Restructuring of the CSA - In Progress

[Tuscan]

Dare our dreams become reality..?

I have been talking to a few people who are currently involved in the restructuring of the CSA. It appears that the restructuring model and process is going to be the main topic during the upcoming CSA meeting this weekend in Ottawa. Does anyone have any info regarding the meeting, the restructuring plan, or the people involved they would care to share?

I know that Don Story, a professor of Political Science here at the U of S, has been a major player in the design of the restructuring model and process. I've arranged a casual meeting with him next Tuesday to talk about this along with issues regarding Saskatchewan soccer. Assuming he doesn't have a problem with me summarizing what we talk about, I'll make sure to write up a brief summary of what he has to say and post it here.

[Soju]

Would this restructuring mean replacing lots of people and injecting millions of dollars? If not then I don't think our dreams are going to become reality.

[An Observer]

Nothing worries me more than having an academic involved in restructing an organisation....

[nimamalek]

dont they do this every time we fail to qualify for the World Cup? put some BS news out about restructing and all the Voyageurs go quiet for another 4 years and then the process repeats itself. The only avenue left is to completely dissolve the CSA and make sure anyone involved with the organization does not have a say in the new organization. Short of that, ass kickings might help us make a change, those who dont agree are as much a problem as the CSA itself.

[Guest Ed]

But an academic would have jumped on the 2 'restructing' comments.

[VPjr]

There are some legitimate efforts being made to "restructure" the CSA.

If I choose to be cynical, my cynicism would stem from the belief that real restructuring (of a fundamental nature) would require many people who would have to sign off on the restructuring to essentially vote themselves out of a position of influence. There isn't much of a track record to show that this is likely.

Having said that, I know that there are some bold ideas on the table. Its clear that there is a need to address the major governance problems that continue to handcuff the CSA.

[ag futbol]

Could there actually be some foresight on the CSA's part that eventually (2014) they might be under even more scrunity than they are right now if qualifying goes badly? We saw the affect MLS had on NT coverage here in Toronto. Add Mtl and Vancouver into that equation and there looks to be less and less places to hide from poor outings.

I'm probably 100% wrong, but i'll dare to dream. This will probably just turn out to be more bureaucratic fluff.

[nimamalek]

quote:Originally posted by VPjr

There are some legitimate efforts being made to "restructure" the CSA.

If I choose to be cynical, my cynicism would stem from the belief that real restructuring (of a fundamental nature) would require many people who would have to sign off on the restructuring to essentially vote themselves out of a position of influence. There isn't much of a track record to show that this is likely.

Having said that, I know that there are some bold ideas on the table. Its clear that there is a need to address the major governance problems that continue to handcuff the CSA.

Well thats the root of the problem. How do you ask the CSA to restructure and solve the problems when most of the problems will have a say in the restructuring? The issue has always been that no one outside of the CSA has any real leverage on the CSA. Your point about "major governance problems" handcuffing the CSA is also invalid, even in cases where governance has had no bearing on an important decision, the decision has been made incorrectly. The real issue is that the current governing body of the CSA is completely incapable of making important decisions.

[Richard]

What is needed is a fresh examination of the entire organisation and its constitution by an independent outsider who understands the nature of the problem and is familiar with what has proven to work elsewhere and for that outsider's recommendations to be adopted. If all they do is move around the current people with a rejigged organisation chart nothing much will really be achieved.

[SF]

quote:Originally posted by nimamalek

Well thats the root of the problem. How do you ask the CSA to restructure and solve the problems when most of the problems will have a say in the restructuring? The issue has always been that no one outside of the CSA has any real leverage on the CSA. Your point about "major governance problems" handcuffing the CSA is also invalid, even in cases where governance has had no bearing on an important decision, the decision has been made incorrectly. The real issue is that the current governing body of the CSA is completely incapable of making important decisions.

There are people outside the CSA who have influence - their funders. The problem is that the biggest funders are the provincial associations via player fees. Theoretically, the government and sponsors have influence, but either they choose not to care or are simply a smaller piece of the pie. Were they to raise issues, you might see change. But, again, it appears they do not.

