BETHEL PARK SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Board Meeting – November 9, 2004

Russ Spicuzza, President of the Bethel Park Soccer Association (BPSA), called the meeting to order at 7:14pm in the Caucus Room of the Bethel Park Municipal Building. Also present were Tom Boss, Rich Huntaway, Ed Emmett, Bill Harvey, Jack Kun, Bob Monte, Stan See, Mark Vescovi, and Tom Vater.

Secretary’s Report: The October minutes were posted on the website prior to the meeting. No additions or corrections were made.

Treasurer’s Report: Jack Kun stated that our current balance was $30694.23. All money has been received from the Recreation Department for fall registration.

Jack distributed our expenses to date for the current budget year. He also discussed our budget for next year (2004-2005).

Our current fee for flights was $48, with actual costs of $38. Our current fee for travel players was $63, with actual cost of $74. Jack is suggesting that we consider raising the fee for travel by $5.

Tom mentioned that the Rec Department would be raising our processing fee starting next fall. Their current fee of 10% will be raised to 11% to cover increased fee from the school district for use of fields and facilities.

Bill discussed reducing the fee for flights to more accurately reflect the costs of flights. More discussion next meeting.

Jack also commented about the Reilly Fundraiser. We sold 343 dozens of donuts, and collected money in donations. We donated $1632 to the Reilly’s. Special thanks to Tonya and Don Snyder for all their hard work.

President’s Report: Need good attendance at our next meeting for elections.

The South District president’s meeting is January 19^th, at 7pm at Carlynton High School.

Communications: We will have registration material in the Bethel Park Chronicle and the December is of Rec News for the grade schools. Tom plans on an article in the Almanac, and possible on the Bethel Park cable network.

Registration: Tom will send out a list of those travel players registered for the spring before next meeting. Please secure you player cards and rosters, because Tom will need them for registration in the spring. If you want Tom to hold on to them, please return them to him.

P.R./Fundraising: Pictures went okay. Not much response from Flight 5 boys or girls. Bob will discuss with the photographer about being more responsive to the groups as they are getting their pictures taken.

Bob will also explore alternative photographers. He will look into cost versus local photographer that might better handle problems and questions.

Player Development: Stan talked about travel teams and playing time. Players should be playing close to 50% of each game. The exception is teams registered as Division A/1, and even then, playing time should come close to 50%.

He also commented that our emphasis should be on player/team development, and less on winning. Coaches are responsible to help all players improve and enjoy the game. No only do players develop physically at different speeds, but the older teams have larger rosters.

Keeping all the players involved and developing their skills will ensure that we have teams in the older age groups. Stan is willing to talk to any parents who have a different philosophy about player development.

Stan would like to have some kind of a coaching clinic for flights before the spring session. He also would recommend that travel coaches look into taking E License Course. Check PA West website for details and dates.

Flights: Bill discussed redirecting MLS coaching assistance from Flight 1-3 towards Flight 4 and 5, or dropping the Saturday MLS coaching all together. He felt that they added little to the programs from both the players and coach’s perspective.

He also discussed the Spring season. He is planning nine weeks of soccer. He will also explore holding the Memorial Day Tournament away from the High School Stadium (since the rental fee is exorbitant) to Park Avenue or Millennium. More details as we get closer.

Referees: Tom said the season finished well. Please let him know if there were any problems will the referees. Ed, Brian Carbonara and Tom will work on referee kits, including pre and post game checklists.

It’s time to recertify. The Bethel Park course will be Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at Building #1, room 101 at the high school. 6:30-9:30pm.

Please register through PA West. Other classes are available, too. Check PA West website for more details.

Field: Tom Boss stated that the field conditions were good. Millennium still has a hard surface, and Park Ave is chewed up from football.

There was discussion about applying for grant money for lights and nets at Millennium.

Equipment: Jack stated that coaches should hold onto their uniforms over the winter. Replacement cost is $15 per jersey, payable by the player or coach if lost. New socks for travel and jersey’s for new players in flights will be issued in the spring.

There was also talk about the new nets at Millennium, and the need for anchors on all the nets (maybe sand bag style). Jack will continue to look into them.

Registrar: Tom will check into a division B for U-11 G and division 3 for U-11 B with the district registrar.

Website: Mark distributed a flyer about hits to the website, and new information posted during the past month.

Nominations: Any nomination should be made to Mark Vescovi or Russ Spicuzza within the next week. Mark will send out a sample ballot by the following Friday, and actual ballots before the next meeting.

Bylaws: Mark discussed the bylaws and rules that were emailed out. We will be voting on them at the next meeting.

James Meara from MLS is collecting old equipment for the intercity soccer program that MLS is organizing. More info about this program will be distributed as we hear about it.