NOVA COACHES LEAGUE | SPRING 2003

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MEETING MINUTES

TEAM CONTACTS MEETING
SUN APR 27 AT 5:00 PM
8844 RIXLEW LANE, MANASSAS

DIRECTIONS: Rte 66 West Exit 47 South on bussiness 234 sign-posted to Manassas. Immediately past Manassas Mall turn right on Rixlew Lane, and past the school, you will see a shopping center in which #8844 is located.

On Sunday, April 27, Colin held a meeting to address the critical issues facing the NOVA Coaches' League NOVA-CL. At the open, Colin announced that he resents "the hell out of ALL of [us]." No, not because of late registration forms, abused referee complaints, intra-league squabbling and other annoyances that we put him through. But because, he said, we're still playing soccer. And he can't! Humor aside, it was clear to those attending that the league is facing challenges and we, as managers, must take action to keep it viable for the long-term.

FIELDS: This is NOVA-CL's most pressing issue. Almost half of the teams in the league have 1) lost their fields; 2) could be losing them next Fall; or 3) play on crappy ones. To increase the likelihood that Fairfax CO will assign fields to our teams, NOVA-CL will apply as a league for permits. This way, we have a higher priority with assignors. All Fairfax CO based teams are strongly urged to participate, EVEN IF you already hold an individual permit or have applied for one on your own. Here's why: More documented need means more leverage with the county. Plus, In the face of increasing competition for fields, and more CO audit/enforcement, it could be your team that loses its permit in future seasons.

FIELD REQUESTS: The "deadline" for Fall 2003 field requests is May 1st. Colin has already cued up field requests for more than 10-teams. Though it's late in the process for others to jump-on, Colin said he will submit requests for teams that get him the proper paperwork to him by May 7th. Several are moving on this offer. If you want to do the same, email me ASAP for a how-to. Although the deadline for Spring 2004 is months away, NOVA-CL wants to get the process moving early so we can develop a positive working relationship with the county. More on that process in future email.

OTHER INFO ON FIELDS: To be clear, teams that have previously requested individual permits should continue to do so. You can also be bundled in with the league request and increase the likelihood of getting a permit. Also, there is a form that needs to be completed for each team and, for some, there could be fees involved for non-resident players. But the greater value of going through the permitting process, i.e. fields, will far outweighs the hassle. Plus, this warning: Not to take this option will likely bite you in the future.

LAST THING ON FIELDS: Colin will request 3:30PM Saturday timeslot. Managers presented rejected idea of requesting other slots due to difficulty w/scheduling of teams that can only play on Saturday afternoons. We also hope that the 3:30 request will allow NOVA-CL to schedule at 5:30, since its unlikely the CO will assign teams at that time.

LEAGUE LIABILITY: To limit liability, Colin has set-up NOVA-CL as a "scheduling organization" rather than a "league." He's also developed a player registration form that offers some degree of liability release for individual teams. Colin strongly recommended, but doesn't require, all players to sign them. Again, for protection from lawsuit. This will also be more important as league moves to legitimization with the county.

LEAGUE RULES: Full and complete league rules to be published soon. For now, the managers signed off on rules for red-cards: Until some sort of reporting structure can be established, the honor system will be in place to enforce the following: Player receiving red-card is suspended for following game. Same for 2nd red-card. Player receiving 3rd red-card of season, is suspended for 90-days. Any players who assaults referee is GONE, i.e. expelled from league with criminal charges pursued. Teams are encouraged to complete rough play reports, but only for rare instances of intent to injure.

CONCLUSION: Competition for field space, and the need to legitimize NOVA-CL in the eyes of the county, are driving us from what we've always been (a loose-nit organization) to one with more formality. Though NOVA-CL will remain far less formal than other men's leagues, fact is, the days of mailing a check, then receiving a schedule for 20-weeks of games are fast coming to a close. And the more teams do to get involved now, the brighter the future will be for diverse, competitive Saturday afternoon soccer.

Steve Jarriel, Manager, Vienna Soccer Club

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Stephen L. Jarriel
steve.jarriel@worldnet.att.net
M: 703/244-0046

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