ANNOUNCEMENTS
MYSA Field Work Day 20 March, 2010 9 am to 1 pm **parents only please - fields are very wet** MYSA Parents,
On Saturday, we will be holding our Field Work Day at both Cheat Lake and Laurel Point. We will begin at 9:00 am and go to around 1:00 pm. We would ask you to try and commit to giving us 2 hours but will take whatever you can.
Considering how the fields are extremely wet, the main thing we need to worry about is getting the fields lined, goals put into place and nets put on to goals if needed.
The Laurel Point Fields are going to need the most help as all the goals have had their nets taken off. If you can help out at those fields and would happen to have a small step ladder, please bring that with you. We will need people throughout the day so if you could please send me an email on what time and field you can join us at I would appreciate it.
I believe there were some parents that thought this was a time for the kids to all come out and play but that is not the case. While normally we would encourage the kids to come out and kick the ball around while the parents do some work, I believe we should discourage that this year. The fields are still pretty wet and we don’t want to do anything to tear them up before we start the season.
Please come out and join us if you can.
Rob Wolfe
MYSA President
**Spring Soccer Update** 11 March, 2010 The Spring Soccer Season is right around the corner. The coaches meeting was held last Saturday. We have asked all the coaches to contact their teams by Wednesday, March 17th. If on the 18th you still haven’t heard from your coach please send us a message. (coaching@monsoccer.org) The fields at Cheat Lake this year are going to be more crowded than ever. You must follow the parking/traffic patterns at the fields. They are in place so that an emergency vehicle can get through easily. There is plenty of parking at the top of the hill. I know many worry about walking down the hill because of the cars but if we all police those that are going too fast, we can make it better. Nobody needs to be going that fast in that area. You are not going to get in trouble for being late. Let’s try and leave the bottom parking lot for Grandparents, Parents with small children and coaches that have equipment. We ask this every season but it never seems to work. We can do better parents. We are going to try and start practices the week of March 22nd for U8 – U14. The U6’s will begin Monday, April 5th. We will be having our Field Work Day on Saturday, March 20th for both fields. On this day we will be cleaning up around the fields, lining fields, filling holes and putting nets on goals. We ask all that can to come out and help us get the fields ready for the upcoming season. Please watch the website for additional announcements. Rob Wolfe president@monsoccer.org
Grade 9 Referee Training in Preston County. A message from the Preston County Soccer Club: I have a Grade 9 Ref class scheduled for March 27th at 9 am. I'm working on a location. If you know of anyone who would want to attend have them contact me ASAP. Beth Noss
President
Preston County Soccer Club prestoncountysoccer@yahoo.com
304-290-8435
MYSA Pre-Season Schedule
- Field Day (both locations) - Saturday March 20, generally start 9 or 10
- First week of practice - March 22
- First U6 Academy session - TBD - see times and days below.
- First weekend of games - April 10
U6 Academy Times:
LP - 6-7 on Mondays, 9-10 on Saturday
CL Early - 5:15-6:15 Monday, 9-10 on Saturday
CL Late - 6:30-7:30 Monday, 10:15-11:15 on Saturday
Slow Down! Please drive slow (10 mph) on the access roads at both the Laurel Point and the Cheat Lake fields. Speeding at Laurel Point aggravates a dust problem and is a danger to parents that walk the road for exercise. Speeding at Cheat Lake is dangerous to parents and children who need to walk down the hill to the fields from the school parking lot. Parking at Cheat Lake Please DO NOT park in the neighborhoods near the Cheat Lake Fields, including Meadow Brooke. All soccer parking should be in the lower lot near the fields, or the lot uphill at the Cheat Lake schools.