The issue with the provinves is that they are represented on the board (in fact, they make up most of it) and they choose to be, well, provincial, in their approaches (you know what they say...the smaller the stakes...). Also, they have an inherent conflict of interest. If this were a public corporation, you might say that they do not have a majority independent board (a big no-no). Or you might say this is simple a board filled with ex-oficio members - a model that rarely, if ever, works (again, the conflict of interest issue).

So, the problems are both governance and the individuals involved (those who tend to represent the provincial associations may well be good and decent people, but they are hopelessly unqualified). And the solution, then, is one in the same - change the governance model which would, necessarily, change the individuals involved.

I remain hopeful, but not optimistic.

[The Ref]

Restructuring the CSA? don't think so. Maybe some cosmetic changes that mean squat. The CSA as it exists today cannot be restructured without repealing the whole constitution and making a new one. That alone will never fly as the voting members will be shooting their own foot. The CSA (and provincial associations) need to be disbanded and a new entirely different organization(s) set up. Similar to what other countries have and approved by FIFA. At one time I thought the now dormant CSF would do the trick. Maybe one day things will change, unfortunately I will not live long enough to see it.

[jpg75]

Canadian Soccer Association . l'Association canadienne de soccer

Media Release . Communiqué

For Immediate Release / Pour diffusion immédiate -

Association continues constitution work

The Canadian Soccer Association reached another milestone in its path to a renewed governance model that will help the Association achieve its long-term strategic directives. The Association's Board of Directors unanimously approved the Governance and Renewal framework that was presented this past weekend by the Constitution

Committee. To the betterment of its Membership, the Association is building a new governance model that will meet the specific needs and unique requirements of soccer in Canada.

With the support of Sport Canada, the Association's Constitution Committee has met regularly since May's Annual General Meeting in Banff, AB. The committee made a presentation to the Board in Ottawa this weekend. A new framework will provide greater efficiency, accountability and transparency throughout the Association.

"These changes will provide us with greater flexibility and the ability to implement our objectives from the strategic plan in the coming years," said Canadian Soccer Association president Dr. Dominic Maestracci.

The Canadian Soccer Association, in cooperation with its members and partners, provides leadership in the pursuit of excellence in soccer, both nationally and internationally. Founded in 1912, its vision is leading Canada to victory and Canadians to a life-long passion for soccer.

[tmcmurph]

quote:Originally posted by Richard

What is needed is a fresh examination of the entire organisation and its constitution by an independent outsider who understands the nature of the problem and is familiar with what has proven to work elsewhere and for that outsider's recommendations to be adopted. If all they do is move around the current people with a rejigged organisation chart nothing much will really be achieved.

Agreed on those points. Lets face it, if the CSA doesn't implement the D&T report then they are just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. So the question becomes how much of the D&T report have they implemented and what is the timetable for implementing the rest.

[VPjr]

^ I'm told that this will be more than just re-arranging the deck chairs (I had the same thought when I read the press release).

What's bugging me is that there isn't much transparency, which is not overly surprising. they don't have a great track record when it comes to coming up with plans in private (i.e. no transparency prior to release of the strategic plan and it was an underwhelming document).

[ag futbol]

^ yeah that's that thing, we have no transparency about a policy which is supposed to in the future provide it. Doesn't sound very promising.

The other thing to consider here is whether this is ment to improve our international competitiveness, or simply take Timbits soccer and beer leagues to new heights.

[Richard]

I agree, we (the CSA membership) have already paid for outside consultants to examine the CSA and make recommendations (D & T). At the time the CSA response seemed to be to shelve the report and ignore it. I hope they are not trying to go through the whole process again at our cost but are paying attention to the D & T recommendations.

[VPjr]

^ I wouldn't be surprised if elements of the D&T document are adopted but I think that was too radical for some/most of the directors of the CSA.

I fully expect that some degree of governance reform will happen. I think it may end up being relatively meaningful. However, all I can do is offer somewhat informed speculation because, like everyone else, I've not seen anything concrete from the CSA. I'm going to press for some details and hopefully they'll see that it is wise not to do this type of work in complete isolation. They don't have a monopoly on good ideas. In fact, there has been a paucity of good ideas from the CSA for a very long time.

I like and trust Montopoli and I've been told that high ranking directors are saying on the record that real governance reform is needed so, for that reason I choose not to go negative on this issue at this time. However, I do expect some amount of transparency and openness, sooner than later.

