NCSL Board Meeting

May 4, 2015

Westin Hotel

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m.

1.  Roll Call

Roll call indicated that the following clubs were not in attendance: Annandale (ABGC); Baltimore Bays; Bethesda Soccer Club; Chantilly Youth SC; Columbia SC; Culpepper Soccer Assoc.; Damascus Soccer Club; Freedom Soccer Club; Fairfax Police Youth Club; Future Soccer Club; Olney Soccer Club; Potomac Soccer Club; Premier Athletic Club; Reston Soccer Club; Severna Park; and Southwestern Youth Assoc.

A motion was made to approve the minutes of the March 19, 2015 meeting.  Lisa Wilson noted that she had resigned her position from VYSA, but not as NCSL Registrar.  Motion approved.

2. Reports

VA Registrar – Lisa Wilson.  VYSA Club Fee for player passes increasing by $1 to $14.  It was noted that all clubs received notice of the increase previously.

R&D – Alan Paez.   We encourage feedback on referees online, which is available for VA/MD/DC region.  (www.reffeedback.com)  The data in the system is compiled by season, not week by week.  Always bring referee problems to R&D’s attention.  Complaints this season have included parents out of line; and there was a reminder to Club Reps that coaches are on the hook for not controlling parents/spectators, as outlined in the NCSL Code of Conduct.  Sit-out forms are online, and Clubs should use the form on the NCSL website; a photo of the blue card is not good enough.

Administrator – Kathleen Sessions.  Fall 2015 Game materials will be distributed at end of this meeting. Please follow instructions carefully.  The schedule for fields is still tight, but NCSL should be able to open up May 30-31, and June 6 dates for field scheduling shortly.

President – Richard Smith.  Please use the online referee feedback, it is important to collect data and give feedback to assigners and programs that certify referees. The program takes feedback for both NCLS and WAGS.  The Flex Schedule is not available on dates that are rainouts.  When dates become available, the Administrator will let clubs know.

3. New Club Applications

Broadneck SC.  Alex Torres gave a presentation on behalf of the Club, including background, availability of fields, and coaches.  Member clubs asked questions, including which clubs support the application, potential for growth, and need for admission to NCSL to attract talent.  After the Club representatives left, NCSL members discussed the application.  Howard Kohn, EC MD Club Rep, presented the views of the Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee did not recommend approving application, at this time, based on concerns about competitiveness, and lack of professional coaches/licensing. Various Club reps spoke in favor of supporting admission, including ability of NCSL to be a leader in the community in helping player development and less need for professional coaching at younger age levels.

Motion to admit Broadneck to NCSL was made and duly seconded.  Motion approved by majority of NCSL members.                                                                                                                                              

Fredericksburg Soccer Club Inc. - FCSA Phoenix.  Marcello Manzano gave presentation on behalf of the Club, including availability of fields, in-house referee assignors, and progress made since Club last applied to NCSL 2 years ago.  FSCI also noted the availability of indoor training facilities, and support of local Clubs Fauquier and Stafford.  Howard Kohn, EC MD Club Rep, presented the views of the Executive Committee, and represented that the Executive Committee recommended admission of FSCI to NCSL.     

Motion to admit FSCI to NCSL was made and duly seconded.  Motion approved by majority of NCSL members.

Dynamite FC.  A presentation on behalf of the Club was made, discussing geographical boundaries of team, number of teams available to join NCSL in U9-13 age group, and competitiveness, including one team currently playing in State Cup.  The Club representative emphasized focus on economically-challenged communities, with emphasis on keeping Club fees and costs down, and in-house referee certification program.  The Club representative discussed the challenges of locating available fields, including at Bull Run, Knocksville, and Sugarland, with the possibility of renting private fields also on the table.  Club Members asked questions about fields, and the administrative and financial structure of the club.  After the Club Representatives left the room, Richard Smith, President, presented reasons why the Executive Committee recommended against admission of the Club at this time, including that the Club was getting enough challenge at ODSL level and there were questions about its proven record and availability of home fields, although the Committee was impressed with the emphasis on low-income communities and referee classes. 

Motion to admit Dynamite FC to NCSL was made and duly seconded. Motion failed with a majority of clubs voting against the Motion.

Motion to adjourn.  Motion passes.  Meeting adjourned at 8:56 pm.