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[tripleplay]

ASE was kicked out of the Tri-Cities Youth Soccer Association

Exactly. And many if not all of those teams could be lured into WYS if they were simply afforded the rights that most of the world's soccer clubs have I.e. Those that do not have to prop up a competitor, 3-Rivers.

So EWDOC is not being accurate when he says that clubs are "leaving" WYS. They are being expelled. I.e. he started the fight and he could (should) end it.

[EWSoccer64]

ASE was kicked out of the Tri-Cities Youth Soccer Association

Exactly. And many if not all of those teams could be lured into WYS if they were simply afforded the rights that most of the world's soccer clubs have I.e. Those that do not have to prop up a competitor, 3-Rivers.

So EWDOC is not being accurate when he says that clubs are "leaving" WYS. They are being expelled. I.e. he started the fight and he could (should) end it.

Actually, as events in Kitsap and elsewhere have shown, EWDOC is accurate.  And it would actually benefit your overall arguement on these boards, in your support of USCS, if you not only acknowledged this but applauded it. 

And ASE was not required to prop up a competitor.  There was some discussion in the TCYSA that Seamless Soccer meant that ASE should send its best players over to 3Rivers, but that was never a "dictat".  ASE has some very fine coaches, and in youth soccer, one finds that experienced families prefer very fine coaches over pedigreed clubs.  (Hint to TP).

Again, ASE was kicked out of the TCYSA for deliberately, with considered forethought, not following the rules of the association.   Why they thought this was the best thing to do, I have no real idea.    The people I know in ASE would not be any part of a WPFC leadership type effort to set up an organization to skim money into their own pockets from the families and players.

[SoccerFlicks]

Clubs are flocking to USCS calling themselves Premier so they too, can charge big bucks...I see teams over here that couldn't get out of the second division of the open state league, now playing PSPL, calling themselves Premier so they charge the same $$$ as the top club in town.  How is that good for the kids???

If you are going to make a statement like this, at least be generically specific and give credit where credit is due.  SOME clubs MIGHT be doing what you claim but not ALL clubs are.  The PSPL has talent that would probably otherwise be somewhere within the RCL if the State wasn't so idiotic in the way they deal with unsatisfied customers.  At least one team that I can think of was in the State's 2010 Div 1 league and had teams in the RCL clamoring for them to be in the RCL this Fall.  Just a month or so ago, this same team gave a spanking to an RCL Div 1 team.  Parents from that RCL team were shocked that this group walked away from WSYS.

So, I really do think your description needs some help: USCS and the PSPL do have PREMIER clubs within their system, some of those clubs ARE NOT charging high prices, and some of those clubs offer teams of RCL Div 1 caliber. 

I realize my description won't sit well with many but I think the situation has gotten to the point that those on the USCS side no longer care what WSYS and their ilk want.  Partnership between the two is no longer needed - business maturity on the side of WSYS will suit them well if they can ever find it - they need to realize their competition has arrived and they must produce a better product to survive.  Think Atari when Nintendo arrived on the scene.  These days Atari offers fond memories of games gone by but the world moved on.  I think WSYS is just another Atari and the local soccer scene is taking steps to move on – unless WSYS can cure its problems and do so quickly USCS may very well be, or has already become, the path used for those looking to move on.

[tripleplay]

Again, ASE was kicked out of the TCYSA

Case closed. As long as WYS continues to allow corrupt locals to expel members for reasons of their own self interest, the responsibility for US Club growth is theirs and theirs alone.

I am no fan of US Club, except in so far as it gives the victims of WYS corruption a chance to play a great sport.  And remember those victims are found in RCL, non-RCL, and rec clubs. I am an advocate of WYS reform.

[Bathos]

I'll admit to being a fairly ignorant noob, but doesn't 'seamless soccer' as implemented mean that the association has exclusive control over all soccer in their boundary?  SYSA, for example, then throws out a half dozen or so independent select clubs and, of course, ECFC.  It seems to me like WSYSA simply doesn't WANT independent clubs since that's contrary to their development model.

In that regard I don't see any compromise as ever being possible.  WSYSA is, it seems, quite content with having a more centralized and 'coherent' program through seamless soccer.  Having a large number of select and a handful of premier clubs leave for USCS doesn't seem like that high of a price to pay for gaining that larger overall control.  I would also guess that they don't think that the PSPL model, for example, is sustainable in the long run.  And, even if it is, it's not that big of a problem as long as they continue to have control of top premier and rec. 

