Date: Oct. 29, 2000
To: VASC coaches and managers
From: Barb Smith, Secretary
Re: Minutes of the 10-23-00 VASC Board Mtg

Present: Brenda Schmidt, Barb Smith, Brian Severson, Sara Landolt, Scott Clement, Ron Tiedt, Jon Sutcliffe, Mary Buckman, Brad Neumann

Small sided issues Coaches for a Club U-8 team attended the meeting seeking advice on how to continue to challenge their players after a very successful fall season. Coaching director Jon Sutcliffe suggested scrimmaging with older teams, playing indoor soccer and participating in 3 v 3 tournaments to continue developing basic skills. Jon warned that moving the team into a higher age bracket would expose the young players to a more physical game but may be an option. The coaches will discuss their situation with MAYSA director Bill Loss.

These coaches wondered if the Club plans to merge with the Verona city rec department to organize a league for the younger players. Some observations against such a City administered merger:: the City program currently randomly assigns players to teams, which would disrupt the existing teams; VASC sponsors have supplied uniforms with the expectation that the teams would wear them for at least a couple of years; and the Club requires at least a minimum coaching license which improves the quality of coaching for the younger players.

Mary cited some complaints about the preparation of fields at Reddan for the small-sided games. The Club will mark the fields beginning in the spring and supply goals to the U-8 and U-9 coaches for use in their games.

Club uniforms Mary reported that Middleton Cycle will present information on uniforms and accessories after the new styles are introduced November 15. Steffans of Milwaukee will offer their proposal, possibly at the November meeting. Uniform committee members, including Scott, Brenda, Jeff and any other interested Club members, will select two uniform options for teams to choose from.

What's Kickin'? newsletter Newsletter articles are due to Jeff by November 15 for distribution of What's Kickin'? in December. The issue will include information about spring registration; boys' spring soccer tryout; upcoming tournaments; bios for new youth director, Brenda Schmidt, and new vice president, Scott Clement; job openings on the Board; and possibly a piece by youth referee, Greg Schmidt.

Club fields The last fall season game will be played at the Club fields on November 4 and the fields will be slit seeded after that. Mary and Jeff will review our mowing schedule for the fields and have the mowing rebid for next year. Is it cost effective to maintain the fields at a cost of $5-6000 per year for approximately sixty scheduled season games?

Other Jon requested and received financial assistance for 50% of the cost ($270) for three high school players for the indoor season.

We will check on partnering with MAYSA for our annual 5-a-side tournament. We expect that using MAYSA resources to get out information about the tournament and moving the date of the tournament to April will generate a good response from area teams.

Sara continues to work with Stingrays manager, Mary Mattison, to build a club Web site. Thanks to both of them.

Brenda wondered if there is a basic rulebook for coaches. Referee calls are sometimes questioned, especially by coaches of the younger players who may be unfamiliar with game rules. The MAYSA coaches handbook covers the basic rules of the game. Mary suggested that specific questions may be highlighted in a "Referees' Corner" in the Club newsletter.

Next VASC Board Meeting - Monday, November 27, 7pm, Verona Library

with help from Sara Cox Landolt