NCSL Board Meeting

November 15, 2021

Via Zoom

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.

I.          Roll Call

The following clubs were in attendance at the meeting: Alliance Soccer Club, Annandale Boys & Girls Club, Arlington Youth Soccer Club, Bethesda Soccer Club, Braddock Road Youth Club, Burke Athletic Club, Calvert Soccer Association, Calverton Soccer Club, DC Soccer Club, DORADUS, Epic Soccer Club, Fairfax Police Youth Club, FC Charles, FC Dulles, FC Frederick, Fredericksburg FC, Fredericksburg Soccer Club, Great Falls – Reston, Gunston Soccer Club, Hagerstown Soccer Club, Herndon Youth Soccer Association, La Plata Soccer Academy, Laurel Soccer Club, Lee-Mt. Vernon Sports Club, Leesburg Football Club, Loudoun Soccer Club, Maryland Rush, Maryland Rush Montgomery, McLean Youth, Montgomery Soccer, Northern Piedmont SC, Northern Virginia Soccer Club, OBGC (Olney), Old Dominion Football Club, Potomac Soccer Association, Premier Athletic Club, Prince William Soccer, Inc., Real World Futbal Club, Severna Park Athletic Club, Shenandoah FC Elite, South County Athletic Association, Springfield South County Youth Club, St. Mary's Soccer, Stafford Soccer Club, Sterling Youth Soccer Association, Takoma Park Soccer Club, Team America Football Club, Vienna Youth Soccer, Villarreal Virginia Academy, Virginia Revolution, Virginia Soccer Association, Virginia Valor, VISTA, Woodbridge Soccer Club

Roll call indicated that the following clubs were not in attendance: A3, Alexandria Soccer Association, Blue Ridge United, FCVA Ashburn, Front Royal Soccer Association, Player Progression Academy, Thunder Soccer Club, West Virginia Futbal Club

Executive Committee in Attendance: Maureen Dalbec, Howard Kohn, Carol Montoya, Eric Popiel, Dave Shannon, Doug Walls

Staff in attendance: Ryan Rich, Alison Smith

Guests in attendance: Tom Walsh, Pat Delaney

Approval of Minutes

Olney made a motion to approve the August 30, 2021 Board Meeting minutes. Takoma Park seconded. There were no objections, and the motion was approved by acclamation.

New Business

New Club Application: Brookland FC

Howard Kohn introduced Tom Walsh, the representative for a new club applicant, Brookland DC. Tom is the Executive Director of the club. He gave an overview of the club, which was founded in July 2020, and described its programs. They have seven teams to bring into the league.

Tom responded to questions posed, including fields that would be used, how Brookland fits in with the other DC clubs, the makeup of the club’s staff, and the readiness of the teams for travel. He noted that the club is applying for nonprofit status. The club has a strong rec program for younger players, up to 10 years of age.

Tom left the meeting. Discussed ensued.

OBGC made a motion to admit Brookland FC as a new club. VISTA seconded. A poll was conducted via Zoom. A majority were in favor. The option for a roll call vote was given; no one requested a roll call vote. The motion passed.

Guest Speaker: Pat Delaney, Chairman, Metro DC-Virginia State Referee Program

Ryan introduced Pat. Pat explained the composition of the referee advisory board. He reviewed the change of nomenclature for referee grades, and the impact of that on training and referee retention. He also explained the recent change to registration systems. He said that leagues can help by offering training programs. Pat said that retention is also an issue. The organization is exploring a mentor program to assist with retention.

Pat said the US Soccer no longer used the terms Instructor or Assessor. The two functions are now combined into either Mentor or Coach titles. The state is maintaining a Director of Instructors and Director of Assessors.

In response to a question, Pat explained how clubs can set up training sessions. The Director of Instructors in each region can assist. If anyone is interested in hosting a course, the association will make it happen. The association is using social media to generate interest. He said there are opportunities for young referees to interact with experienced referees, which helps generate enthusiasm amongst the youth. The World Cup often leads to increased interest in refereeing.

Pat noted that it is difficult to cover all of the soccer games being held, considering all the leagues, recreational games, etc.

Pat suggested holding workshops for parents to acquaint them with the Laws of the Game.

Certification courses can be also be scheduled through the other state associations (Maryland and West Virginia).

Pat noted that US Soccer extended anyone who was certified for 2020 through 2021.

Ryan Rich – NCSL Executive Director: The College Combine is scheduled for November 28. Registration for the winter futsal league, to be held at the St. James, will close on November 21.

Carol Coulter – Virginia Registrar: No report.

Maryland Registrar - Jessica Hafer: No report (not present).

Maureen Dalbec – NCSL Commissioner: No report.

Doug Walls – NCSL Commissioner: No report.

Carol Montoya – Secretary: No report.

Alison Smith – NCSL Administrator: Alison thanked everyone for a great fall season. She reminded the club reps that no division awards are being made. Teams did not seem to be interested and it was a significant expense. If anyone hears of teams that are upset about this, let Alison know and she will provide them with some awards that are still in stock.

Applications for the spring season are open and are due by January 24. The application for returning teams should be fairly easy to submit. If a coach has more than one team, both teams must include the number of the other team in order to deconflict the schedules.

Alison asked club reps to look ahead to the spring break weekend and expect that teams will be submitting requests for reschedules.

ESS is open to any teams that have players focused on high school games. CCL teams can also apply in order to get more games in the spring.

In response to a question, Alison and Ryan said it was unlikely we will return to using the blue game cards.

Eric Popiel – Vice President & Treasurer: No report.

Alan Paez via Alison Smith – NCSL R&D: Alan asked club reps to remind their teams to submit any missing sit out forms for the fall season. The sit outs owed listed will the circulated in advance of the spring season.

A motion was made by Olney and seconded by LMVSC to adjourn. There were no objections, and the motion was approved by acclamation.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.