Note from the President: Welcome to the Spring Season - Sideline Behavior and Registration
Evansville Soccer Club
Dear Soccer Families,
Welcome to the spring season!
As we open the season, I’d like to address a stark reality we’re witnessing in youth soccer across the state: unacceptable sideline behavior. Every one of us involved in youth soccer – coaches, players, referees, parents and spectators – face the urgent need to address how we treat each other and our opponents on and off the field. In Evansville, our club’s number one priority is to provide a fun, safe and rewarding soccer experience for everyone.
Unfortunately, we continue to see too many examples of unsportsmanlike behavior, not only in other towns from other teams, but right here in our club. I’d like to provide you with helpful information here so we can all work together to create a positive soccer environment in our club.
Please take a few minutes now to review the MAYSA Code of Conduct, Recommendations for Sideline Behavior and helpful videos below.
MAYSA Code of Conduct - players, parents, spectators and coaches all must be aware of the Code of Conduct, especially the 'No Tolerance Rule' regarding referee abuse. We need referees to be able to play the game. In most case, referees are learning alongside the players. This is a very challenging and courageous endeavor. To put it bluntly, many of our young referees have quit due to the abuse received from coaches and parents on the sidelines. Please be respectful of them.
Please review the MAYSA Recommendations for Sideline Behavior for Coaches and Spectators before our first games.
If video is your thing, here is one of my favorites (in two parts) produced by Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association. Please share with your family and friends.
Attitudes are Contagious Part I
Attitudes are Contagious Part II
Spirit of Play- the heart and soul of soccer.
As a final reminder, please remember that this is supposed to be a fun experience for all participants. I’m asking you to lead by example and maintain a positive perspective to model the supportive behavior we need on the sidelines, regardless of the score, referee call, play on the field or player substitution.
Youth soccer is a game for the kids. The Evansville program is built for all of our youth players, not just the most talented. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for every child to play soccer – from the newest recreational player to the strongest classic player, and we do that.
Evansville has become one of the more successful small town clubs in the state of Wisconsin. We need to work together to continue building our club. As president of the board, I can assure you that every decision we make at the board level is based in our commitment to doing what is best for our kids.
The board meets monthly, on the second Monday, at 6:30 pm, at Creekside Place. At the beginning of each meeting we hold an open forum to encourage parents, coaches and board members to communicate openly. I invite you to attend our meetings to share your ideas with the board, or simply to see what’s going on.
Thank you for supporting your child’s interest in soccer. Please consider volunteering to help strengthen the club. At the moment, we need volunteers to staff the July 4 Run/Walk, youth coaches for the 2015-16 season and board members to fill vacant positions. Please feel free to contact me directly at anytime if you have a question, a suggestion or would like to help out.
Lastly, I'm proud to announce that today we opened registration for the 2015-16 playing season. We are opening registration earlier in the year as part of our continued effort to roster teams more effectively. Please register for next year now on our website at www.evansvillesoccer.org (click the red registration button).
Wishing you all a fun and successful spring season!
Keep Kickin’,
Scott