[wanderer]

Bathos is correct. Focus on the top, get the substantial money from the bottom which is very easy to please and ignore the middle and hope the middle goes up or down and the bottom stays quiet.  The only way this works is through partnership with the parents.  Parents happy at the top to be paying probably higher than necessary fees for suboptimized experience.  Parents at the bottom staying relatively indifferent.  ANd the number of parents in the middle who are fairly vocal staying substantially small percentage wise.

[tripleplay]

I'll admit to being a fairly ignorant noob, but doesn't 'seamless soccer' as implemented mean that the association has exclusive control over all soccer in their boundary?  SYSA, for example, then throws out a half dozen or so independent select clubs and, of course, ECFC.  It seems to me like WSYSA simply doesn't WANT independent clubs since that's contrary to their development model.

In that regard I don't see any compromise as ever being possible.  WSYSA is, it seems, quite content with having a more centralized and 'coherent' program through seamless soccer.  Having a large number of select and a handful of premier clubs leave for USCS doesn't seem like that high of a price to pay for gaining that larger overall control.  I would also guess that they don't think that the PSPL model, for example, is sustainable in the long run.  And, even if it is, it's not that big of a problem as long as they continue to have control of top premier and rec. 

Control is illusory. Think about ECNL. WYS is losing top players. Think about Vancouver. RCL teams have (quite sensibly) decided to start playing OPL. Think about lower age groups, where RCL clubs are opting for US Club. What started it was a few impossible-to-please clubs upset at being in the shadow of another club. It's whole segments, regions and age groups, now.
 

[wanderer]

Correct. Control is illusory.  All these families commit for, at most, 12 months. Volunteers commit day to day.  Paid staff are really the only ones that are long term committed.  But there are no real barriers to movement between organizations within USSF.   Fields? Nope.  Competition? For those at the top 10%, yes, still a tradeoff but that decreases every month with the introduction of other venues.  Thanks to Bernie James and Greg Ion (and I do mean that and not in a sarcastical sense), even with the reduced USYSA/WSYSA options being rolled out post constitutional convention, the options to youth soccer families is growing, not shrinking, here in WA state with each passing month. 
ECNL. 
USCS Pre-Academies and Leagues through N. America now.
id2. 
NWCL.
PSPL. 
Younger Age Competitive Leagues. 

Trust me, I'm not saying these are all good but they are options and families have every right to spend their time and money where they find value or enjoyment.  Those that people want will grow, those they do not want will shrink or disappear.

[2 CENTS]

I'll clarify...USCS members won't give up the revenue by allowing these kids back into WYS clubs...but your scenario is a curious one...

But no one is without blood on their hands here...Clubs are flocking to USCS calling themselves Premier so they too, can charge big bucks...I see teams over here that couldn't get out of the second division of the open state league, now playing PSPL, calling themselves Premier so they charge the same $$$ as the top club in town.  How is that good for the kids???

PSPL charges $350 to play their "top" leagues, but no one ever questions where that $$$ goes...you know why you can criticize WYS budget, because you had access to it to criticize...sorry but that's hypocritical to say the least.  You may not like how WYS prioritizes their budget, but at least you know where it is going....

But I hope your example can come true and have more people working together...here in Spokane, it won't happen because now all of the people who couldn't get paid when Premier was Premier, can now get paid and they don't have to answer to anyone.  Tell a ref to $*#& off in one of their games, no worries...don't both to show up for a game, no worries...there are no rules, no consequences, but plenty of parents to doop out of cash...and please, it's not like PSPL would turn anyone down...for God's sake, they only had one GU16 division this Spring, so they called it Super so they could guarantee the winner into the next league...did you see some of those teams... c'mon...

So you can continue to call me a state homer if you like, but at the end of the day...both groups are to blame for not keeping the clubs in check and keeping soccer affordable and leagues affordable...

How can you blame both groups for the mess Wys created? If they had not favored a certain group of clubs and DOC's, none of this would have ever happened.