Weather Parents and coaches - check the Mon Soccer hotline (594-1939) for the latest information on field availability due to weather. Although soccer is played rain or shine, if the fields are too wet the fields will be closed to prevent injuries and field damage. If you are unsure if your team is practicing, contact your coach or team manager. If you see lightning, get off the fields! Inside your car is the safest place to wait out a thunderstorm. The pavilions at Cheat Lake and Laurel Point are not lightning-safe buildings. Stay off the fields for at least 20 minutes after the last visible lightning. At U6 and U8, it is usually best to just cancel the remainder of the practice or game. Mon Soccer Hotline Check the Mon Soccer hotline (304-594-1939) for the latest information on field availability due to weather. Although soccer is played rain or shine, if the fields are too wet the fields will be closed to prevent injuries and field damage. If you are unsure if your team is practicing, contact your coach or team manager. Clothing Youth soccer players should dress appropriately for the weather. When it is cold, it is recommended for the player to wear several layers, with the team jersey on top (for games). Sweat pants and long-sleeved shirts may be worn. Shin guards are always required, and must be covered by socks. Gloves or mittens may also be worn. Jewelry In general, no jewelry may be worn during play. Medical alert bracelets may be taped in place. Soft hair scrunchies are OK, but not hard hair clips or beads. Absolutely NO earrings are allowed, in practice or games. This is not an optional thing - earrings are illegal on the fields. Players who will not remove their earrings cannot practice or play, period. Earrings pose a hazard to both the child wearing them and to other children during soccer activities. Cleats Cleats are optional. Soccer cleats only – no baseball cleats may be worn. Shoes with a cleat at the front of the toes (baseball cleats) are illegal. You can cut the cleat off with a sharp knife, if you wish. Metal cleats are also illegal. No casts Hard casts and braces with metal showing are also banned, in rec soccer. Shinguards required Socks must cover the shinguards - this means that the shinguard must be put on first, and then the sock is put on over the shinguard. Pick-up Your Kids on Time Unfortunately, some registered sex offenders do live in the Morgantown area. If you do not remain at the fields for the entire practice or game, make sure to return before the end. If another parent will be taking your child home, make sure your coach is informed of this arrangement. No Abuse of Players, Coaches, or Officials Please note that MYSA has a strict zero tolerance policy, when it comes to abuse of players, coaches or officials. Any violation of this policy will result in removal from the fields and potential expulsion from MYSA. We are serious about this. If you register your child to play on our fields, we expect you to uphold and support this policy. We simply will not tolerate any negative comments on our fields regarding any aspect of the games taking place (especially any negative comments directed towards our referees). The goal is to make this as fun as possible for the kids, and to develop their soccer skills, team work, fair play, and self-esteem. Winning games is a very low priority. Cheat Lake Parking Information Please note that parking is strictly limited to clearly marked parking spots in the Cheat Lake School parking lots. Any vehicle parked in one of the neighboring subdivisions, or in an unmarked spot in the Cheat Lake School lots, may be towed at the owner's expense. The parking spots (especially in the lower lot) are laid out to ensure proper access to the fields by emergency vehicles, if necessary. Parking on the hill leading down to the lower fields is completely prohibited. No weapons, alcohol or tobacco products are allowed on the MYSA fields or any school property! Field Maps Field maps are posted at the entrance fence to the Cheat Lake fields, and in the pavilion at the Laurel Point fields. Dogs Generally, the soccer fields are not a good place to bring your dog. If you do bring your dog to the fields, it must be kept on leash by a person physically capable of restraining it, and you must clean up after it. MYSA has enacted a new dog policy due to several incidents this past year involving dogs. See www.monsoccer.org for the complete policy. Background Checks (Risk Management Program) ----------------------- All coaches must fill out the West Virginia Soccer Association Risk Management Application. The club to register under is Monongalia Youth Soccer. Link: https://www.youthleaguesusa.com/wvsa/08-09/RiskManagement.html If you can’t remember if you registered, click ‘I want to change some of my personal information on file in 2008/2009.’ You’ll be able to check your registration there if you have already entered it. Practices: ----------- Please send all practice time requests to Ben Chorpening (president@monsoccer.org), if you missed the coaches/team selection meeting. A draft schedule will be posted soon to allow for adjustments. If you are at Cheat Lake please choose either a 5:15-6:15 or 6:30-7:30 time Practices begin (weather permitting) the week of March 23. U6 Academy --------------- We are having two times at Cheat Lake: 5:15-6:15 and 6:30-7:30 Mondays; 9:00-10:00 and 10:15-11:15 Saturdays. If you have a preference, and missed the coaches meeting, please email president@monsoccer.org and indicate 5:15 or 6:30 preferred start time. At Laurel Point, the U6 Academy will meet 5:30-6:30 Mondays, and 9:00-10:00 Saturday mornings. Sessions begin (weather permitting) Monday, March 30. Equipment ------------- If you missed the meeting and need equipment, contact David Huckaby (coaching@monsoccer.org). Pictures --------- April 4 at Cheat Lake April 18 at Laurel Point
CLUB MYSA
We also want to emphasize that ALL of our players are members of our club, not just the players on your child's team. Cheer for ALL of our players. The goal of the league is to create a good environment where all of our children can have a great experience with the game of soccer, and all of us are responsible for achieving that goal for every child, no matter what team he or she is on. Cheer for and support players on both teams, and help all of the players have a good time on the fields, no matter what team they are on. This is recreational soccer, not the World Cup.
