referee Committee is trying to establish a Youth Recreation one-day, introduction to refereeing course. Course would prepare young referees to work in-house matches for younger players and get an indoctrination before seeking conventional certifications. The Committee meeting 23rd of November in Columbia.
VICE PRESIDENT: Steve
* Risk Management -2,561 Volunteer Disclosure Forms submitted to date - 2,252 received last year. Increase indicates better compliance, however, compliance not in effect at all clubs. Deadline was 10/15/02 but Lexington DOR and Palmetto Soccer Club a still have paperwork due. Danny has spoken with Lexington and Bob will coordinate with Palmetto to secure paperwork.
* Steve is nearing completion of a random background checks resulting in 3 hearings .
* Risk Management - It has been suggested that each League and club provide directions to the closest emergency medical facilities from active playing venues. Steve would like to have this information by 1/15/03.
* Discipline & Appeals
a. Referee discovered on SLED List who had not disclosed past felony activity and was suspended for inappropriate "conduct away from Match". A joint hearing with SCASA & SCYSA representatives was conducted and a permanent suspension upheld. It was also decided that the State High School League be notified of the action.
b. Two appeals in Upstate were reviewed and were remanded back to the District Commissioner.
c. It was noted that any and all hearings must afford due process.
d. Barry noted that he and/or the State Cup Committee are also empowered to conduct a hearing to afford due process with regards to Cup matters.
e. Steve emphasized that anytime a player or team is suspended it is best to have a hearing to afford due process.
* Newsletter articles are due today! Steve requested Barry provide an articles on SCSCL. Steve still needs articles. If interested but without a topic, please see Steve as he may extend the deadline a few more days.
TREASURER: Joey
* No reports although Joey requested fiscal responsibility for this financial quarter as proceeds gradually begin to catch up with expenditures.
CUPS AND GAMES DIRECTOR: Barry
* Barry raised the matter of U-10s participating the in Tide American Cup. New USYSA guidance would encourage U-10s to seek format of "less competition". While Cup play seems counter to this guidance, SCYSA sanctions invitational tournaments for U-10 play. Further, U-10s are participating in invitational tournaments in increasing numbers. The BOD conceded that promoting competition among U-10s deviates from USYSA recommendations, but that including them offered another quality venue of play and offered a boost to sagging participation in the Tide American Cup.
Motion: Barry motioned that U-10s be added to the Tide American Cup. Bob seconded the motion and the motion passed five (5) for, four (4) against, with one abstention.
* In its inaugural season, the South Carolina State Challenge League had to be considered a huge success. The League played 1,020 matches, had referees for all but17, and had 32 matches rained out. The League also used 17 field coordinators, 6 ref assignors, 21 complexes, and 42 fields. Only 2 teams folded during the course of the season.
* There will be a U-14 Premier League in Spring. U-13s will not be included although they are being brought into Regional Play. Barry noted that like the older groups, the 14s must retain 60% of their players from their State Cup team, but the players don't have to be same club as when Cup Play was d one.
* Barry noted that SCYSA participants, the U-18 Girls & the U-17 Boys finished #1 in SE Region Premier League. Most teams competed well in the League; only one or two struggled.
* Discussion of Summer Leagues (non-registered) to compete with Super Y followed. Expect more to come on this topic as several soccer organizations are gearing up to offer off-season opportunities.
* There is a possibility of USYSA 3 new Premier Leagues. There is also open discussion about adding U-13s and accepting 16 instead of 12 teams.
* The BOD was reminded that the Chevrolet Classic Cup and Tide American Cup weekend was that of December 6th through 8th and the Snickers Challenge Cup weekend was December 12th through the 14th. Barry issued a call for volunteers, particularly the first weekend.
* It was announced that District Commissioners would establish referee fees for First Round State Cup in conjunction with their designated assignor. Commissioners will have to provide referee fee schedules as the teams registered for First Round.
* Barry emphasized his need to know who would be advancing to the Classic Cup immediately upon completion of First Round.
REGISTRAR: Absent. Excused
* Nancy offered that Roban was still assembling the final season registration numbers and that a number was forthcoming soon.
SECRETARY: Ronnie
* No report.
PIEDMONT DISTRICT: Absent, Excused
MID-STATE DISTRICT: Danny
* Noted that the last District meeting was well attended and that Chris Bragan has expressed interest in being nominated as Cups & Games.
COASTAL DISTRICT: Cathy
* No Report.
BOYS ODP: Dawn
* Dawn is encouraged by rising numbers of participants - number is plus 75 over last year with registrations still coming in.
