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This season has been a transition period for the SCYSA. Changes at the board level combined with the decision not to replace our Executive Director for the year certainly added to the already large task of organizing and maintaining the various divisions in our league. Also, the demographics have changed to such an extent that the Sunshine Coast is one of the lowest percentage ranking communities with youth below the age of 15 in the province. Yet, even with a decline in student population, the SCYSA had 1,256 youth from all areas of the Sunshine Coast registered to play the game. Supporting 81 house league and 10 representative teams the SCYSA has provided some excellent opportunities for our youth to learn, play and enjoy the game of soccer.
This year we started off by immediately putting in place a Head Coach. Ken Campbell initiated his duties by commencing with the three lower age groups. A skills training guide was put together with a five week cycle. The objective was to generate a common platform for all coaches to follow. This would result in a goal of the young players gaining more opportunities to have their foot on the ball, a strategy that has proven to gain retention in the game through the child having fun. A library of videos was also reviewed by many of our more experienced coaches and now these videos reside at the Gibsons and Sechelt public libraries. Ken has now completed his B License and over the break of play he will be developing more programs for our coaches. He will gain further insight into how to deliver well structured programs as he works along side Drew Ferguson, Head Coach, Canadian Men's National Para Soccer Team and Sam Lenarduzzi, Community Soccer Systems Manager, Vancouver Whitecaps FC during the off season as both are offering camps on the Sunshine Coast.
Our representative teams have had another exciting year. Teams from U11 to U17 continue to excel with many players now having progressed through the league from the early ages. Over the break the board will review such things as coach appointments, travel costs and its commitment to providing kit. On behalf of the SCYSA, I want to express thanks to the commitment and integrity of the players and the pride they bring to the Sunshine Coast and the reflection it has on them. And to the coaches, parents and other volunteers that give so much to these players. The house league also has much to be proud of as these players of over 1,000 youth strong compete amongst each other on the field and share common ground in many other areas. Supported by coaches and parents and providing a great opportunity for those who want to learn more about the game through refereeing, our association is truly blessed with giving people.
Earlier this year, the SCYSA was invited to attend a meeting hosted by Kerry Mahlman of SD46 to hear of a vision put forward to establish a soccer academy on the Sunshine Coast. This fits well with some of the long term strategies of the SCYSA and further strengthens the need for an artificial turf field in our community. During the off season, the SCYSA will diligently work to determine how to gain more support from the broad base of the community. In addition to this, the SCYSA will provide support to add a new league of soccer to the Sunshine Coast, U21 for both men and women divisions. This increase in organized soccer is estimated to bring more than 6,000 citizens of the Sunshine Coast in direct contact with the sport. This includes parents, volunteers of the SCYSA as well as the men and women leagues.
This year started with the skilled administrative hand of Laurie Miller. Her tenacity, commitment and passion have always put the association in good stead. Laurie needed to give more time to her vocation and at the end of September 2009 she resigned from her duties with the SCYSA; however, she has been a support throughout the year when called upon. We miss Laurie at the helm and because of her strong organizational skills; she left us with a solid foundation.
As we prepare for the 2010/2011 season, the board will be moving to a governance model and away from a management model. The reason for this is two fold. Firstly, we have spent this past year understanding more about the daily needs of the association and how we can break things down into smaller duties. This strategy will provide more opportunities for the membership to get involved with the association with defined start and finish points. The second reason is so the board can focus on longer term plans, such as field improvements, player development programs and coaching clinics as examples. The incoming board will be set with the task of establishing a 5 year plan that will engage not only the soccer membership but the community at large. At the student level, the SCYSA represents almost 30% of the school districts registration and when combining the parents and the adult soccer leagues more than 20% of the Sunshine Coast community has an affiliation to the game. Building on the relationship that the SCYSA has with the Sunshine Coast Central Baseball League, the board will look to other organizations to determine strategies on how we can support each other with a goal of gaining more services for our combined memberships.
In closing, it is sad to have to say goodbye to Reg Thomas. He fought a long and hard game and he left with courage and grace. The last few months of his time with us were nothing short of amazing. As he dealt with his illness he continued to keep planning. It certainly was great to see his commitment that the upper field at Chatelech Secondary School got off the ground while he was still here to witness it. I am sure that he is looking down on us and pleased that we are playing the game! We cherish his memory and are inspired by his life. With his leadership we will complete the upper field and move on starting the lower field project. The SCYSA will chair a steering a committee to establish the Sunshine Coast Arts and Recreation Foundation. This new body will have a mandate to fundraise for capital assets that increase access for youth in the areas of Arts and Recreation.
It has been my distinct pleasure to be part of the SCYSA and work with so many dedicated volunteers. I believe we are an organization on the Sunshine Coast that has a lot to offer to the community at large and our youth in particular.
Kindest regards,
Norm Blair, President
SCYSA |