Directors arrive in Toronto for CSA meetings

[loyola]

News

Friday, January 18, 2008

Directors arrive in Toronto for Association meetings

The Canadian Soccer Association has landed in Toronto this weekend for a series of meetings to help develop the game in Canada. Top-level meetings on Friday and Saturday are aimed at developing the Association's new strategic framework. The two-day workshop will be followed by a Board of Directors Meeting and Special General Meeting on Sunday.

The strategic plan will be the Canadian Soccer Association's new blueprint for the next five years. The plan in development will receive significant discussion over the next several months leading up to the Annual General Meeting in St. John's, NL. Sunday's agenda for the Special General Meeting includes the final approval for the 2008 budget.

The Canadian Soccer Association, in partnership with its members and all its corporate partners, is dedicated to the growth and development of soccer for all Canadians at all levels. The Canadian Soccer Association is also dedicated to providing leadership and good governance for the sport. The Canadian Soccer Association's goals include providing opportunities to all members from participation at the grassroots level to the FIFA World Cups, encouraging positive values in all aspects of the sport, and being recognised as a major player in the sport.

[VPjr]

so....the CSA holds meetings this weekend. People are quite anxious to know what came of these meetings. There was lots of speculation about how much registration fees would be going up for 2008. The membership is quite anxious to know how much of a hit the CSA will impose on them.

Instead of taking the opportunity to be open and transparent, this is the press release that just came out:

For Immediate Release -

Canadian Soccer Association wraps up weekend meetings

The Canadian Soccer Associated has concluded its weekend meetings which ran 18-20 January in Toronto, ON. The highlight of the weekend was a series of strategic planning sessions that ran on Friday and Saturday involving top-level national and provincial members. The weekend also featured a Board of Directors meeting and a Special General Meeting.

Once completed the strategic plan will be the Canadian Soccer Association's new blueprint for the next five years. The plan will receive significant discussion over the next several months leading up to the Annual General Meeting being held in St. John's, NL, in early May.

On Sunday, the Special General Meeting was held to approve the Canadian Soccer Association's budget for 2008. The meetings had full representation from all the provincial and territorial members. Mr Ryan Fequet, the newly-appointed President of the Northwest Territories, took part in his first Board of Directors meeting.

National-team representatives Amy Walsh and Chris Pozniak were also on hand for the Special General Meeting. Walsh missed the women's national team's recent trip to China for the Four Nations Tournament because of an injury. Pozniak, meanwhile, is presently heading to Florida for the men's national team's first training camp of the 2008 season.

The Canadian Soccer Association's next series of meetings are scheduled for the weekend of 14-16 March in Ottawa, ON. These meetings will include both an Executive Committee as well as a Board of Directors meeting.

The Canadian Soccer Association, in partnership with its members and all its corporate partners, is dedicated to the growth and development of soccer for all Canadians at all levels. The Canadian Soccer Association is also dedicated to providing leadership and good governance for the sport. The Canadian Soccer Association's goals include providing opportunities to all members from participation at the grassroots level to the FIFA World Cups, encouraging positive values in all aspects of the sport, and being recognised as a major player in the sport.

[SthMelbRed]

quote:Originally posted by VPjr

The plan will receive significant discussion over the next several months leading up to the Annual General Meeting being held in St. John's, NL, in early May.

Is this a true general meeting in the sense that any and all stakeholders have a right to attend? If so, that would present the best possible time to show unanimous displeasure with the CSA. As an overseas resident, I wouldn't be in a position to attend, but perhaps a Voyageurs' national convention of sorts could be organised to coincide with the AGM where the heat could well and truly be turned up on the idiots at the CSA. It's difficult, though, as I'm sure many dedicated Voyageurs nationwide are looking at dedicating funds towards attending the upcoming WCQs so it wouldn't be easy for many to get to St. John's. I wouldn't doubt that being a factor in deciding to stage the AGM there, rather than TO, Vancouver, or Montreal, where a massive opposition presence could easily be mobilised.

[Cheeta]

Poz is the MNT rep?

[jonovision]

quote:Originally posted by Cheeta

Poz is the MNT rep?

Why not?

[Soju]

^ Because he's not a starter?

[Soju]

^ Because he's not a starter?

[Richard]

^ So what?

[Richard]

^ So what?

[jonovision]

quote:Originally posted by Soju

^ Because he's not a starter?

A good point, maybe. But look at it this way, who else would you choose? I think it is fairly obvious that since this position involves attending meetings, it would need to be a NA-based player.

Here are the North American based players who played more minutes for Canada in 2007 than Poz: Dwayne, Jazic, Nash, Onstad and Sutton (source).

I think Nash and Onstad are not long for the MNT, Dwayne already was involved with the coach search and probably shouldn't be wearing any more hats, while Jazic and Sutton are no more integral to the squad than Poz. He also had the advantage of being in Toronto, until recently.

Chris has the same number of caps as Jazic, and twice as many as Sutton.

[jonovision]

quote:Originally posted by Soju

^ Because he's not a starter?

