LWYSA Fall News
Volume 2, Issue 1 September 2009
Letter from the President New Fields at 60 Acres South
Andy Hill
LWYSA President
Under Construction
Final Permitting Approved and Work Begins
With the fall season underway, it’s is a good time to
Curt Bateman
remind everyone of some of the basics to keep soccer Director of Operations
safe and fun for our kids:
Leave the dog at home! No dogs are allowed We are well under way with the construction of nine
at any of the games or practices. This applies to new fields on 60 Acres South! Most of the heavy
Marymoor as well as Sixty Acres. We have this policy excavation will be completed in the next several days.
in place for health and safety reasons. Nobody wants Currently the contractor is completing the utility
their kids playing in what Fido leaves behind. connections, and will reopen the trail access in a few
Behave! Sideline behavior, from parents and days.
coaches, should be positive and model the behavior we We will be planting grass seed on roughly half the site
want our kids to emulate. early in the week, as well as starting the planting of the
Give the refs a break! We have a huge shrubs and trees that will stabilize the site and will
shortage of referees this year. Let’s give them support ultimately result in a facility we can be proud of.
rather than abuse. And be especially easy on the newly In the next few months, we will send out a call for
minted 14-year old ref that may not know how to deal volunteers, as we have thousands of plants that need
with a screaming adult. to be planted. This is a great opportunity to fulfill
Move the goals at Sixty Acres! If you are Community Service hours, as well as be a part of the
practicing at Sixty Acres, PLEASE move the goals out creation of what will be the largest and best soccer
of the goal mouth to preserve the fields. The new goals facility west of the Mississippi!
are light and easy to slide out of the way. We are on track to open the new fields late Spring, and
we will be hosting a couple of new events, such as US
Association Update Club Regionals and ECNL National Finals next
While we have seen encouraging signs that soccer still summer using the new fields.
is a priority for our members, with strong spring and fall
enrollment, we are still concerned about our uncertain
economy. As a result, we have pulled back on some
60 Acres South
continued on page 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 Letter from the President
1 60 Acres South Update
2 Nominations for LWYSA Board
3 Calendar of Events
3 Tips from LWYSA Director of Coaching
3 Reminders for the season
4 Youth Academy
4 Set an Example…..
5 Volunteerism at LWYSA/Crossfire
Page 1
continued from page 1
hiring and have adjusted our budgets to ensure we are 30 days of the AGM meeting to elect local club
taking a conservative approach during these difficult board members. The president of each club also
times. serves as a member of the LWYSA Board of
Financially, we continue to be debt free, no longer Directors representing their respective club.
require a line of credit for seasonal cash flow needs,
and have a strong balance sheet. This is due to the To prepare for the election at this year’s AGM,
hard work of board members and office staff over the LWYSA is seeking nominations for LWSYA
st
past three years. President and 1 Vice-President of Programs. If
Our facilities are in excellent shape. The fields on Sixty you know a strong candidate and would like to
Acres have never looked better and we continue to nominate that person please send the person’s
work with the Marymoor maintenance staff to make name, a short background, and contact information
those fields safe and in top shape. We have broken to the LWYSA nominating committee at
ground on 9 new grass fields at 60 Acres South, and Redmondpresident@lwysa.org.
hope to have them playable by next summer.
Participation is strong, with 6,700 kids playing on over The duties for the LWYSA President include:
500 teams.
LWYSA is seen as a model association across the Serve on, and preside over the meetings of,
state, noted for its well managed affairs and multiple the Board of Directors
programs that provide kids opportunities to play at the Serve on, and preside over the meetings of,
ability and level of commitment that best suits them. the Executive Committee
Our association does face challenges. We suffer from Serve on, or chair, any other Committee as
field shortages most of the year. Our referee pool the Board of Directors may consider
continues to dwindle, and we still struggle with some appropriate
unacceptable parent behavior. We continue to work on Oversee the work of each of the Vice
these issues, and will keep you informed on progress. Presidents and the Secretary/Treasurer
You can help by supporting our quest for new fields, Serve as the general operational manager
treat our referees with respect (and sign up to be one!) of the Association and, toward that end and
and cheer the kids on, letting them play the game and to the extent authorized by the Board of
have fun. Please take a look at the “Set an Directors, execute contracts on its behalf
Example…” article in this issue for ways to support our Represent the Association at the WSYSA
kids in a positive manner. Council
Overall, the association is in great shape. We have
Organize and preside over the Annual
strengths and we have challenges. But ultimately I see
General Meeting
us continuing to improve and tackling the challenges
Prepare and deliver a report on the status of
that we face. My confidence lies in the strength of our
the Association at each Annual General
dedicated office staff and hundreds upon hundreds
Meeting
volunteers that coach, manage teams, bring snacks on
game day and serve on the board and committees. st
The duties for the 1 Vice-President of Programs
Our thanks goes out to all of these people that
include:
collectively make LWYSA what it is today, and will
make it stronger tomorrow.
