BETHEL PARK SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Parents/Coaches Meeting – April 9, 2002

Terry Bove, President of the Bethel Park Soccer Association (BPSA), called the meeting to order at 8:00 P.M. in the Council Caucus Room of the Bethel Park Municipal Building. Also present were Mark Bowman, Rich Chongaway, Bill Harvey, Kurt Lesker, Jack Kun, Rick Paglia, Dave Porco, Stan Sbei, Russ Spicuzza, Scott Talbott, Theresa Vescovi, Brian Wassel and Eric Young.

Secretary’s Report: The March meeting minutes were officially approved. Discussion held on the difficulties of getting the minutes online in a timely manner. Speculation as to whether the minutes should be once again mailed to our members. Decision made to use the April minutes as a test month to see how timely the minutes get on the site. Bill Harvey suggested a newsletter be mailed to our members approximately two to three weeks before the start of each season to let families know of upcoming events.

Treasurer’s Report: Jack Kun did not have an exact current balance at the time of this meeting. He approximated that the budget stands at $5,000.00 less than last month’s reported $18,755.77. All equipment has been paid for including all flight shirts, the new double-sided goals and the corner flags. Jack advised that he is currently working on next year’s budget. With that budget in mind, Jack stated he would like to see a change in the budget and fee structures to allow for a rotating system of new uniforms and to allow for programs that have matching grant monies. Decision held to hold a budget meeting for the larger-budget committee chairpeople, as well as the president. This group will present their findings at the May meeting and will make proposals to be voted on at the May meeting.

President’s Report: Soccer Appreciation Weekend is the weekend of May 11 and 12. PA West is offering free Street Soccer clinics every Saturday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. If interested, please go to the PAWest.org for the field locations. Terry gave out lists of referees and their phone numbers, as well as a list of the travel coaches and their phone numbers. Anyone wishing a copy of these can call Terry.

Equipment: Eric Young advised that all Flight uniforms were given out. New corner flags and goals for Flight 4 were put in place. Eric has medical kits for all Flight commissioners and travel coaches. Please call Eric if you need one. At the request of a Board member, Eric advised that a new travel jersey costs about $30.00. The opinion of the entire Board is that the uniforms for the travel teams are sub-par. It is the opinion of the Board that there should be a constant rotation of two teams per year receiving new uniforms and goalie jerseys. Decision was made to revisit this issue once the budget has been analyzed for next year. Eric made a proposal that the BPSA buy a trophy case to be placed in the Community Center. Trophies from tournaments and pictures of teams could be placed in the case. Decision made to table the subject until further study of the budget. Motion was approved to allocate the traditional $3,000.00 for Flight trophies.

Web Site: Discussion was held on the lack of use of the website by some of the travel coaches. Eric stressed how easy it is to place game and practice information on the website. Please call Eric if you need the new password.

Registration: Mark Bowman advised that all rosters are set and final. The final date for adds and deletes for travel teams is before the second game. Mark registered 236 players in the travel program. Mark sent his lists of rostered travel players to the Rec. Dept. They will cross-reference to make sure that all travel players have paid the appropriate fee.

Coach/Player Development: Rich Chongaway asked the Board what needed to be done to secure some new soccer training videotapes for the Bethel Park Public Library. He advised that there are two on the shelf currently, but that most municipalities have 15 or more videos. Discussion was held concerning the cost and specific types of videos. Decision was made to check into the PAWest Grant program to attempt to secure at least six or seven new training videos. Scott Talbott also agreed to discuss the video issue with PA West this Thursday at his scheduled meeting with them.

Discussion was also held on the need to get more information about other coach and player training programs. Decision was made to invite several player development organizations (MLS, Riverhounds, etcetera) to our May meeting to make short individual presentations to the Board so that we can make more informed decisions.

Fields: Brian Wassel advised that the nets are still not up at Millenium behind the goals. After much inquiry, Brian found out that it is still uncertain whether those nets will be up at all this season. Practices on our fields had to be reshuffled due to lacrosse and other Cup teams. Fields have been lined and are ready for play.

Flights: Bill Harvey announced that Flight One went very smoothly. They now carry eight children per team and play 4 v. 4. This allows for a greater amount of touches on the ball. There was great attendance at both time slots for Flight One. Bill commented that all the coaches seemed to be using the MLS manuals and performing drills learned in the MLS coaches’ clinic. Jack Kun advised that he did hear several complaints about the time change of Flight 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., but that the Flight went smoothly and was well-attended. He agreed that many parents have run into the difficulty of having two children simultaneously playing on different fields. Jack stated that one parent had some great ideas on how to rearrange the Flights. These ideas will be explored to see if they will work for the fall session.

Tournament: Scott Talbott announced that the Bethel Park U-11 Tournament will be held the weekend of November 9^th and 10^th. The Tournament could accommodate up to 16 boys teams and 16 girls teams. The entrance fee will be $125.00. Ad. space in the programs could be sold to Cup teams. Scott advised the Board that we need to decide whether the BPSA wants to undertake the job of concessions that weekend or whether we want to offer it out to another organization. Decision was made to work the concessions ourselves through parent volunteers. A committee will need to be formed for this endeavor.

Tryouts: Dave Porco advised that he is in the process of securing unbiased coaches and trainers for the tryouts in May. The tryout date for next year’s U-10 teams should be given to every eligible Flight 4 player. If any team is interested in tryouts, please email Dave immediately at DavePorco@prodigy.net. A question was raised as to how players are placed on teams at the U-10 level. Terry Bove advised that the individual age-level coaches get together and decide whether to have evenly talented teams or to split the teams into Division I and II. It is at their discretion as to how to divide the teams.

Coalition Report: Scott Talbott reported that many kudos were given to Terry Bove and the BPSA for their problem-solving efforts with reference to the demand for fields between soccer and lacrosse. Scott also advised that we will need to look at working toward making Challenge Grants when devising the new budget.

Mentor Program: Scott Talbott met with Brian Wassel, Mark Bowman and others to develop the groundwork for the Mentor Program. Twelve high school freshmen showed up at a general interest meeting. The time the mentors spend could be used toward community service hours or toward the Senior Project. The mentors would be asked to spend time each Saturday to help coach Flights 3 and 4. They would assist the parent coaches and help demonstrate drills. Scott presented the list of the mentors to the Board and to the age group commissioners. Scott will draft a letter to be sent out in the high school mail to try to get more teenagers into the program. He has asked the Boosters to try to get more upperclassmen to participate as well. Scott presented to the Board a request for T-shirts for the mentors as a way of saying thank you.

New Business: Russ Spicuzza announced that their attempts to get school district support for a girls’ middle school soccer team was successful. There will be a general interest meeting on April 18^th at 8:00 in Room A of the Community Center. Great job, Russ!

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, May 14, 2002 at 8 p.m. in the Council Caucus Room (behind Council Chambers).

Our next meeting will decide many budgetary issues. If you care about how your soccer dollars are being spent, make an effort to come to the next meeting and let your opinions be heard.