Winchester Soccer Club Monthly Meeting
Wednesday May 4, 2011
Charlie Stackhouse, Jackie Hennessey, Chris Cipro, Todd Shegog, Art Staffiere, Katie Bosco, Alex Blumsack, Roseanne Sauer, Steve Sharp, Chris Scanlon, Kip Garlow, Robb Kneebone, Paul Austin, Jamel Boukari, Ben Paul, Ed Bush
Start of Meeting: 7:40
Sachems: Tryout schedule for Sachems FC has been posted on website and will take place the first 3 weeks of June starting with the U10. An email blast will also go out to the membership as a further reminder. A free clinic will be held on Friday May 20th from 6-8 pm at Knowlton Stadium and will feature small sided games and skill sessions. The clinic is open to anyone interested. Current Sachems coaches will be evaluated at the end of the season and will be present at tryouts.
A motion was put forth “to approve the minutes from the April 2011 meeting”. The motion was unanimously approved.
Girls Commissioner: President Cup registration is in full swing. This is a BAYS tournament and beings May 15th. Art wants to remind all coaches to report weekly scores and to try to get makeups in ASAP. Dan Daglio wanted to remind both Art and Michael that week #5 is fast approaching if any teams feel they need to be realigned.
Sandlot: Alex reminded the board that the DPW needs to be contacted regarding a wooden post at Mullen that poses a hazard to the players. Jay Gill will be contacted. Mullen field is also posing hazards due to the field condition itself. Alex points out there are many large dips on the field on the nearside to the parking lot. This will also be brought to Gill’s attention.
Equipment: Charlie wanted to thank both Todd and Rob with all of their hardwork preseason getting the goals and nets in playing shape. Also the broken goals are gone from both Skillings and Lynch. A reminder that the goals on VO need to be cleared off the fields after Saturday’s games. Corner flags have been damaged and Todd will look to replenish the supply on all the fields.
Referree: Ed has received some complaints regarding the 6v6 referees. Coaches feel that the quality of these refs has been a problem. The Board suggested that we remind coaches that the refs at this level are new and would ask the coaches to show patience and work with the refs. Chris pointed out that there are 40 new refs this year and with continued games, they will only get better. That number is almost double what we have had in the past. A blast reminder to coaches will go out regarding the tolerance of the referees.
Registration: Fall registration will open June 1 and run thru June 15th. Fees will remain at $75 early bird before June 15 and then increase to $90 after that date. Emphasis will be placed on the fact that if any child registers after the deadline, every effort will be made to place the child on a team depending on numbers. There has been issues with late registrants causing problems with team sizes, therefore decreasing playing time for all others.
Mentoring: The current mentoring program is up and running. However some teams have not been participating and a message will be sent to AGCs and Coaches reminding all teams to participate. In an effort to continuallyu evaluate our training and development in this area, Alex has invited SoccerPlus to come and present to the board on Thursday May 26th from 7-9 at Town Hall.
Fields: Coaches are not using the website to reschedule games. Personal emails are not acceptable and coaches need to be remind to go through the proper channels for this. It is felt that more emphasis needs to be paid by the AGCs to train the coaches better about the rescheduling system.
Manchester grass is now open for use but is not in great condition. Charlie wanted to emphasize that the WSC continues to struggle with the necessary field space that is needed for the program. Michael Creane has told us that Lynch Rear is not being used as much and that the WSC could line the field (not in white) and use it when needed as long as baseball was not there. Paul Austin is going to take care of that and Jamel will use for rescheduled games if necessary.
A get together for all WSC and Sachems FC coaches will take place on Friday May 13th at 8:00 at Tanner Tavern. The Board wanted to show their appreciation for the time and effort that theses coaches give. An evite will be sent out shortly.
Charlie would like to form a committee to address the continuing problems with fields and how the WSC can contribute to the cause. WSC typically sets aside 10% of its revenues to assist in field repairs in maintenance but it is currently unclear as to where the monies should be allocated. Charlie would like to see the WSC approach a town selectman to see if they could assist in our efforts to improving fields in town. It was suggested that the WSC “adopt” a specific field and concentrate its efforts to improve that field for WSC use. Chris Scanlon felt it would be a waste of the WSC’s money to repair any of the grass fields in town due to the high usage that occurs. He feels we should concentrate on getting additional turf fields in town. Steve suggested it our best opportunity to put our resources into turfing Manchester in return for specific WSC use.
Cross St: A revised P&S was due 2 weeks ago from the owners but WSC has not seen it yet. While progress has been made, it seems to be a constant battle with the attorney of the seller to get the information needed on a timely basis. As soon as Charlie gets any more info he will address the board and see if it is worth moving forward with the Cross St project.
On-Line Store: Denise Miller presented the WSC Board with the new on-line store. The store is ready to go live immediately and will feature approximately 8 different products. Denise will be handling all product/payments herself. Denise suggested we have the merchandise available at the Town Day boot.
Paul Austin will be the new Arlington Girls Varsity High School Coach. The WSC Board wishes Paul all the best on his new endeavor.
A motion was put forth “to approve a donation of $1,000 to the WFDC” The motion was unanimously approved.
Town Day: WSC will have a booth at Town Day with flyers promoting both WSC and Sachems programs. Tryout information will also be available and Ben is working on securing a “Kick Tunnel” with a radar gun. Denise Miller will also have her merchandise on sale there as well.
Chris Scanlon wanted to thank the following WHS Varsity High School Soccer Players for helping him with working with youth teams in town: Elissa Foley, Emily Smith, Kerry Suvak and Katherine Zavez.
U9 Travel: 2 years ago the decision was made to begin U9 travel in the spring which was earlier than before. Since then the top teams seem to do ok but the bottom teams have been struggling. Bottom teams have been beaten pretty badly with very high goal differentials. A lengthy discussion enued as to the benefits or damage this is doing to the teams. It appears that at the lower level, girls have become discouraged with few returning to play the next season. Chris Cipro was approached by a Lexington coach who asked if Winchester had any interest in doing an informal game schedule with local towns. This could be used as a transitional year for the U9 to better prepare them for travel. It was also suggested that 2 teams be sent to travel and leave the rest of teams to try the informal sessions. Alex and Katie will look into these options.
End of Meeting: 9:34
Next Meeting: Wednesday June 1, 2011 Town Hall Mystic Valley Room