A good point, maybe. But look at it this way, who else would you choose? I think it is fairly obvious that since this position involves attending meetings, it would need to be a NA-based player.

Here are the North American based players who played more minutes for Canada in 2007 than Poz: Dwayne, Jazic, Nash, Onstad and Sutton (source).

I think Nash and Onstad are not long for the MNT, Dwayne already was involved with the coach search and probably shouldn't be wearing any more hats, while Jazic and Sutton are no more integral to the squad than Poz. He also had the advantage of being in Toronto, until recently.

Chris has the same number of caps as Jazic, and twice as many as Sutton.

[Cheeta]

Okay, okay. Poz is the rep.

I was just asking because I'd never heard of this before. Makes sense that a player who used to be based in Toronto would be the rep.

[Cheeta]

Okay, okay. Poz is the rep.

I was just asking because I'd never heard of this before. Makes sense that a player who used to be based in Toronto would be the rep.

[Free kick]

quote:Originally posted by VPjr

On Sunday, the Special General Meeting was held to approve the Canadian Soccer Association's budget for 2008. The meetings had full representation from all the provincial and territorial members. Mr Ryan Fequet, the newly-appointed President of the Northwest Territories, took part in his first Board of Directors meeting.

NWT reps have a vote on matters regarding soccer in canada and specifically the national teams? But, How many months a year can you play soccer in the Northwest Territories? and how many registered players are there in there? Are there any clubs in the territories? do they send teams to any national championships?

Why is the input from a rep from the NWT more valuable than, say, a rep from MLSEL? ( i know that the Impact and whitecaps are represented) or even each of its supporters groups for that matter? In fact, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that the U-sector is larger in numbers than say, the registered players in the NWT.

[VPjr]

quote:Originally posted by Free kick

NWT reps have a vote on matters regarding soccer in canada and specifically the national teams? But, How many months a year can you play soccer in the Northwest Territories? and how many registered players are there in there? Are there any clubs in the territories? do they send teams to any national championships?

Why is the input from a rep from the NWT more valuable than, say, a rep from MLSEL? ( i know that the Impact and whitecaps are represented) or even each of its supporters groups for that matter? In fact, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that the U-sector is larger in numbers than say, the registered players in the NWT.

You ask some very good questions.

My kids are registered at a Mississauga club with over 6000 registered players. That means my kids' club has double the number of registered players than the entire NWT soccer association and is about 10-20% larger than the registrations from all 3 northern territories combined.

I got the following info from the CSA website (2006 demographics report):

NWT - their website claims 3000 registered players but CSA demographics reports list just over 2000 players.

Yukon - their website has little useful info but according to the CSA report, in 2006, Yukon had less than 1800 registered players.

Nunavut - CSA reports lists less than 600 registered players in 2006

PEI - CSA report lists less than 5800 registered players in 2006

Nfld - CSA report lists just over 10,000 registered players in 2006.

So, my kids' club is bigger than the 3 territories combines and is also bigger than PEI's total registration base.

Oakville S.C. has over 10,000 registered players. it's basically as big as Newfoundland.

the Peel/Halton district (encompassing Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton and I Think Burlington as well) has more registered players than all of the the provinces/territories except for Ontario, Quebec, BC and Alberta.

How is it possible that such huge clubs don't use the power that comes with such huge number to flex some muscle and stand up to the CSA and say "not so fast...I'm not writing those cheques this year just because you want to settle your lawsuit with Fred Nykamp". Alot of clubs are scared to death when it comes to insurance issues but to me, that's a scare tactic because I know of clubs and academies that have the same insurance for their players that the OSA provides for their member clubs. Why can't clubs get their own insurance? they can but they choose not to for some reason. Maybe they don't know how easy it is to get.

I know that there is distrust among some Canadian soccer supporters when it comes to the motives of many clubs' executives. However, the reality is that the real power in this sport resides at the club level because that's where the money originates.

By the way, the CSA passed a $1.00 fee increase for 2008. There will be more fee increases next year when they start to implement their new "strategic plan", which, by the way, was drafted without input from a permanent Sec. General or a TD. While it's great that they have a plan (it would be nice if they show it to their membership), its going to require a lot of funding. Expect them to need $3 million to $5 million extra per year for 5 years to fund that plan.

[Richard]

Clubs don't pay any money directly to the CSA, they pay their provincial association and it is the provincial association that looks after insurance. I suspect if clubs witheld payment of provincial levies their teams and players would not be eligible to play in any local, provincial, national or international leagues, tournaments or teams which require player registration with the FIFA recognised governing body. I agree on the insurance issue though, any club with 6,000 members should be able to get much the same insurance deal that the province can get with a half decent broker but I would give very careful consideration to liability issues if I was an officer or director of a club that dissaciated itself from the FIFA recognised establishment in this manner.

[VPjr]

^ Richard, I know of clubs with as little as 400 registered players that have chosen to operate independantly. They have the same type of insurance and levels of coverage that the OSA provides and they buy this insurance at a very competitive rate. For a club with 2000+ players, it's a no brainer.