Perform the duties of the President in times
I welcome your comments and feedback at
of the President’s absence
president@lwysa.org.
Serve on, and provide regular reports to, the
Board of Directors
Nominations for LWYSA Board Serve on the Executive Committee
of Directors:
Coordinate and oversee the work of each of
.
the chairs of the Association’s Program
Groups
The LWYSA is governed by a board of directors that Serve on, or chair, any other Committee as
represent the general membership as well as the local the Board of Directors may consider
clubs. Each year as part of our Annual General Meeting appropriate from time to time
(AGM) we hold elections for two of the four director
positions that represent the general membership. This
st
year we will be holding elections for President and 1
Vice-President of Programs to serve a two year term.
The local clubs will hold separate club meetings within
Page 2
continued from page 1
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Reminders for the season…..
PRESIDENT’S CUP COACHES MEETING
For the safety of the players, jewelry
OCTOBER 5TH
REDMOND HIGH SCHOOL is not allowed.
7:00PM
Dogs are not allowed on any of the
fields we use with the exception of
CROSSFIRE FALL YOUTH ACADEMY
service animals. Please leave them
OCTOBER 9, 16, 23, 30, NOVEMBER 6, 13 & 20
at home, not in a vehicle.
HARTMAN PARK
6:15-7:45PM
According to LWYSA Recreational
policy playing time is to be a
LWYSA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
minimum of 50% of the time for
OCTOBER 21
U7-U11 and 33% for U12-U19 rec!
REDMOND JUNIOR HIGH
7:30PM Please remember to drive slowly and
carefully in the parking lots-safety of
LWYSA YEAR END TOURNAMENT
our players is paramount!
NOVEMBER
Be an example of great
sportsmanship
o Be positive
Coaches Corner
o Let the coach do the coaching
Steve Crum
LWYSA Director of Coaching
o Be respectful of the officials
Coaches, the fall season is off to a great start with lots
of beautiful weather and thousands of excited kids and o Be proud of your player
coaches.
Do what you can to insure games
Thanks for all your time and dedication, without you we
would have literally thousands of kids unable to play start and end on time so the entire
the game they love. day’s schedule is not affected.
Walking around and having a chance to observe a fair
HAVE FUN!!!
amount of teams practicing. I have a couple of
observations.
Remember, the more touches they get on the ball
We should always try to incorporate the ball into warm the better, and warm up is a good way to get
up sessions if you are fortunate enough to have a ball hundreds if not thousands of touches on the ball in
per kid, they can warm up by each dribbling in a a short amount of time.
confined area while you give them different tasks, i.e.
dribble only with the right, only the left, inside of the feet Lastly, please try to remember to stay out of the
only, etc. goal area during training when possible. The more
we can all stay out of the goal area the better the
If you don’t have a ball per kid, you can do a similar fields will be towards the end of the season.
exercise; have some kids without balls and on your
command to switch, they leave the ball they have and Thanks again for all you do for the kids, and
quickly move to another ball. remember, it should be fun for all involved in the
game!
Page 3
Fall Youth Academy
"Honor the Game." Honoring the Game gets to the
ROOTS of the matter and involves respect for the
Registration is now open for the Crossfire Premier Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates and one's
Fall 2009 Youth Academy which begins on October Self. You don't bend the rules to win. You understand
9th. The Youth Academy is intended for serious that a worthy opponent is a gift that forces you to play
players that would like to challenge themselves. The to your highest potential. You show respect for
curriculum is created by the Crossfire Premier officials even when you disagree. You refuse to do
Directors of Coaching will help each player develop anything that embarrasses your team. You live up to
the skills necessary to compete on a high level. your own standards even if others don't. Here are
Crossfire Premier coaches will lead each training ways that parents can create a positive youth sports
group. The Youth Academy consists of 7 (1.5 hour) culture so that children will have fun and learn positive
sessions on Friday nights, and should supplement the character traits that will last and benefit them for an
players current team’s training. To register, go to entire lifetime.
www.lwysa.org or www.crossfiresoccer.org and click
“register now” under Crossfire Premier Youth Before the Game:
Academy Fall 2009. 1. Make a commitment to Honor the Game in
action and language no matter what others
GIRLS AND BOYS ages 7 – 11 (players U8 – U12)
may do.
2. Tell your child before each game that you are
LOCATION: HARTMAN PARK, LOWER SOCCER FIELD
proud of him or her regardless of how well he
DATES: FRIDAYS OCTOBER 9, 16, 23, 30, NOVEMBER 6, 13 & 20 or she plays.
TIME: 6:15 PM TO 7:45 PM
During the Game:
COST: $210.00 (BALL AND T-SHIRT INCLUDED
1. Fill your children's "Emotional Tank" through
praise and positive recognition so they can
Set an Example… play their very best.