[PrideNJoy]

How can you blame both groups for the mess Wys created? If they had not favored a certain group of clubs and DOC's, none of this would have ever happened.

maybe it's like this......a virus causes ilness (wys?)....then vultures, by nature, will come to feed(uscs?)

neither help......the problem.....the cycle will never be broken, for some, in 4 or 5 years, these will be the good ole days, while for many now...it's a nightmare

[EWSoccer64]

Back when the PDL was being formed, the Big Club DoCs needed the District Six vote to have the WSYSA OK the proposal.   Three Rivers was invited in, with the expectation that they could help sway the District Six vote.  I was the only voice to speak up against it on the 3Rivers Execuative Committee.   But even I did not foresee all the negative consequences that would befall the entire state because of it.   3Rivers determined the TCYSA position, which coupled with the SpokaneYSA and Yakima YSA got the District to support to support the PDL proposal.  The PDL proposal passed at the WSYSA state board by a single vote, that of the District Six Commissioner.

So I blame myself in many ways for not being persuasive enough, for not having the breadth of imagination to foresee all the negative consequences (although I spoke about many of them), for not being able to get 3Rivers to vote in the opposite way.  If it had, it is very unlikely that District Six would have supported the PDL.   The PDL would not have been formed.    We might have had reforms in the Premier leagues, but the RCL would not be in existence.   The number of teams in USCS in this state would be half, or less.

Is simply trying to prevent evil enough to keep a clean soul, or does one have to succeed?

[SoccerFlicks]

Is simply trying to prevent evil enough to keep a clean soul, or does one have to succeed?

There is no such thing as evil or even martyrdom in WSYS, so snap yourself back into shape and fall in line with one of the divisions!

BTW, my boys got their nifty WSYS Div 1, 2nd place medals yesterday delivered in a white cardboard box, passed off from one person to the next until it finally reached the team.  Wahoo, this was extra special and took six months to deliver after three months of games!  Way to go!

[Edson Arantes]

Back when the PDL was being formed, the Big Club DoCs needed the District Six vote to have the WSYSA OK the proposal.   Three Rivers was invited in, with the expectation that they could help sway the District Six vote.  I was the only voice to speak up against it on the 3Rivers Execuative Committee.   But even I did not foresee all the negative consequences that would befall the entire state because of it.   3Rivers determined the TCYSA position, which coupled with the SpokaneYSA and Yakima YSA got the District to support to support the PDL proposal.  The PDL proposal passed at the WSYSA state board by a single vote, that of the District Six Commissioner.

Is simply trying to prevent evil enough to keep a clean soul, or does one have to succeed?

EW, I'll disagree with you on the genesis of the troubles, although your example may have presented a ray of light to Andreassen, enough to spur him to circumvent the established procedures (so that lets you off the hook! ). I think that it was the "Consitutional Convention", and the change in governing procedures that took the District Commissioners out of the legislative process that led to this mess. It is possible that some of the PDL clubs would have left to form their own league outside of WSYSA ( although there were minor rumblings at the time, I don't know if the premier clubs would have had the stones and ability to go out that far, say USCS, on their own, away from their historical association), but they got what they wanted competitively anyway by whispering it.

My thoughts are that far too many (nearly all) of the Commissioners and Association presidents got caught not fully reading and processing the potential damage that could be wrought from putting the power in the hands of the few. It would have been worth it for them to consult with a attorney who could have guided them through the potential consequences.

The current cabal on the WYS governing board have no consequences within WYS really for their actions. Which leaves the consequence of leaving and aligning with USCS  on of the few remaining options for those disenchanted with the actions of the cabal.  (Then again, perhaps the concept of more competition between youth soccer bodies for the resources might and providing more options for youth soccer players helps players and families find close to what they best meets their needs). And when the cabal is threatened, they will threaten  using they self serving interpretation of "the law" and hope that those that are threatening to leave won't have the legal resources to fight them. (Which may be why they have so many attorneys on the board now)

Perhaps the corallary lesson is from nature, that when boundaries (or predators) are removed, that invasive species will rush in and flourish until they meet competing species, where they fight over little sections of turf until balance is achieved. With the boundaries removed for WYS, they've sought to dominate without consensus, and for survival some of the clubs have looked to ally elsewhere for survival.

[EEmery]

I'm a rookie here on the board, and have nothing to share at this time.  

As we wait for next week's TPCJSA meeting, at which I am told we will discuss some letter about me that was sent to other members of the TPCJSA (but not to me), I have three questions.

1).  Is there a maximum post size limit for this board (it is not discussed in the FAQs)?

2).  Can you add attachments (.pdf files)?