CHEAT LAKE PARKING INFORMATION
Please note that parking is strictly limited to clearly marked parking spots in the Cheat Lake School parking lots. Any vehicle parked in one of the neighboring subdivisions, or in an unmarked spot in the Cheat Lake School lots, will be towed at the owner's expense. The parking spots (especially in the lower lot) are laid out to ensure proper access to the fields by emergency vehicles, if necessary. Parking on the hill leading down to the lower fields is completely prohibited.
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO No alcohol or tobacco of any type is allowed on our playing fields or in the parking lots.
JERSEYS
Your child will receive a soccer jersey, prior to the first game (assuming the order comes back in time!). Your team can choose a color for shorts and socks. It doesn't matter much if players' shorts and socks don't match their teammates - as long as the referee can tell the teams apart, we're fine.
WATER PLEASE make sure that your child brings a full water bottle to all games and practices! Dehydration is a major problem for youth soccer players, especially in hot weather. Make sure that your child is
prepared. Sun screen is also a good idea, and make sure to have appropriate clothing, if it looks like rain. Coaches are not responsible for providing your child with water.
STAY OFF THE GOALS! Please make sure that your child does not climb on the goals. In particular, please make sure that they do not jump up and swing on the crossbar. Several children have been killed and seriously injured, in recent years (none in WV, thank goodness), when they were hit by a goal that fell forward onto them. We do our best to anchor the goals down, but they get moved around and sometimes get left with no anchor or weight on the back. Please help us to ensure that our children are as safe as possible.
WEATHER AND CANCELLATIONS
Soccer is played in the rain! However, we do occasionally have to cancel games and practices, in order to protect the fields, or when fields become unplayable due to standing water (the Cheat Lake fields, in particular, do not drain well, and standing water can be a problem, even a day after a heavy rain). All delays, postponments and cancellations are first posted on the MYSA hotline (304-594-1939) and then on the web page ( http://www.monsoccer.org ). If the weather is looking bad, please check these, or call your coach. Coaches may cancel practices, even if the league has kept the fields open, so always talk to your coach, if you are ever in doubt. As a league, we are more likely to
cancel practices than games, as we want to ensure that our fields are kept in the best condition possible, and practicing on wet fields can do a lot of damage. However, we do our best to let games go on, even if the weather is wet and raining. Like we said, soccer is played in the rain! Just make sure your child is dressed appropriately and that you have the necessary supplies (towels, change of clothes, etc.). In the case of lightning, all practices and games must be immediately stopped and everyone must leave the fields. Please note that the pavilions are NOT lightning safe facilities! At least 20 minutes must pass without any lightning strikes, before games and practices can resume.
ANY QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact me anytime president@monsoccer.org ). We look forward to a fun season, and we greatly appreciate everyone being flexible and helping us to provide our children with a great soccer experience.
See you on the fields! :)
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