Board of Directors Minutes

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association

Board of Directors Minutes
8/12/02

Present: President Rick Tompkins; Secretary Kathy Helm; Bob McDade (District 3); Greg Lebo (District 5): John Kukitz (District 6); Joe Marsden (District 7); Jim Kuntz/Dave Edgecombe (District 8); Ron Mull (District 9); Tom Corey (District 14); Marty O’Donnell/Ron Taylor (District 15); Kim Difiore (District 17); Greg Wilson, Executive Director;

Absent: VP Frank Olszewski; VP Travel Tom Dougherty; VP Intramural Bill Blaise; Treasurer Ned Levi; Registrar Donna Outt; Cindy Field (SYRA); Districts 1, 2, 4, 10, 11, 13, 16

Call to order: President Rick Tompkins called the meeting to order at 7:05PM.

Minutes/Secretary - The minutes for the June, 2002 meeting were read. Motion by Tom Corey. Seconded by Jim Kuntz. Motion passed.

President’s Report:  Rick reported on the following

Outdoor Cup –

·               Crusa FC Bucks state cup championship was revoked due to 2 overage players. We have asked them for the $500 supplement that was given for expenses back.   There was a $3,000 fine levied on us by Region I but they have rescinded.  National may take action. FC Delco U15 was declared champions.  

ODP –

·          Our season is over and a wrap-up meeting with the girl’s side was held 7/28. They discussed a new format for the U13 age group.  They will be having regional sites for this age. There will be 4 areas for tryouts and training until final pool is selected in spring.  The areas will be Wilkes-Barre, Lanco, Phila/Montgomery, Downingtown/Chesco area.  The pool will be approx. 75-100 divided into the 4 areas for training in December, January, February, March taking place 2x each month.

·          This year we helped 16 players with financial aid, which totaled $5,300. 

·          We had 5 players from our 88’s attend National Camp on August 3-12 in Middlesex, CT.  The players were Ryan Soroka, Andy Parr, Bobby Warshaw, Marcus Barr, Eric Cava, Nick Sih. 

·          Julian Valentin and Chris Germani have been invited in to residency at Brandenton, FL. 

·          Program review questionnaire will be sent out on ODP asking for feedback. Program review is also on website and touchline.

Risk Management –

·        Bud Yohe has been arrested for a corruption of minor charge.  He has been removed and put in bad standing.  We are looking for a replacement.  We have had responses from two people and Rick will talk to them.

·        Motion to have Kim DiFiore do risk management until October was made by Marty  O’Donnell. Seconded by Dave Edgecombe.  Passed

·        Please tell clubs/leagues if they do not send an envelope they will not get their forms back.

5-year Plan

·        5-year planning steering committee met while in San Francisco at the USSF meeting which included Rick, Tom D, Charlotte, Frank and Greg. Tentative calendar was put together for 1st year of the 5-year plan.  The calendar will go back to the other committees for their review.  Greg will prepare the 5-year plan in 45 days.  Phase I will begin in October.  Phase II is already in the planning stages. Some items will be easier to implement quickly others will take some time.  For example the League Select Festival would be moved to the Fall.  It helps the leagues to pick their teams during the season that the players are playing.  This allows for more weekends to be available to cup play and also helps in the ODP process.

Liability Claim –

·        Bridesburg Cougars – Mary Frances Plouch was injured playing on an All Star team with older age players. Parents were not informed that she would be playing with older age group.

General –

·        USSF meeting was held 8/8-11 in San Francisco.  Regional meeting had two big issues which were Region 1 director’s league versus the Super Y league. The Region 1 director’s league is expanding.  They will have a premier level and a Division 1 level. It will take in approx 120 new teams.  Super Y league was granted ODP status for their finals and regional select weekend. They do not have any regional teams at this time. This impacts on the boy’s side more than girls at this time. The other issue was regional ODP.  The girls program ran smoother than the boys.

·        USSF meeting – Meeting went very quickly which is unusual.  Rick reviewed some of the by law changes that were presented and defeated or passed.  Bob Cottigulia was reelected President of USSF.

·          USYS meeting Dave Messersmith was reelected president.