3).  Since TPCJSA received an extension from WYS and now has until 6/17 to respond, and other associations may not have received extensions,  have other associations already had meetings in response to the alleged "six other letters that were sent" and what actions have been taken elsewhere in the state?

Thanks

Eric Emery
Coach, BU14 Fircrest Falcons
USSF Referee
Board member, several organizations including my homeowners' association

[EWSoccer64]

Welcome, EEmery.
1)  There is no maximum post size limit, but after a certain length, I find it hard and annoying to write here.

2)   You cannot attach PDFs,  You can try to copy and paste, it may work.   You can also post links.

3)  No one else has come forward with the names and positions of the perputed other six individuals who have been "attacked" by El Presidente.  So no information has been made public.

4)  Please be aware that the WSYSA has certain rules (that can only be violated freely by those in power) regarding publication of correspondence to those whom it was not addressed, and to information that might cast the WSYSA or its officers in a bad light.   That is one of the advantages of having anonymous - or nearly so for plausible deniability - names on this forum.    Please be further aware that people in Tukwila read what is posted here regularly, even if they do not respond openly.
For instance, a certain letter sent recently to the TPCJSA from WSYSA has been reposted on this website a couple of times by link and by copy and paste.  It reportedly prompted certain people in Tukwila to try to track down the "leak".

5)  One way that political dissidents have been persecuted by the WSYSA over time has been the issueing of "Indefinate suspension" (aka Banned For Life").   Under USSF rules, when issued out by one youth soccer organization for more than six months, these bannishments are upheld by other youth soccer organizations.

6)  The usage of the Private Message feature to pass along information confidentially is of great use.

I'm a rookie here on the board, and have nothing to share at this time.  

As we wait for next week's TPCJSA meeting, at which I am told we will discuss some letter about me that was sent to other members of the TPCJSA (but not to me), I have three questions.

1).  Is there a maximum post size limit for this board (it is not discussed in the FAQs)?

2).  Can you add attachments (.pdf files)?

3).  Since TPCJSA received an extension from WYS and now has until 6/17 to respond, and other associations may not have received extensions,  have other associations already had meetings in response to the alleged "six other letters that were sent" and what actions have been taken elsewhere in the state?

Thanks

Eric Emery
Coach, BU14 Fircrest Falcons
USSF Referee
Board member, several organizations including my homeowners' association

[Futsal]

Welcome, EEmery.

5)  One way that political dissidents have been persecuted by the WSYSA over time has been the issueing of "Indefinate suspension" (aka Banned For Life").   Under USSF rules, when issued out by one youth soccer organization for more than six months, these bannishments are upheld by other youth soccer organizations.

Any decision will need to be sent to USSF per By-Law 241 before it has to be recognized by all members of the Federation.

Suspensions and other disciplinary actions taken by Members of the Federation shall be recognized by the Federation and all other Federation Members upon proper notification to the Federation and determination by the Federation that the party subject to the action received hearing and procedural rights substantially similar to those set forth in these bylaws.

[Soccer Wonk]

Back when the PDL was being formed, the Big Club DoCs needed the District Six vote to have the WSYSA OK the proposal.   Three Rivers was invited in, with the expectation that they could help sway the District Six vote.  I was the only voice to speak up against it on the 3Rivers Execuative Committee.   But even I did not foresee all the negative consequences that would befall the entire state because of it.   3Rivers determined the TCYSA position, which coupled with the SpokaneYSA and Yakima YSA got the District to support to support the PDL proposal.  The PDL proposal passed at the WSYSA state board by a single vote, that of the District Six Commissioner.

So I blame myself in many ways for not being persuasive enough, for not having the breadth of imagination to foresee all the negative consequences (although I spoke about many of them), for not being able to get 3Rivers to vote in the opposite way.  If it had, it is very unlikely that District Six would have supported the PDL.   The PDL would not have been formed.    We might have had reforms in the Premier leagues, but the RCL would not be in existence.   The number of teams in USCS in this state would be half, or less.

Is simply trying to prevent evil enough to keep a clean soul, or does one have to succeed?

I don't think anyone could have forseen just how quickly and effectively the ruling DoCs would take sweeping decisions behind closed doors, including expanding the PDL to all ages and removing the limits on the number of teams in the league. These had major repercussions and all were made behind closed doors, by the DoCs of the clubs that benefitted from them.

