NOGSL Meeting Minutes

Monday, February 11, 2008

Concordia

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:38 pm.  Roll call was taken.  Missing communities were Avon Lake, Berea, Independence, Sandusky, South Euclid and Willoughby.

 

Al Soper –

 

            The community reps were thanked for venturing out on such a bitter evening.

 

Old Business

            As stated at the last meeting, Risk Management enrollment is required for new coaches and returning coaches whose certification has expired.  OYSAN is charging $5 per registration.  Many of the people who are involved in soccer are in NOGSL, OASL or AASL, and could also be referees.  All of these organizations have given out a charge number that can be used for the on-line enrollment; however, it is difficult to control the security of these numbers. Each person who enrolls can select up to three affiliations and OYSAN charges the first one for the fee.  NOGSL will reimburse communities/clubs for this charge.  A credit card number should be used to pay for the enrollment and a copy of the confirmation page can be sent to the Registrar.  A list of coaches who have enrolled on-line should be sent to the Treasurer’s PO Box.  The $5/coach will be deducted from fees owed to NOGSL in the billing process.

            Plans have started for the U14 All-Star game in May.  The weekend before Memorial Day is the target.  We will look at getting the field for the Sunday evening to reduce conflict with State Cup preliminaries that are taking place that weekend.  Each U14 team can nominate up to three players for the game.  All nominees should be playing their last season in NOGSL.  NOGSL board members will coach the teams.  Last year’s participants had a great time and we are looking forward to another fun evening of soccer.

 

New Business

            Teams were put in brackets at our meeting last Sunday and Robin has included them in community packets.  After reviewing all the teams in each age group we devised the following strategy:

            U8 – one bracket this spring

            U9 – geographic brackets (east/west) at all levels

            U10 – a competitive division 1, then geographic brackets for all other levels

            U11 – competitive division 1 and 2, then geographic brackets

            U12 (8v8) – divided east and west

            U12 (11v11) – the last season for this group; one bracket

            U13 – competitive divisions 1 and 2, then geographic brackets

            U13/14 (8v8) – divided geographically

            U14 – competitive division 1, then geographic brackets

Brackets were reviewed and some teams were reassigned based on community requests.  Robin will send out new bracket information and schedules if needed.  Updated coach names and contact information will appear on final bracket sheets.

            No times were given on the initial schedules.  Our two biggest problems have been rescheduling of games and complaints about lack of referees.  This season we will try something new.  The home team should look at field availability and block out times to play games.  Communities should work with their boys’ team coordinators to set up schedules that make it easier for the ref assignors to find refs to cover games.  It is very difficult to find refs to take a single game.  Mary will send out a sample excel sheet that will illustrate how to think about getting games scheduled.  Home team communities should work with visiting team reps to get confirmations of all scheduled games before the next NOGSL meeting.  While we do not require communities to have specific, set starting times, please be reasonable.  If visiting teams feel that home field schedules are crazy, please contact an NOGSL board member to help get things resolved.

            The scheduling process is one of the most important steps toward a successful season for everyone.  With that in mind, the board proposed the following motion:

            Every community/club must have a representative at the final scheduling meeting or they will be fined $50 per team.  The representative (regular or substitute) must have full authority to approve last minute changes to schedules and submit a final copy of schedules for each team in their club/community before the end of the meeting.  The final schedule copy must list fields, times and dates for every game.  The motion was made by Madison and seconded by Wadsworth.  The motion passed with no abstentions or opposition.

            Games cannot be rescheduled unless weather conditions/field conditions are a concern or the owners of the field have closed it for their purposes.  If a game must be rescheduled for these reasons, the home team club rep should contact the visiting team club rep asap by phone and then follow up with an email, copying Debbie or Robin as the age commissioner.  The ref assignor should also be notified with a phone call, unless the cancellation is more than 72 hours in advance.  If the ref assignor is not notified and a ref goes to the field, the community must pay the ref fee.

            Some teams are still refusing to play all of the games in their season.  Players on their teams and on the opposing teams have paid for and expect to get all their games.  In the past NOGSL has had a no forfeit rule.   It appears that we have to look at forfeits or “loss with fine” options for teams that are unreasonable.  This concept is being introduced at this meeting.  Reps are asked to think about ways we can eliminate this problem so the girls can have the opportunity to play soccer.  The subject will be raised again at the next meeting.

            The issue of changing Article III (Affiliation) and Article VI (Board of Directors) of the Constitution was raised and reviewed for a second time.  Copies of the Constitution will be emailed to all reps.

 

Carl Pavlovich –

            Everyone was reminded that the indoor tournament discount registration period ends after February 14th.  Reduced fees are $225 for U9s and $250 for all other age groups.  Please contact Carl or Howard with your team commitments.  The tourney is March 14-16 at the Soccer Sportsplex in North Olmsted.  It is an NOGSL function and is covered by the OYSAN secondary insurance.

 

Jan Marsh –

            If you have new teams, additions or changes and would like to receive your materials at the March 10th meeting they must be at Jan’s house by March 1st.   If you want the materials after the next meeting, include a self addressed stamped envelope to cover the cost of mailing your materials.  You may also contact Jan to have them ready in a packet on her front porch for someone to pick up.  If you want to participate in the March indoor tournament, please turn in your info ASAP to get the registrations completed.  April 23rd is the last day to drop off materials to add a new player/coach this season.  Completed player passes with glued on photo must be submitted with paperwork for new players/coaches. Also remember that player drops must be accompanied by a form signed by the parents.  A reason for the drop (parent request, moved) must be included. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.

 

Next meeting:  Monday, March 10th, 7:00 pm @ Tony K’s on W. Bagley Rd., Berea

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Killoran

NOGSL Secretary