·        Youth council meeting.  One of the more important rulings was the 303 Rule–composition of teams – The following was recommended:

o              U12 – 2 30 min halves – 11v11 with 8 strongly recommended

o              U11 – 9v9 with 8 strongly recommended  - This was defeated and amended to 11v11 with 8 strongly recommended.  This was passed.

o              U9/10 – 25 min halves – 7v7  with  6 strongly recommended

o              U8 – 5v5 with   4 strongly recommended

o              U 6 – 4v4  with 3 strongly recommended

o              The implementation date being September, 2002.  This was defeated and was amended to 2003.  This passed.

o              Region I was in agreement with U11 and 12.  All 55 states association Directors of Coaching were in agreement.  Also recommended no travel U10 and below.

o              State associations have the option to lower the playing size and roster size.

o              Recommendation are on the EPYSA web site

o              Tournament rule change – tournament play only U12 and up if game is tied after overtime FIFA penalty kicks apply to determine the winner.  U 10 and below tie stand.

·        The other issue is that at the USYS President’s meeting this Fall will be about finances.  They are collecting 50 cents from us and giving 29 cents back to us but they are worried about sponsorship in the future.

·        Resident Camp was a success with 250 campers at the 1st one and 275 campers at the 2nd.  The feedback from staff was positive.  

·        Chris Branscome was hired to the position of National Marketing Director for USYS.

·        EPYSA Workshop will be held on 3/8/02 at Valley Forge.  The AGM will be on 3/2/02 in Wilkes Barre.

Treasurer Report– Rick reported on the following:

  • Ned would like to create an investment committee.  Maybe this would be better to present at the AGM to the full membership.
  • Please check web sites, EPYSA, USYS, USSF, for grants.  There are many different types.  If you apply please inform the state office.  If you need help with application call the office.
  • US Soccer Foundation has partnered with Nike for field development.  They are having a 5-year initiative that will provide field turf, TGI signage, and lightning for  $425,000. It will be available early September details will be on the US Soccer Foundation website.

Registration: Rick reported the following:

  • Donna is on vacation but is working diligently on registration.
  • RG 1 list was handed out. Rick asked membership to makea decision on the late RG 1s.   Motion to place membership on list of 8/12/02 RG 1s in bad standings with a fine of $50 was made by Tom Corey. Seconded by Jim Kuntz Approved
  • Donna was proposing that the league registrars see a new birth certificate from a player when they change teams or club.  Rick asked Donna to due a survey with the league registrars and get their opinion on the best solution.  This could be a by law change.
  • Rick thanked Tom Dougherty and his registration committee on their fine job of researching for a registration program.  The registration proposal went out to 5 vendors and is due back to the committee by 8/20/02.   We would like to have an approval on a vendor before the October board meeting so we will probably have a special meeting or do it by conference call.

New Business:

  • Jim Bollinger was elected EPSA president.  He will resign as Inter-County president on 8/20/02.  Rick attended Jim’s 1st  EPSA meeting and feels that he is bringing new life into EPSA. The issue that Rick brought to the meeting was referee problems of detention, recruitment and quality.  Jim is in negotiations with the referees at this time over fees.  It will have a trickle down effect when it is finalized.
  • Dave Edgecombe asked about tech committee being formed for future evaluation of EPYSA needs.  Rick informed Dave we would look into forming a committee.
  • The state office is hiring another full-time person. 
  • The web site has been improved.  We are still tied to My Teams for another year.  Contact web master for changes or corrections.
  • The sleeveless jersey that has been prohibited by FIFA will be allowed in US but refs have been told to note on their report.
  • Those teams that need medical insurance the cost is $27.50 per year up from $25 last year.

Old Business:

  • IGSL has appealed the fine in connection with the league select festival. 
  • EPYSA manuals have been distributed if you would like to buy extra ones they are $15.

Districts Reports:

Districts absent: 1, 2, 4, 10, 11, 13, 16

1-   Rick reported for Sue that IGSL registration is taken place at this time.

3 – Bob was inquiring if there has been any movement on the Upper Dublin Loan.  He is having a meeting with all of his leagues on 8/20. 

4- Jim asked Rick to bring up if we could approve a 3v3 intramural tournament for Columbus Day weekend.  Motion to approve 3v3 tournament was made by Kim DiFiore. Seconded by Tom Corey  Approved.

5- Greg reported that Mike Barr presented small-sided games at their meeting.

6- John reported they have a new registrar, George Denger.  LVYSL has a new web site. They use two assignors for their league games.  Jeff Tipping has accepted a full-time position with NSCAA.  Allentown’s inner city program going very well.

7- no report

8- Jim reported that Ed Griffiths is new league assignor. 

9- no report

14- Tom reported on the Super 60 showcase held 8/3.  There were 43 college coaches in attendance with 67 girls participating. Tom thanked Charlotte for her help.

15-Marty introduced Ron Taylor as the new alternate district commissioner.  Marty asked for information on coaching course. 

17- no report

Meeting adjourned at 9:15pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Helm

Secretary