Now that documents have been released giving insight into the mindset of the players, and given events in Oregon, I'm quite sure that the Big Six clubs who were behind the original PDL proposal would have bolted. The WSYSA regime/structure at the time would have been unable to react decisively. And the landscape today would be fractured -- just in a different way.

[2 CENTS]

Back when the PDL was being formed, the Big Club DoCs needed the District Six vote to have the WSYSA OK the proposal.   Three Rivers was invited in, with the expectation that they could help sway the District Six vote.  I was the only voice to speak up against it on the 3Rivers Execuative Committee.   But even I did not foresee all the negative consequences that would befall the entire state because of it.   3Rivers determined the TCYSA position, which coupled with the SpokaneYSA and Yakima YSA got the District to support to support the PDL proposal.  The PDL proposal passed at the WSYSA state board by a single vote, that of the District Six Commissioner.

So I blame myself in many ways for not being persuasive enough, for not having the breadth of imagination to foresee all the negative consequences (although I spoke about many of them), for not being able to get 3Rivers to vote in the opposite way.  If it had, it is very unlikely that District Six would have supported the PDL.   The PDL would not have been formed.    We might have had reforms in the Premier leagues, but the RCL would not be in existence.   The number of teams in USCS in this state would be half, or less.

Is simply trying to prevent evil enough to keep a clean soul, or does one have to succeed?

I don't think anyone could have forseen just how quickly and effectively the ruling DoCs would take sweeping decisions behind closed doors, including expanding the PDL to all ages and removing the limits on the number of teams in the league. These had major repercussions and all were made behind closed doors, by the DoCs of the clubs that benefitted from them.

Now that documents have been released giving insight into the mindset of the players, and given events in Oregon, I'm quite sure that the Big Six clubs who were behind the original PDL proposal would have bolted. The WSYSA regime/structure at the time would have been unable to react decisively. And the landscape today would be fractured -- just in a different way.

Allowing the big six and possible a few other PDL  Me- too's to bolt would have led to a much better result for Wys. instead they chose to let the GREED virus infect the entire organization causing fractures in almost every association.  Wys would have only lost a small portion of the membership  with the ability to rebuild the top level from the ground up, quickly replacing Bernie and his cronies.

Now we have stooges running around the state threatening  people and trying to re-write history to protect turf.  In regards to developing soccer players,  All we have proven is-- really big clubs win.

The small clubs only choice for survival with the cabal in place is to move on ...

Rule #1.) ALL DOC'S MUST BE PAID

[EEmery]

Welcome, EEmery.


4)  Please be aware that the WSYSA has certain rules (that can only be violated freely by those in power) regarding publication of correspondence to those whom it was not addressed, and to information that might cast the WSYSA or its officers in a bad light.   That is one of the advantages of having anonymous - or nearly so for plausible deniability - names on this forum.    Please be further aware that people in Tukwila read what is posted here regularly, even if they do not respond openly.
For instance, a certain letter sent recently to the TPCJSA from WSYSA has been reposted on this website a couple of times by link and by copy and paste.  It reportedly prompted certain people in Tukwila to try to track down the "leak".

--------------------

I have not received any non "press release" correspondence from WSYSA.  None.

No complaint, no concerns, no "straighten up and fly right", no invitation to a hearing.  No e-mails and no phone calls.

The document was sent to the other members of the TPCJSA board, but not to me.  All coaches and board members of Fircrest Soccer were sent a copy of the first two pages of the letter, ending with Mr. Andreassen's signature, by someone outside of TPCJSA and District 3... so I have seen it.  I do not know if there was a page three that would have included a distribution list for the document.

If TPCJSA were to take the directed action, to what soccer body would I appeal?  WYS skipped all of the procedures that the old handbook and new policies show are in place for resolving an ethics complaint, and has moved forward to directing a member association to eliminate the secretary it reelected in March, "or else", over a decision made by two clubs in June 2010 to form a local league for recreational U7 and U8 players.  These clubs asked for permission to affiliate the teams with TPCJSA and WSYSA and then locally administer the league, and were told they could not do this. 

The clubs did this in response to complaints over many years about the way TPCJSA scheduled young teams, and the clubs decided that the proper fiduciary response to the parents' concerns was to administer their own league if TPCJSA refused to make meaningful changes to the way it scheduled teams. The clubs tried to affiliate through WSYSA and were told that if they did then the teams would be placed in TPCJSA leagues. 

