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Competitive Soccer Summit - November 21, 2009 - REPORT
NHSA COMPETITIVE SUMMIT REPORT
21-NOV-09
On November 21, 2009, a Competitive Summit was held at the Concord NH, High School. The intent of this summit was to bring together members of the NHSA community from the variety of board members, coaches, administrators, managers and referees, to discuss issues and concerns that they may have with soccer and the development of the soccer environment within NHSA.
Thirty eight people attended this second Competitive Summit. Thirty eight people had a voice and were heard. This was a first time event for some who did not know what to expect but quickly were introduced and participated.
The consensus of the group was that this should be a bi-annual event. Another consensus was this event should be held regionally and then hold one general discussion at the NHSA AGM.
It appeared that the major topic was that the participants felt that an NHSA facility should be addressed. A facility located in a central location to the clubs. This facility should be big enough to house the office, the DOC, meetings and classroom environment for coaching and referee licensing. Also they felt it should also be able to house a minimum of four full size soccer fields that could be used for tournaments, teaching, camps, etc.
They would like to see the website with a master calendar of events for the coming year and possibly six months in advance. They felt it needed to be more conducive to the goings on of the NHSA. Communication should be improved. More communication with the leagues and clubs. Should be more informed of what NHSA is doing. Some felt NHSA was not publicized enough through out the state. Some clubs, coaches, members felt they did not know enough about NHSA and what it was all about, what it had to offer the members. The members would like to see on line capabilities sooner instead of later.
The participants felt that NHSA should help the two leagues work together to deal with their challenges whether there be a consolidation or not or there be a state league. They would like to see a more regular schedule of play. Teams made to relegate up or down due to their competitiveness of play. Possible tiered play, rank the teams in both leagues and have regionalized play. The state should focus more on EDP thru out the whole state.
The fall tournament was a favorite and wanted to keep. The Youth Open Cup they would like to see go back to a round robin and stay in the spring or go to the fall as a bonus tournament. The State Cup they felt was running well and would like to see if we could work the Presidents Cup back in for the second tier teams.
The participants felt that NHSA should have a vision with set attainable goals. They would like to see possibly a six year actionable plan.
Respectfully Submitted
candia campbell
NHSA Youth Competitive Vice President
Notes of the Competitive Meeting
30 July, 2009
The following clubs/leagues were represented: Derry, Lightning, Timberlane, Nashua World Cup, NH Classics (Bedford), ROSO, Seacoast United, GSYSL
1. Ric is back at the office and very happy to be so!!
2. Blue Sombrero Online Registration: NHSA is hoping to be utilizing online registration this fall.
3. New England Premier League - US Clubs league that is not currently sanctioned by NHSA.
4. State Cup - ran fairly smoothly this year.
a. No NH teams made it to the semi-finals at Regionals
b. National Rule change - In the U-14 and U-15 age groups, a rostered player may only play 2 age groups up. Ex. Team playing U15 can only have on its roster U15-U14 and U13 players. For teams competing in the U16-17-18-19 age group may roster any player in the National Championships age groups at the team’s age group and younger thru the U14.
5. Open Cup -
a. most teams did not like this year's single elimination format.
b. looking at making changes for next season
6. President's Cup- Sub regional competition that was filled with difficulties. Teams backing out, information dissemination problems, etc. National is looking at making numerous changes in response to the difficulties
a. National Recommendation that the President's Cup tournament be held over Memorial Day weekend. Add the U13 age group (U13-14-15-16-17). Regional tournament to be held in the Albany NY area
All clubs present were against this and asked candia to forward their concerns to Region 1.
7. Fall State Playoffs -
a. GSYSL recommendation - Top 2 teams in our upper divisions play their final at the NHSA playoffs. Division 2 Champion plays Seacoast League's Division 1 Champion. GSYSL will determine our Division 3 representative to play Seacoast's League rep.
b. candia took this under advisement, but also stated that she had been talking to Seacoast Maine to possibly send reps to play GSYSL's top division. TBD.
c. Discussed was the elimination of the NHSA Fall playoffs and hold the U-12 thru U-14 Open Cup in the fall and eliminate the Open Cup in the spring.
d. Discussed that the referees were over tasked due to all the events occurring in the spring.
8. Team registration verification - Ric will contact Bonnie/Steve to confirm that teams registered with GSYSL are also registered with NHSA and are "legal" to play. This will occur no later than August 27.
9. Player passes
a. It was requested that player passes list the player’s true age group rather than the team's age group, if it differs. Is that possible to do Steve?
10. GSYSL Scheduler - lots of positive feedback on Steve's scheduling and working with NHSA to accommodate their events. Good Job Steve!!
11. New Business - The group suggested that the two leagues (GSYSL, Seacoast League) merge to form one large league that could combine resources and offer more competition to all teams in the NH.
The suggestion went one step further and recommended that the "combined" league be incorporated into NHSA and run by that organization.
12. Kids Safe: would like to have a go to list. One password, one payment. Would like club admin to be able to access that club to see if compliant. Registration on line would like one line: check or credit card option
13. NHSA AGM: Would like to see NHSA AGM held earlier, possibly Feb. so as not to interfere with spring season.
14. New Business - Soccer Summit - candia is scheduling a soccer summit for November 21, 2009, location Concord. More information will follow.
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Respectfully submitted
Sonja Snelgrove – GSYSL
candia campbell
VP NHSA Youth Competitive