BETHEL PARK SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Parents/Coaches Meeting – March 12, 2002

Terry Bove, President of the Bethel Park Soccer Association (BPSA), called the meeting to order at 8:05 P.M. in the Council Caucus Room of the Bethel Park Municipal Building. Also present were Mark Bowman, Bill Harvey, Mike Hurley, Kurt Lesker, Jack Kun, Dave Porco, Russ Spicuzza, Scott Talbott, Theresa Vescovi, Brian Wassel and Eric Young.

Secretary’s Report: The February meeting minutes were approved. Decision made to send out the minutes to Board members via email. If the secretary does not receive any changes within 48 hours, the minutes will be considered approved and will be sent to the web site.

Treasurer’s Report: Jack Kun reported a checking account balance of $18,755.77. Funds from spring registration are still not available from the Recreation Department.

President’s Report: Terry Bove advised that the PA West Workshop is this Sunday, March 17^th. Schedule of events can be found on the PA West website. The start date for spring Flights is Saturday, April 6^th. Travel games begin on Sunday, April 7^th. Soccer Appreciation Weekend is May 11^th and 12^th. All coaches should encourage their players and parents to applaud good effort.

PR/Fundraising: Russ and Eric will meet with COBWEB regarding selling advertising space on our website.

Equipment: The equipment for the spring session came in under budget at approximately $2,700.00. This amount includes all shirts for flights, travel team socks, polo shirts for coaches, and other miscellaneous equipment purchases. The goals will be purchased and ready for spring flights at Millennium.

Web Site: Eric Young acknowledged the fact that the website had been down for a few days this month. The website is ready for spring travel coaches to place their schedule online. Please call Eric if you are unsure about how to use the website to your best advantage. A discussion was also held on how to publicize the information on the website. Suggestions made were to make signs at the Flight fields, provide handouts to the coaches and encouraging travel coaches to place more game information on the website.

Registration: Terry passed out current spring registration totals. Mark Bowman advised of the status of travel rosters. All teams are filled at this time. Mark is still awaiting a final registration list from the Recreation Department. He needs these lists to give to the coaches. Mark also advised that all teams are registered for travel play. Mark read the list of coaches who still need to get information on their travel players to him ASAP. He will take this information to the Registrar on Monday, March 18^th.

Coach/Player Development: Mike Hurley advised of a low attendance at the Y-license course held on March 9^th and 10^th. Discussion held on the use of the MLS coaches during Flights. The MLS coach will be used primarily for Flights I and II. They will be available for six hours per Saturday for six weeks during Flight season. MLS is unavailable for the first and last Flight games. The Board denied MLS’ request for a down-payment on the summer MLS clinics. A discussion was held concerning having the high school soccer team provide clinics to younger players. More information will follow.

Fields: Brian Wassel advised that the Neil Armstrong and Park Avenue nets are up. Millennium and Ben Franklin nets should be up next week. The fence is going up at Millennium behind the goals. It was reported that Village Green has several deep holes and divots due to the field being currently used by other sporting teams. The Borough has assured the BPSA that the field will be safe and playable for Flights.

Discussion was held concerning Action Grants to further field development. Matching funds are necessary for these types of grants. Discussion was held on attempting to raise money to apply for these grants.

Flights: Discussion was held on flight organization and time schedule. The following schedule will apply:

If any former Flight coaches have a copy of any MLS manuals, please call Mike Hurley at 412-854-4149 or give them to any Board member. These manuals are needed for incoming coach development.

Proposals: Scott Talbott made the following proposals for review and discussion:

1. A committee should be formed to look at proposed PA West rules in order to be more proactive and be more involved in the voting process.

2. Funds for field maintenance should be built into the BPSA budget. Joint sharing of costs is being explored by the borough council and the school district.

3. A mentor program between the high school teams and either the Flights or the younger travel teams would greatly benefit both groups of players. High school students could earn community service hours. This could help to establish a true soccer tradition here in Bethel Park. A committee was formed to help develop guidelines and brainstorm goals for the program.

4. A U-11 tournament was proposed to take place at the high school gyms in the second weekend of November. Scott has agreed to be the tournament director. Rick Paglia would also be interested in helping to organize this tournament.

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, April 9, 2002 at 8 p.m. in the Council Caucus Room (behind Council Chambers).