Tom Vater, President of the Bethel Park Soccer Association, (BPSA) called the meeting to order at 6:30PM in the Caucus Room of the Bethel Park Municipal Building. Also present were Dave Conely, Jim Huber, Jack Kun, Jim Rhoades, Matt Scott, Don Snyder, Tom Vater, Tom Boss, Bob Monte, Bill Wolf, Ray Conway, Rich Chongaway, Russ Spicuzza, Dan Saffer, and Mark Vescovi.

Secretary’s Report: The minutes were posted on the website, and distributed at the meeting. Jack motioned to accept the minutes, and Russ seconded. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report: Jack reported that our balance was $34,096.11. Jack asked Bob Monte to go to PNC Bank at the South Hills Village to get his signature on the checking account for the association. Also Registration is coming up and we will be receiving more money during the spring registration.

President’s Report:  Tom had several points: First Tom Vater and Ray Conway Will go  to the Southwestern PA District meeting on January 18. Secondly Tom had a meeting with Gary Lafever regarding fields and registration. On the fields issue they discussed Millennium Field and the problems with the surface, etc.  Also the recreation department would prefer information to go through Russ, Tom B, Tom V, and Don Snyder. Tom said to push registration to everyone. Mark sent out an e mail of all board members.

Committees:

Registration- Table registration is Jan 18 from 7-8:30pm in Council Chambers. Tom will be attending the South District meeting, and asked for volunteers to man the table. Don Snyder, Jim Huber, and Jim Rhoades will be helping out (Secretary’s note: Bob Monte will also be helping.) Anyone else’s help will be appreciated. In addition to collecting registrations and answering questions, we will try to have additional Bethel Park Apparel for sale. There was some discussion on the article regarding soccer in the Chronicle.

Communications- Tom sent out ballots and flyers about upcoming registration and meetings to all the soccer families. He is hoping this might generate addition volunteers and ideas for the upcoming year.  They will also be put on BPTV and School News.

Referees- There will be a referees’ clinic on February 18, 2006 and February 19. 2006. U12 and older can be referees.

Travel Commissioner & Registrar- 83 players have already registered. Tom sent out a list of who was registered from each team. The next list will come out after the first of the year. Also there was discussion on putting together teams of older kids.

PR/Fundraising- We are still checking if we got the donation from Uniroyal. Tom will send a letter of appreciation to Dick’s for the coaches’ boxes that we received in August. Russ will thank the Citizen Bank people for the soccer ball donation.

Player/Coach Development- Bill Wolf passed out flyer about the coaching symposium on February 4, 2006 at the Greentree Sportsplex from 8AM to 530PM. If there are five coaches that go we get a discount.

Flights- Flights have been quiet. There are extra balls at Village Green.

Fields- Tom Boss reported that the nets need moved from Millennium Field to Ben Franklin School. Russ added that everyone needs to stay off of millennium field so that the field can be done properly. Rich mentioned that last season there was supposed to be dirt put on a particular field and that it never happened. Also he mentioned that the grass was not being cut correctly.

Equipment- Russ asked Jack if we had got sand bags for the nets and Jack stated we had received the bags.  

Community Liaison- No report.

Website- Mark handed out a flyer detailing usage of the website, and upgrades that were done. Also Mark stated for $120 per month we could get more space on the site through Frontline. Also Mark suggested switching web site to Web Solutions. Finally please make sure e-mail address is correct.

Old Business- None

New Business-

Tom moved that the monthly meeting be adjourned and we meet in the Conference room for the Yearly Planning Meeting at 7:30PM.

Planning Meeting 730 PM Conference Room

President Tom Vater Conducted Meeting

Calendar 2006

January:       Planning Meeting

Registration for Spring Soccer

February:      Referee Clinic

Early Bird Registration Deadline

Travel Deadline

March:         

April:           Travel/ Flights Begin

Edinboro Tournament

Shoot to score Elks

May:            Fall Registration

Player Appreciation

June:

July:            Referee Camp

August:        Determine Teams

September:   Start playing games

Picture Day

Fliers from Uniroyal

Community Day

October:       Promotional night high school

November:   Coaches appreciation

December:    Year end Summary

Calendar Notes:

1. Riverhounds Camp 6/8/06 to 6/19/06
2. Shoot to score Pitt 7/10/06 to 7/14/06
3. MLS Camp 7/31/06
4. Bring High school students to flights
5. Coach’s clinic-Travel Coaches to get licenses
6. PA West events calendar
7. Document By-Laws Committee Responsibilities
8. Hand out registration forms in the spring for fall.

Flights:

1. Uniforms
2. Atmosphere
3. New ideas:
   • Flights 2 and 3 coaches to help flight 1 coaches.
   • MLS person to help with flights.
   • Do multiple stations for each drill.
   • Copies of videos of kids doing drills.
   • Should be benchmarks from level to level.
   • Set up competition of flights 4, 5, etc.
   • Share coaches and kids during drills.
   • Mention or maintain if kids can play 50% of the time.
   • Ask what age are other children.

Travel:

1. Fields
2. Coaches training.
   • Team Managers – option for coach to choose
3. Schedules – Helpful if all coaches knew everyone’s schedule
4. Referees
   • Blow whistle loudly and make calls.
   • Should be on time prior to the game.
   • Should be performance feedback on referees
5. Appoint Coaches earlier in year.
6. Player evaluations.
   • Pull back on playing up kids.
   • Soccer program in the summer time.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm by Tom Vater.

Upcoming Dates-

          February 2, 2006- Early Bird registration ends

          February 15, 2006- Travel registration ends

          February 18 & 19, 2006- New Referee Certification

Next meeting will be February 21, 2006 at 7:00 pm in Caucus Room.

Respectfully Submitted

Jim Rhoades, Secretary

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