SkVYSA Eric Magnuson wasn’t able to attend but provided this report:

• Under District rules, we are in violation of having more than 3 teams in an age bracket (BU11) and more than 5 players playing up in an age bracket (GU11). Eric will attend the District one meeting on August 16th to raise our concerns about both of these rules.
• State league schedules are posted at www.wsysa.com.  The season has been reduced to a 10 game season.  We have concerns about the shortening of the season and will contact SkVYSA and the State.
• If you do not have player cards, please let Eric know right away and they will be printed.
• Coaching handbooks are being sent to each coach through the mail from WYS.  Everyone should have received theirs by now.  Please look over the code of conduct and rules.
• Eric is having trouble reconciling WSPL and LPT fees since some teams sent their checks directly to WSYSA.  He needs check numbers and amounts (preferably photocopies) for the following:  FC95 McBee check for their $500 league fee; FC94 Colvin-WDPL check for $500 and LPT check for $400; FC93 Warman WSPL check for additional $100 for league fee to go with check #1412$400 that was paid to LPT; FC93 Goode for $400 LPT check.
• In the future, all league fees and LPT fees should be paid via credit card online or by checks made out to SKVYSA.  DO NOT SEND A CHECK DIRECTLY TO WYS!

NWUnited Registrar Marlene

• State leagues are scheduled for 10 games instead of 14 games.  After October 18th, teams will take one week off.  Then, the bottom 4 teams will play one another the top 4 teams will play one another.  League play will end in early November.
• Game times can be scheduled from 9am to 5pm.  If a team travels more than 2 ½ hours, games can be played from noon to 3pm.  Any changes with times need to be settled (between both teams and local ref assignor) prior to 72 hours of game time.  Teams need to report scores within 72 hours or there will be a $15 fine from the State of Washington.

Chuck Lamay, County rep.

• District I schedules have been passed out at the tournament.  Contact Chuck if you haven’t received yours.
• If you received your schedule with a home game on 9-27-08, you will need to change to the match day to Sunday.  Skagit River Park is closed on the 27th for the pumpkin toss.
• If you need to reschedule a State level match, there is a required formal process. Please communicate with your referee assignor about proposed changes in any home match.
• LPT’s: WYS indicated they were very pleased with the facility and NWUnited support for the tournament. In 2009 all LPT’s will be held  in August.  Chuck is researching the possibility of hosting LPT’s in 2009.  Duane expressed concern about referee assigning burden.

Duane Henson:  Treasurer

• Balance in accounts $41,384.46
• Board approved hiring a part-time bookkeeper for club accounts.  Duane will get some quotes–possibly around $150 per month–prior to the next meeting.

Tracy Whisonant:  President

• Todd Stauber of PSSA intends to evaluate every team at the Labor Day Kick.
• Todd asks coaches for any special request on what he can evaluate to help those teams.

Bob Raymond:  Communications/Parent Liaison

• Recycling Program.  At LPT’s we collected 1,100 gallons of recyclables.  We will have more containers and a more efficient operation for the Labor Day Kick and we will add collection of food waste–which will be transferred to Skagit Soils for composting.
• Bob received a complaint from a parent regarding inappropriate language and profanity from a coach.  Please follow our policies on how to not use certain profanities.  Bob and the coaching committee (they didn’t actually know this) are researching coach stipends.
• He suggested that the coaching committee or another group begin an age-group and team-by-team analysis on group and team status, future, and required or useful support from the Club.  Also, the Coaching Committee could begin looking for new coaches, especially at the U11 level and U10–following up on Todd’s recommendation that we have a U10 development teams.
• While doing that research, he notes that other clubs are doing great things with fundraising, expanding their clubs, and making sure they have clear and effective policies that support that expansion, as well as broader involvement of volunteers.

Uniforms: Tracy spoke with Drew, Soccer City, who favors using Nike due to high service levels.  Nike will bring samples.  Nike would give our club 10% back in apparel and gear.  Tracy states Reebok held up well, but finding future apparel was challenging.  Adidas has issues with availabilyt and service. Duane suggested each team receive their share of the rebate directly.

GU12/13 Boys Development Team:  Team Manager and Treasurer (Shawnda Sherwood and Christina Preston) report that eight boys have quit.  Tracy understands the problem and is working with Todd on a solution.

Use of MVHS field during the winter months.  Duane has requested a volunteer to schedule in practice times for teams for fall/winter.

Bill Sparks. Duane has reported in sadness that Bill Sparks Jr. had a heart attack on the field refereeing a game.  Bill had surgery and is recovering well.  Board approved a gift of $200 as a show of support and appreciation for Bill and his family.

Please read this article on the ByteSize Soccer web site.  A great reminder of appropriate and inappropriate sideline behavior that will help make the game enjoyable for all.

Visit the new website for more information and to register for a session.

Here is a strengthening and stretching program to reduce ACL tears. It has had great results in controlled research trials. The program was highlighted in the August issue of Play-On. The risk of ACL tears is higher in girls than in boys. Take a look here.

Feel free to email or phone me (360-303-5121) to answer any of your questions. Thanks Much.

Drew Smiley
Soccer City

Monthly meetings are usually held on the fourth Monday but can be changed because of holidays.  Meetings are at Roundtable Pizza in Mount Vernon from 7pm to 9pm.