You are right...if a club witholds registration fees from the province, it's players would be ineligible for all the competitions you listed above. But what if ALL the major clubs withheld said funds? I'm just throwing that "crazy" idea out there. Do the really large clubs REALLY need the OSA and CSA to operate their clubs and develop players? I think the private academies have shown that they can do just fine without membership with the provincial associations / CSA.

[Martyr]

quote:Originally posted by VPjr

My kids are registered at a Mississauga club with over 6000 registered players. That means my kids' club has double the number of registered players than the entire NWT soccer association and is about 10-20% larger than the registrations from all 3 northern territories combined.

I got the following info from the CSA website (2006 demographics report):

NWT - their website claims 3000 registered players but CSA demographics reports list just over 2000 players.

Yukon - their website has little useful info but according to the CSA report, in 2006, Yukon had less than 1800 registered players.

Nunavut - CSA reports lists less than 600 registered players in 2006

PEI - CSA report lists less than 5800 registered players in 2006

Nfld - CSA report lists just over 10,000 registered players in 2006.

So, my kids' club is bigger than the 3 territories combines and is also bigger than PEI's total registration base.

Oakville S.C. has over 10,000 registered players. it's basically as big as Newfoundland.

the Peel/Halton district (encompassing Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton and I Think Burlington as well) has more registered players than all of the the provinces/territories except for Ontario, Quebec, BC and Alberta.

How is it possible that such huge clubs don't use the power that comes with such huge number to flex some muscle and stand up to the CSA and say "not so fast...I'm not writing those cheques this year just because you want to settle your lawsuit with Fred Nykamp". Alot of clubs are scared to death when it comes to insurance issues but to me, that's a scare tactic because I know of clubs and academies that have the same insurance for their players that the OSA provides for their member clubs. Why can't clubs get their own insurance? they can but they choose not to for some reason. Maybe they don't know how easy it is to get.

I know that there is distrust among some Canadian soccer supporters when it comes to the motives of many clubs' executives. However, the reality is that the real power in this sport resides at the club level because that's where the money originates.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record... I think this issue is ultimately the key to how the CSA should be reformed. I believe this is also the problem that FIFA must with the CSA in regards to membership issues (they want one member/one vote).

If the Provinces continue to be members of the CSA (or at least the only members) we will either have a system where the largest provinces dictate the agenda for everyone else (if number of votes are relative to registered players) or one where the smallest provinces can have a disproportionate amount of power (if we have one member/one vote).

If the smaller organizations (Clubs or Districts) become the members of the CSA then a big province might have 500 clubs and a small province or territory might have 5 or just 1. So we would have one member/one vote but overall the relative registration numbers of each province would be reflected by the number of clubs voting from that province.

[Mobiiiiiiiilio]

Just watched Extra Time on GOLTV with Lee Godfrey and Paul James......Godfrey did a phone interview with Maestracci.....he seemed to dodge most questions...but I found it interesting what James and Godfrey said afterwards.......if we want to compete at the international level why not raise the player levy to 20 bucks a year from the little 7 or 8???? We need to get the sport past the soccer moms and into getting kids playing the sport who think it will be their career...consider hockey costs parents for one child between 400 and 500 a year....that's where the politics come in.....no president at the provincial level has the nuts to do that...that's why I can't understand how they can move forward with a five year plan with zero leadership

[The Ref]

A $20 increase would give the CSA some 17 million more, but with no guarantees that anything will improve. The thing is why should 850,000 people in Canada make it easy for the politicians in the CSA when they can't even answer questions or resolve their conflicts. I say, let them work their butts off and get sponsors and figure other innovative ways to raise funds. Once they prove themselves worth something, then and only then support their shortfall with some temporary extra fee.

[NPE]

With two kids in competitive soccer, it's getting more and more expensive.

Expect to pay $2000+ this summer (registration, team fees, uniform, travel costs).

Increasingly it is a sport for the fairly well off. So be careful, that you don't

exclude too many kids with talk of increasing fees.

[NS Rooney]

quote:Originally posted by The Ref

A $20 increase would give the CSA some 17 million more, but with no guarantees that anything will improve. The thing is why should 850,000 people in Canada make it easy for the politicians in the CSA when they can't even answer questions or resolve their conflicts. I say, let them work their butts off and get sponsors and figure other innovative ways to raise funds. Once they prove themselves worth something, then and only then support their shortfall with some temporary extra fee.

That's just throwing good money after bad. Quite simply, the clubs are all run by soccer moms (and dads) with their own petty agendas and the provincial associations are run by more soccer moms and dads with agendas. And usually pulling the strings is an executive officer or provincial manager who weilds power by virtue of the threat of cutting the moms' & dads' little Johnny or Sally from the provincial team or NTC. It's that simple And that petty. All that petty politics moves up the line to the CSA. Too bad there wasn't a way to professionalize the whole system. I'd love to know how other national associations are structured.