[Tuscan]

I still haven't had a chance to talk with Mr. Story, but hopefully on Monday I'll be able to find time. He is a member of the Constitution Committee, and has told me during a brief conversation that they are looking at a complete restructuring with the national teams in mind over anything else. I have a lot of optimism that they might have finally come to realize that Begovic situations are not going to stop until the CSA is rebuilt into a proper organization.

[VPjr]

quote:Originally posted by Tuscan

they are looking at a complete restructuring with the national teams in mind over anything else.

this is what I've heard as well. Now I want to see it in writing.

[Tuscan]

So you and I both have access to people who are a part of the process. How do we get across the point that everyone on the outside can see the problems within the organization without causing those who are trying to fix the organization to close the doors and remove any transparency that already exists???

[Bxl Boy]

quote:Originally posted by beachesl

A fundamental problem is the fact that the CSA is in fact nothing more than an association of provincial associations.

Provincial associations are in fact nothing more than an association of regional associations

Regional associations are in fact nothing more than an association of amateur clubs, that often are single amateur teams acting on their own but together with the same name

And that amateur teams are run by parents-volunteers

So, if I sum up, the CSA is run by parents-volunteers ?

[beachesl]

A fundamental problem is the fact that the CSA is little more than an association of provincial associations.

How bushleague is this? The results can be seen that in most ways we have failed to advance to the 21st century, and in fact have become more inefficient and less effective than the past when issues were easier to deal with. In terms of soccer development, 1986 was centuries ago.

Even though the voting has been structured on membership, so that Ontario has a rightfullly higher voting power, the entire concept is skewed. There needs to be a separate Confederaton of Provincial Soccer Associations, with one joint member on the board of a national CSA, or the focus will always be on parochial issues. The provincial associations and their umbrella collective confederation could deal with non-professional and non-international matters, setting national standards for these mom-and-pop (but still vital) areas, perhaps with the assistance of the CSA. The CSA could then deal with national professional matters and international matters, with national training centres of excellence, and deal effectively in obtaining funding and revenue sources without regard to distant demands. I have not done a survey of how all the other countries organize their associations, but I bet that even Switzerland, decentralized to the max wih a weak national government , does not have a balkanized Football Association like we do, and I would be surpised if any others do. Certainly, if someone suggested that the USSF should be based on state soccer associations, they would be laughed out of the water. From my experience in Alberta, I know that the CSA could not even sneeze in Edmonton or Calgary without the laughable ASA (at least it was until 4 years ago when I left) holding the tissues.

Other board members could include a member of a Canadian professional soccer players association (one should be set up), a Federal Government appointee from Sports Canada vetted by a parliamentary committee, an association of professional soccer clubs (again, they need to set one up if we are to get out of the dark ages), and a representative of the fans, be it the Voyageurs or someone else. Imagine the energetic and dynamic discussion of interests that could develop. Yes, there would be a potential for abuse, but at least there would be some hard tacks. Other board members could be found, but they would have to be devoted to and focussed on the national issues, not on parochial local ones.

This is not a cure-all of course, but until we deal with this fundamental problem, we will not even get to first base on all the daunting issues facing soccer in Canada. Otherwise we will continue to be trumped by other nations, including the streamlined and bloodyminded Trinidad and Tobago for gawdsakes, much less even start to approach the mammoth success of the US, who we only rivalled in the last century due to the strength of character of certain indiviuals or small groups (NOT thanks to the CSA).

[beachesl]

quote:Originally posted by Bxl Boy

Provincial associations are in fact nothing more than an association of regional associations

Regional associations are in fact nothing more than an association of amateur clubs, that often are single amateur teams acting on their own but together with the same name

And that amateur teams are run by parents-volunteers

So, if I sum up, the CSA is run by parents-volunteers ?

Haha, if it were that simple, at least there woul dbe some accountability.

[gator]

Here's a decent article re: the changes with some quotes:http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2009/09/21/11024281-sun.html

[Gian-Luca]

quote:Originally posted by gator

Here's a decent article re: the changes with some quotes:http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2009/09/21/11024281-sun.html

That all sounds great - now to see if it actually happens. I want 25 home games next year to make up for the previous 10 years. And no, I'm not expecting to get what I want.

Also good that the CSA spoke out against Begovic