The clubs turned to a non-USYSA, USSF affiliate to register the teams and provide proper insurance for coaches and players.

My role in this was to ask the scheduling questions of the TPCJSA games chair while serving as the Fircrest Games Chair, AND to report the actions taken by my club to TPCJSA while giving the Fircrest Club Report at TPCJSA meetings as the Fircrest Club Representative.

In June 2010 I announced that FSC and UPSC were going to form and run their own league for U7 and U8.  There were no questions.

In August 2010 I endured an hour of badgering by multiple representatives of Harbor Soccer Club.  When asked about insurance, I responded that the players would all be registered and insured with USSF througn USCS.  At no point did I speak on this matter as Secretary, at no point did I recruit anyone to join USCS.  I do not know anyone in the USCS organization and do not benefit from anyone playing with USCS.

No one contacted TPCJSA with an ethics concern.

At the end of my 2010-2011 board terms as Fircrest Club Rep and Games Chair I asked that someone else be our voice at TPCJSA, and Fircrest elected Joe Peairs.  I am also transitioning out of being Fircrest's Games Chair so that someone else can be the voice of Fircrest for scheduling.

Theae actions mean that this year my only role at TPCJSA is that of Secretary.  At least until next week's meeting.

I hope that someone in Federal Way does read this board, remembers that the Ethics Code is intended as a supplement to good judgment, and decides that the actions I have already taken are sufficient remedy to perceptions that I have spoken or will speak out of turn in an official capacity while serving as TPCJSA Secretary.


Eric Emery
Coach, BU14 Fircrest Falcons
USSF Referee
Board member, several organizations including my homeowners' association

[EWSoccer64]

>>>Allowing the big six and possible a few other PDL  Me- too's to bolt would have led to a much better result for Wys. instead they chose to let the GREED virus infect the entire organization causing fractures in almost every association.  Wys would have only lost a small portion of the membership  with the ability to rebuild the top level from the ground up, quickly replacing Bernie and his cronies.

Now we have stooges running around the state threatening  people and trying to re-write history to protect turf.  In regards to developing soccer players,  All we have proven is-- really big clubs win.

The small clubs only choice for survival with the cabal in place is to move on ...

Rule #1.) ALL DOC'S MUST BE PAID

I am not so sure that all the Big Six would have bolted. 
#1 - Eastside (as letters later revealed) was not so hot to leave the WSYSA and venture forth into the wilderness.
#2 - Crossfire Premier would have had to have taken all of LWYSA with them or go through the legal steps to seperate. 
#3 - Some of the Big Clubs would have been very vulnerable to losing their fields, at least in part.
#4 - The Players going into the Puget Sound version of the OPL would have lost the ability to go into ODP - which was more important then than it is now.   Losing their ODP players, even half of them, would have been a serious blow to the Big Six and would have strengthened the teams and clubs they went to.  The Big Clubs understood this, even if many underestimated the pull of ODP despite their using it as a recruiting tool in the past.
#5 - Some among the Big Clubs would have recognized this as a chance to supplant Crossfire as the Biggest Dog on the Block.  Imagine if EFC had been the only one among the Big Four that stayed in WSYSA, and then got most of the kids who wanted to stay in ODP instead of wandering off into the never never land of ID2.   Certainly some people at EFC imagined that.
#6 - Some of the tag-alongs, like FWU would have gone over to USCS too.   But they would risk being undercut and having their feeder programs withdrawn to an even greater extent than the Big Clubs.  And they would be losing the opportunity to replace the Big Clubs in WSYSA.
#7 - Regionals and State Championships.  The real value of State Championships is entry to Regionals.  No one (except people in S'flicks mindset) think much of USCS Regionals.  They certainly do not compare to Region IV regionals.  I'll use EFC as an example again.  If I am EFC, and see a chance to consistently win a quarter to a half of the state championships, and get the players from USCS clubs who want to play ODP, then I am thinking of Regional glory for the club if I stick with WSYSA.

But even if all the Big Six went and then a Little Six joined them, the WSYSA would be in better shape than it is now.

[Soccer Wonk]

In retrospect, a sound analysis, even though the document presented to the WYS commissioners in January 2006 presented a unified front, and indicated that multiple "tier two" clubs were also ready to join.

[EWSoccer64]

In retrospect, a sound analysis, even though the document presented to the WYS commissioners in January 2006 presented a unified front, and indicated that multiple "tier two" clubs were also ready to join.