2. Don't give instructions to your child during the
Tina Aldridge game. Let the coach correct player mistakes.
LWYSA Board of Directors
Director of Coach Development 3. Cheer good plays by both teams (this is
advanced behavior!)
LWYSA is constantly striving to help promote the 4. Mention good calls by the official to other
game of soccer for all youth who play soccer in our parents.
affiliated area and to provide educational 5. If an official makes a "bad" call against your
opportunities for our players, coaches and parents. team? Honor the Game—BE SILENT!
We believe it is our responsibility to provide the best
6. If another parent on your team yells at an
environment for our youth to further develop as
official? Gently remind him or her to Honor
players and young adults in our community. As we
the Game.
venture out to find the best educational tools for our
membership we frequently come across programs we 7. Don't do anything in the heat of the moment
believe will promote our vision and mission. “To be that you will regret after the game. Ask
recognized by our membership and the soccer yourself, "Will this embarrass my child or the
community as a world class provider of soccer team?"
services.” 8. Remember to have fun! Enjoy the game.
Positive Coaching Alliance is a organization that After the Game:
offers educational tools for organizations affiliated 1. Thank the officials for doing a difficult job for
with youth sports, coaches and parents. Provided little or no pay.
below is just one example of information that will help 2. Thank the coaches for their commitment and
create a positive environment for our youth players at effort.
LWYSA
3. Don't give advice. Instead ask your child what
he or she thought about the game and then
Guidelines for Honoring the Game LISTEN. Listening fills Emotional Tanks.
4. Tell your child again that you are proud of him
The key to preventing adult misbehavior in youth
or her, whether the team won or lost.
sports is a youth sports culture in which all involved
Page 4
Volunteerism at organizations, but staff can’t absorb any extra load.
We do not want to add staff to fill the void, as that will
LWYSA/Crossfire necessitate a sizeable fee increase…. we can’t do it
without volunteers!
Curt Bateman
Director of Operations
As you will see elsewhere in this newsletter, we will be
I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about electing new Executive Board members soon, both at
that. Then I realized I was somebody. the Association level and the Club level. In addition,
--Lily Tomlin there are club board positions that desperately need to
be filled.
I would like to thank the hundreds of volunteers that it
takes to make LWYSA and Crossfire successful in I sincerely hope you will consider committing a portion
providing a quality soccer experience to nearly 7000 of your time to assure that we continue to provide the
youth. Our association is recognized statewide and level of service and quality that we are accustomed to.
even nationally as a model association. We are very Better yet, we would love to have resources to improve
efficient, financially stable, and have programs further, both at the program level and the facilities we
appropriate for all levels of youth players. enjoy. We believe that we are providing much more to
our youth than just a few soccer practices and games.
This success doesn’t just happen. It takes dedicated Between our staff and our volunteers, we are teaching
volunteers at many different levels. Many of you have them life skills such as leadership and teamwork that
stepped up to coach one or more teams. Sometimes it will benefit them their entire lives. It is a very
was not by choice, but rather necessity. As a naïve rewarding experience, and we welcome you to be part
new U7 parent many years ago, I made the fatal of it
mistake of saying “I’ll coach the team if no one else
will”. In hindsight, I see now that the coach recruiter Soon you will be receiving an email from your Club
was thinking “gotcha”! Not knowing much about President regarding your club structure and open
coaching soccer at the time, I recruited a top-notch high positions. If you are interested in a club position,
school player to be my “expert”, and had a successful please email your Club President. If you are interested
team. Had I not agreed to coach, I’m not certain what in serving at the Association level, please contact me
would have happened. Perhaps another coach would at curtb@lwysa.org .
have been found. There was also a possibility the team
would not have been formed. Thanks!
LWYSA had teams this year that could not be formed. One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of
It is our goal to never turn away a player, but I’m sad to house you lived in... what kind of car you drove... what your
say we had to turn away players this season. What is bank balance was... but what will matter is that you were
even sadder is the fact that the teams were not formed important in the life of a child.
because we couldn’t find anyone willing to step up to
coach the team. -- Adapted from a quote by Forest Witcraft
Behind the scenes, there are other layers of volunteers
that are rarely seen, and probably most of members are
not familiar with. These are the Field Coordinators, the
Photo Coordinator, the Club boards, the Program
Directors, the various committees and the Board of
Directors to name a few. Many of the positions have
been filled by the same people for many years. That’s
great from a standpoint of knowledge and continuity!
Our major challenge now is the fact that in many cases,
these volunteer’s kids are graduating and leaving for
college. For the most part, no one has stepped up to
take their place.
You may be asking yourself, how does this affect me?
The worse case would be that we would see a drop in
the level of service provided. We have one of the most
knowledgeable and efficient staffs of any youth sports
Fall 2008 Rec Newsletter 5