BETHEL PARK SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Parents/Coaches Meeting – February 12, 2002

Terry Bove, President of the Bethel Park Soccer Association (BPSA), called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Bethel Park Municipal Building. Also present were Mark Bowman, Steve Butterworth, Roberta Gribowicz, Bill Harvey, Mike Hurley, Kurt Lesker, Jack Kun, Rick Paglia, Dave Porco, Brett Russell, Stan Sbei, Craig Spence, Russ Spicuzza, Scott Talbott, Theresa Vescovi and Eric Young.

Secretary’s Report: The January meeting minutes were approved with several minor changes.

Treasurer’s Report: Jack Kun reported a checking account balance of $18,860.52. The budget so far is on course for the year.

President’s Report: Terry Bove reported information from the last Presidents’ meeting. All coaches were encouraged to keep an eye on spectators to ensure that no one is losing control or behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner. Avoid confrontations with agitated spectators. Terry also encouraged all coaches to make certain all goals are securely anchored and that all nets, etcetera are in working order.

Guest Speaker: Heather Mathianas, the marketing coordinator for COBWEB (BPSA’s website sponsor), spoke at the meeting concerning a payback opportunity, which could raise funds for the Association. If a new member (referred by the Association) subscribes to one of COBWEB’s Internet access packages, COBWEB would pay the Association$3.00 per month per subscriber. There is no startup cost and there are no hidden fees. More information concerning this program will be forthcoming. A subsequent discussion was held concerning BPSA’s relationship with COBWEB.

PR/Fundraising: Russ Spicuzza advised that he sold a few soccer balls at registration. Russ encouraged coaches to call him if they have any pictures or tournament information that they would like published in the Almanac. Russ has the appropriate telephone numbers and contacts to get your players’ faces in the newspaper!

Equipment: Eric Young advised that all t-shirts and uniforms are ready to go for spring. Travel teams will be issued new socks. Eric will call the coaches to let them know when to pick them up. Following a discussion on corner flags, a motion was made and passed to purchase a 4^th set of corner flags. Eric also reported that the best prices for goals were obtained from MLS at a cost of $560.00 per goal.

Web Site: Eric Young advised that the website counter will not be in place until March. Also, all travel coaches are encouraged to utilize the website to post information, player rosters, tournament and practice information, etcetera. It is very easy and can help to ease administrative duties of coaches. Call Eric for directions and suggestions on how to use the website to your advantage.

Registration: Mark Bowman reported that February 28^th is the cutoff date for Flight registration. Mark sent out an urgent message to all travel coaches to get to him all fall stickered rosters, whether they are changing in the spring or not! Please return all non-returning players’ cards to be voided. Also, please call him immediately to find out which players on your teams still have not registered with the Recreation Department to play spring travel. Mark also stated the importance of having all Division II teams represented at the South District organizational meeting at California University of Pa. On February 24^th at 2:00 p.m., and the Girls Division A meeting on February 18^th at 7:00 in the Gold Room of the Allegheny County Courthouse. Division I mail registration deadline is February 23^rd. The registration form can be found online at the PA West website.

February 23: Deadline for Division I mail-in registration. Forms can be found online at PAWest-soccer.org.

February 24: South District Organizational Meeting, 2:00 p.m. at California University of Pennsylvania. All Division II teams must have a representative present at this meeting.

March 17: PA West Annual General Meeting and Workshop at California University. All coaches (Travel and Flight) are encouraged to attend. See the PA West web site for details and registration for the workshop.

Tournaments: The Bethel Park Bombers (U14G) participated in the Norwin FAST Tournament at Penn State-New Kensington on January 20. After the preliminary round they finished first in their bracket. They were seeded third overall in a field of 15 teams but lost in the semifinal match. In the consolation game for third place, the Bombers played Norwin to a tie at the end of regulation play, finally settling for fourth place. Team members included Katelyn Bonn, Sara Davin, Cailtyn Hurley, Kristin Kelly, Stephanie Sbei, Jennie Williams and Lauren Woodring.

Shoot to Score Tournaments: February 17, March 10 and March 17, 4 v. 4 no keepers, for U8, U10 and U12 boys and girls at Pitt’s Cost Center. Call 412-648-8217.

Coach/Player Development: Mike Hurley announced that Bethel Park will be hosting a Y-license course on March 9 and 10 from 2:30 to 5:30. Everyone is welcome to attend. All coaches from flights one and two are highly encouraged to attend. If anyone has a question concerning the clinic, please call Mike at (412) 854-4149. There will also be an MLS coaching clinic on March 16 at the high school from 2:30 to 4:30. All coaches are encouraged to attend. Mike announced that the high school team is attempting to conduct a clinic with the recreation league. More information will follow.

Brett Russell, our MLS representative, advised that the MLS camp will be held the week of July 29^th. Information will be forthcoming. Brett also proposed a plan to use MLS coaches to coach the U-10 travel leagues. The MLS coaches would have full responsibility for at least one practice per week and would work with the parent coaches to enhance coach development. The MLS coach would also attend two games per season to help analyze player development. The MLS coach would write up a player analysis of strengths and weaknesses and give suggestions for improvement. This program would ONLY be for the U-10 boys and girls travel teams. Much discussion was held concerning cost and budgeting concerns. Motion was made and passed to authorize $2,200.00 for the MLS U-10 program for the spring session. MLS will draft a letter to the parents of players, describing the

program in detail. Coaches will be responsible for requesting $20.00 per player to offset the cost of this program. Six voted for, one opposed and Eric Young and Stan Sbei abstained from this vote.

A motion was also made and passed to continue the MLS association with the flight program.

Fields: Brian Wassel advised that new netting will be going up this spring at Millenium. This is a must for our older players. The new lights are up and ready to go at Park Avenue. They will be ready for spring practices. Discussion was held on the use of fields by other sports teams in Bethel Park. Decision was made to attend the Coalition meeting to express the Association’s concerns regarding field use and care.

Referees: Steve Butterworth has offered to help with coordinating referees. He will oversee the referee training programs and referee reviews. Discussion was held on referee certification. Mark Bowman advised that Bethany Bowman would continue her role as referee assigner. Bethany must attend classes to become a certified referee assigner by December. (This is a national rule.)

Flights: Discussion held on flight sizes and field availability. Motion made and passed to purchase two full size goals and move flight four to Millenium. Vote: 8 for, 2 opposed.

Flight 1 Commissioner, Craig Spence, spoke at the meeting concerning our youngest flight’s issues. Coaches of this league need more support and training than any other flight. Craig will once again urge his coaches to utilize the MLS coaches during the practice times. Also, the request was made for more age-appropriate MLS coaching manuals. Bill Harvey has agreed to work with Craig to get as many coaches as possible to the MLS coaching clinic on March 16^th. Bill and Craig will work together to address Flight 1 coaching concerns.

Monthly Meetings: Regular monthly meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month in the Bethel Park Municipal Building. Meetings start at 8:00 p.m. during the fall and spring seasons and 7:00 p.m. otherwise. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE MEETINGS. YOUR VOICE AND IDEAS ARE IMPORTANT TO THIS PROGRAM. The date and place for the next meeting is Tuesday, March 12, 2002 at 8 p.m. in the Council Caucus Room (behind Council Chambers).