March 13, 2009 TASL MEETING MINUTES The regularly scheduled TASL meeting was held on March 13, 2009 with the following in attendance: Dorothy Morgan, Dave Dearborn, Teresa Phillips, Nan Beck, Ray Franklin (WBSC), Dan Eaker (CUSC), Barb Kester (CSL), Mike Williams (CUSA), Brian Francazio (NYSL), Scott Truesdale (Carolina Lightning), Richard Brooks and Don Luzzatto (SYAA). President Dorothy Morgan called the meeting to order at 7:41pm. She asked that all in attendance introduce themselves and state club affiliation. She then congratulated AYSO and PSC for being accepted as new voting members into TASL. Dorothy asked Nan Beck, TASL Secretary to read the minutes. She then requested a motion to approve them. Don Luzzatto made the motion and Dan Eaker seconded it. The motion carried. Dorothy asked that Ray Franklin, Treasurer review the financials at the end of the meeting. Dorothy stated that the upcoming dates and deadlines have been posted on the TASL website. Please let Dorothy know if any corrections need to be made. Dorothy asked for an update on the fee structure spreadsheet for fall season. Dave Dearborn, Vice President stated that the updated information would be ready to be presented at the April meeting. Dorothy reviewed referee reminders and recent concerns: The offside's rule does not apply for the U9 and U10 games. Club Reps need to remind their referee assignors that they are working for TASL and they need to let their referees know they should be following TASL rules. All referees should report any infractions to their referee assignors so they can be reported to the TASL Administrator, Teresa Phillips. TASL is sanctioned by VYSA so they will discipline an issue only after TASL gives appropriate data to them. The Club Rep or an appointed substitute must be in charge of all TASL games at their home site. If any situation comes up that a TASL official needs to go to the site to handle, they need to know who they should talk to do about it . Club Reps need to make sure their coaches are aware of all TASL rules and that they need to be followed. Dave suggested that coaches also need to adapt to the different levels and styles of referees. If a referee has an issue that occurs during a game, the referee is responsible for filing a complaint to VYSA before VYSA will hear the case. There is not any type of parent suspension if a parent is asked to leave the field during a match. Coaches are responsible for their parents' behavior and actions. They can be ejected from a game due to the behavior of their parents. Dorothy stated that she had attended a session at the VYSA workshop on adjudication issues and reviewed what she had learned. She pointed out that Ray Greenburg, VYSA Board member and also a member of the US Soccer Federation Board takes referee abuse very seriously. There usually is a one season or one year suspension for coaches who are found guilty. They are required to take an anger management course which is not usually offered locally. The cost for the appeal is $250 and the coach is only given one chance for an appeal. VYSA always looks to see how things are being handled "in house" by sanctioned organizations. If TASL or a club suspends a coach, the coach can appeal to VYSA. However, VYSA usually will support the club or league if there is sufficient documentation to support the action. Dorothy suggested that all Club Reps remind their coaches that TASL is bound to a higher authority, VYSA and all procedural information is posted on their website. Unfinished Business: Dorothy asked for any unfinished business. -Nan passed out a document listing the TASL Waiver Request for spring season 2009 for review. After reviewing these, Dorothy stated that the updated form would be sent out to all Club Reps by Friday so all coaches would have it for their first game. -Dave announced that NUSC is now using Karen Arnold as their referee assignor for all their Recreational and TASL games. -Dan Eaker, CUSC Rep ask about the yellow and red card tracking procedure and asked if it was up to the referee to submit this information to their assignor? Dorothy stated that assignors must tell their referees they are responsible for turning in this information to their assignors so they can send the information they receive from their referees to Teresa. -Everyone was reminded that April 1st is the freeze date. New Business: : Dorothy asked for new business and the following was introduced: Mike Williams, CUSA thanked all involved with helping ensure North Carolina players were able to play for the spring season. Dorothy told everyone about the rollercoaster ride that occurred a few days prior to the season. She explained how she was informed that the North Carolina players were not allowed to play in an unrestricted league or open league even when it is sanctioned by VYSA. She was on the telephone with both the representative from the North Carolina Soccer Association (NCSA) and from VYSA. Eight games had to be cancelled due to the unforeseen complications brought on by NCSA. Teresa stated her intent is to reschedule these games back into the schedule as doubleheaders. Dave pointed out that checking rosters and player cards by referees is not mandatory but it is strongly encouraged. Dan also recommended that players should be checked by referees to make sure players are wearing shin guards and are not wearing jewelry due to safety reasons. Assignors need to be reminded to tell their referees about this. Barb Kester (CSL) suggested that other clubs follow a procedure that CSL uses. She explained that CSL gives out a letter stating that the "working" roster is current to date and other Club Reps could call to verify the roster. The Club Rep's name and contact number is listed on it. Brian expressed concern that he has had questions from coaches asking if players are allowed to play if they are not on the roster or do not have a player card. Dorothy reminded everyone that all players must be listed on the team roster and have a player card or they cannot play because they are not insured. All players must have their player cards by April 1st. Dave announced that TCC at Portsmouth is open for the spring but would be closing for fall season. Dave reminded everyone that Maury High School will be hosting a high school soccer tournament on March 17th -20th. Dave asked for permission to use TASL's mass emails to send out an announcement about this. Teresa stated that Dave must go through Club Reps by asking them to forward the announcement to their club membership. Dorothy stated it could be put on the TASL website. Dorothy called for a review of the financials and turned the meeting over to Ray. He presented the current operating budget for the spring. He pointed out that the operating balance was less than in the past and pointed to the following reasons for this: -Rainouts in the fall were made up even though they were not planned; therefore, incurring additional referee costs. -The TASL Tournament was broken down into more divisions than planned: therefore, incurring additional referee costs. Specific information was presented to make up for these costs. It was evident that the fee structure for the fall would need to be increased. As for the spring operating budget, discussion was focused on how to make up for the differences. After discussion, it was decided by all that there needs to be a financial solution for this. All were asked to brainstorm solutions and bring them to the meeting on April 8th for further discussion. It was stressed that the fall fee structure needs to be addressed. Dave stated he would have that done within the next two weeks. Ray will email Dave all the numbers he needs to complete this spreadsheet. Dave was asked to create a fee structure with an eight game schedule and a three game tournament schedule with extra games figured in. He was also asked to develop it with the understanding that divisions will not be split for the tournament unless absolutely necessary. Dorothy announced that the Competition Meeting will be held on April 8th prior to the regularly scheduled meeting. Club declarations for the fall will be due in July. Several additional questions were asked: -Dan asked if the waiver form should be posted on the TASL website. Dorothy asked this be tabled to the next meeting. -Dan asked if it was too late to add a U19 team. He was informed that it was. -Don Luzzatto, SYAA asked about the procedure to follow for potential cancellations due to rain. Dave explained his club's procedures. Dorothy stated that if a club has to close their fields, the Club Rep needs to contact Teresa and she will send out mass emails. Teresa stated she would also send out mass emails if fields were to remain open. -Dorothy reminded everyone that it is an election year. She will plan to remind everyone at the April meeting that the nominations can be made at the May meeting and elections will take place at the June meeting. With no more new business, Dorothy asked for a motion to adjourn. Teresa made the motion and Dave seconded it. The meeting was adjourned at 9:48pm. Respectfully submitting, Nan Beck, TASL Secretary Respectfully submitting, Nan Beck TASL Secretary