Everyone presents a brash front.  Back channel communications, and understanding that the DoCs normally do not make these decisions on behalf of properly run clubs, would have been valuable information, and was probably understood by many on the state board.   For instance, out of the 3 PDL clubs in Eastern Washington, I believe that none of the 3 would have gone to USCS, even the Spokane Shadow.  It would have destroyed the Shadow's base, and they knew that the valley clubs would strive to replace them.

Remember, this was a proposal based on self interest by the Big Clubs, not on any "what is good for development of the players".   As such, when a club saw that it's best interest was having other clubs go off into the wilderness while it stayed inside of civilization, rational self interest would have them encouraging their rivals to go off into the wilderness while they stayed inside of civliized society where they could fill the vaccum.

[2 CENTS]

Welcome, EEmery.


4)  Please be aware that the WSYSA has certain rules (that can only be violated freely by those in power) regarding publication of correspondence to those whom it was not addressed, and to information that might cast the WSYSA or its officers in a bad light.   That is one of the advantages of having anonymous - or nearly so for plausible deniability - names on this forum.    Please be further aware that people in Tukwila read what is posted here regularly, even if they do not respond openly.
For instance, a certain letter sent recently to the TPCJSA from WSYSA has been reposted on this website a couple of times by link and by copy and paste.  It reportedly prompted certain people in Tukwila to try to track down the "leak".

--------------------

I have not received any non "press release" correspondence from WSYSA.  None.

No complaint, no concerns, no "straighten up and fly right", no invitation to a hearing.  No e-mails and no phone calls.

The document was sent to the other members of the TPCJSA board, but not to me.  All coaches and board members of Fircrest Soccer were sent a copy of the first two pages of the letter, ending with Mr. Andreassen's signature, by someone outside of TPCJSA and District 3... so I have seen it.  I do not know if there was a page three that would have included a distribution list for the document.

If TPCJSA were to take the directed action, to what soccer body would I appeal?  WYS skipped all of the procedures that the old handbook and new policies show are in place for resolving an ethics complaint, and has moved forward to directing a member association to eliminate the secretary it reelected in March, "or else", over a decision made by two clubs in June 2010 to form a local league for recreational U7 and U8 players.  These clubs asked for permission to affiliate the teams with TPCJSA and WSYSA and then locally administer the league, and were told they could not do this. 

The clubs did this in response to complaints over many years about the way TPCJSA scheduled young teams, and the clubs decided that the proper fiduciary response to the parents' concerns was to administer their own league if TPCJSA refused to make meaningful changes to the way it scheduled teams. The clubs tried to affiliate through WSYSA and were told that if they did then the teams would be placed in TPCJSA leagues. 

The clubs turned to a non-USYSA, USSF affiliate to register the teams and provide proper insurance for coaches and players.

My role in this was to ask the scheduling questions of the TPCJSA games chair while serving as the Fircrest Games Chair, AND to report the actions taken by my club to TPCJSA while giving the Fircrest Club Report at TPCJSA meetings as the Fircrest Club Representative.

In June 2010 I announced that FSC and UPSC were going to form and run their own league for U7 and U8.  There were no questions.

In August 2010 I endured an hour of badgering by multiple representatives of Harbor Soccer Club.  When asked about insurance, I responded that the players would all be registered and insured with USSF througn USCS.  At no point did I speak on this matter as Secretary, at no point did I recruit anyone to join USCS.  I do not know anyone in the USCS organization and do not benefit from anyone playing with USCS.

No one contacted TPCJSA with an ethics concern.

At the end of my 2010-2011 board terms as Fircrest Club Rep and Games Chair I asked that someone else be our voice at TPCJSA, and Fircrest elected Joe Peairs.  I am also transitioning out of being Fircrest's Games Chair so that someone else can be the voice of Fircrest for scheduling.

Theae actions mean that this year my only role at TPCJSA is that of Secretary.  At least until next week's meeting.

I hope that someone in Federal Way does read this board, remembers that the Ethics Code is intended as a supplement to good judgment, and decides that the actions I have already taken are sufficient remedy to perceptions that I have spoken or will speak out of turn in an official capacity while serving as TPCJSA Secretary.


Eric Emery
Coach, BU14 Fircrest Falcons
USSF Referee
Board member, several organizations including my homeowners' association

Eric Emery,

Has anybody apologized yet?