* All age groups now have college coaches assigned to them. Coaches include:
86 Marty Beihl, Francis Marion
87 Rob Miller, Anderson College
88 Kam Momeni, College of Charleston
89 Brett Boulware, Presbyterian
90 Van Taylor (Lander)/ Ralph Lundy (College of Charleston)
Fred offered thanks to Dawn for good and promising start to Boys ODP year.
GIRLS ODP: Mary
* Make-up trials will be held 11/17 in Columbia, SC.
* Team trials will be in Camden the 1st week of January
* Southern Pines - Interstate games in NC. Two (2) age groups will travel to Georgia to participate in interstate games this as well.
* April 10th - 20th German Government-sponsored teams (13s & 14s) coming here to play
* October 10 - 20 Rhineland Pfalz (the equivalent of a US state association) will bring their 16 or 17 girls to play. Mary will begin working a budget for them and their matches
MEMBER-AT-LARGE: Bob
* Provided list of German Industries or Subsidized Industries. Bob suggested that SCYSA develop a form letter to these industries asking them to help defray costs for the German teams coming to US this year.
RULES AND COMPLIANCE: Absent, excused.
STATE YOUTH RECREATION DIRECTOR: Absent, excused.
* A new group in Rock Hill (city rec program) wants to become SCYSA affiliate. Youth Director working to make this happen.
* Simpsonville YMCA wants to come into SCYSA Foothills Soccer. There is some confusion about what SCYSA fees provide but Doug will continue to work this issue with them.
* An organization had inquired about using the state's referee training for their program. However, their program is USYSA-sanctioned and USSF will not allow referees to be trained for non-sanctioned play.
DIRECTOR OF COACHING DEVELOPMENT AND PLAYER EDUCATION: Van
* Provided handouts with information about USYSA 6 V 6 initiative. Summary follows in 'New Business'.
SCYSA ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Nancy
* No report.
MODIFICATION TO THE CONSTITUTION, RULES, AND BYLAWS:
* None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
* None.
NEW BUSINESS:
* BC/BS has offered substantial monies to US Youth Soccer for its "Healthy Competition Pledge". This ultimately benefits SCYSA as the USYSA sponsorships are passed down to the State Associations. To get any of the money, USYSA must have 100% participation. Fred has asked that "manual" distribution be affected immediately throughout the state (passed out by hand, sending the e-mail links, whatever) .
* Cathy brought up an issue with a Blue Crab United (BCU- Beaufort, SC) team and their wishes to attend the Got Milk? 3 V 3 National Tournament? The team had participated in, and won, the Got Milk? 3 V 3 regional event. However, the preliminary rounds (regionals) were not sanctioned by USYSA so teams were allowed to use non-registered players and did not require Permission to Travel Forms (PTFs) from their State Associations. However, Florida required that the finals be sanctioned, thus creating the need to register players and have PTFs to attend. The BCU team appealed to Cathy Ballentine as their District Commissioner to register players and file a PTF. Cathy was unsure about accommodating the request because of the team's participation in a non-sanctioned event initially. The BOD discussed the matter extensively.
Motion: Cathy motioned that SCYSA allow non-registered BCU players be registered to meet USYSA requirements. Upon meeting these requirements, a Permission to Travel will be issued so that BCU may attend the Got Milk? 3 v 3 National Tournament. Danny seconded. The motion passed 7-2 for (for the record, Fred is vehemently opposed to allowing players to play.)
* The BOD had been provided a complaint by Spartanburg Youth Soccer complaint regarding recruiting of players by WSSP. Upon review of the complaint, the BOD decided two options were available to them: (1) Establishment of firm ethics statement regarding recruiting that goes beyond the Association's current policy, and (2) Send the complaint back to the Piedmont District for resolution/consultation. The BOD decided to remand the investigation back to the District.
* Foothills Soccer (Jay Crane) had posed tournament questions regarding Greenville Rec & U-10 player passes. The BOD will answer questions to Mr. Crane with information currently in Association's possession. However, if he has a specific complaint about a process or another organization, he should file a formal complaint with the Piedmont District.
* At JIYSC Cup, sanctioned as rec tournament only, a classic team inadvertently participated in the cup and won their bracket. Upon discovery of the error, the team was allowed to keep their first-place trophies, however, the #2 team was also elevated to a championship standing and the #3 team was awarded the runner-up position .
* The BOD discussed most recent USYSA initiative to move further forward on small-sided play; 6 V 6 is being discussed as the approved format for U-10s through U-12s. The Board acknowledged the advantages of small-sided play for player development but raised questions about the logistics of it; more coaches, equipment, referees, etc. will be required. SCYSA will entertain discussions with border states to how they approach a revised format.
Motion: Steve motioned for adjournment. Mary seconded. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 3:18 p.m.
Approved 3/16/03