Minutes/DRAFT

Eclipse Board Meeting 7-24-2011, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Morris Thompson Center

Meeting Started at 4:07 pm by Amy Geiger, President.

Attendees: Amy Geiger, Steph McGinty, Sue Signor, Anita Simpson, Beverly Luoma, Brian Luoma, Dennette Marks, Sarah Keller, John Cadigan, Deb Triplehorn, John Mayer, Paula Everts, Michelle Steel, Steve Steel, Eric Court, Beckie Crawford, Annette Freymueller, Shea Daniels, Dave Veazey,

Review of Minutes: John Mayer moved to approve the 5-22-11 Eclipse Minutes. Dennette Marks seconded. All approved.

Agenda Approval: All Approved

Monthly Agenda Items:

Registrar Update: All teams that are participating in Zane Cup and State Cup are all finalized.

Financial Update: The Eclipse Club has been fortunate up until now to have Kara Moore as our Club treasurer. She has not had a child playing in the Eclipse Club since January, and has continued her duties despite that until we identify a new club treasurer. The Eclipse Club is so grateful for her dedication and time for getting the club through the busy summer months. Previous Club Treasurer, Sue Signor has graciously agreed to be the interim treasurer until we can find a new treasurer for the club. All managers, coaches and team reps are asked to go out to their teams to get the word out. This is the single most important position in the Eclipse Club, and without it, the club is not viable!!! Sue is looking through the books of what is needed of teams by year end and encouraged team treasurer's to start housecleaning their own books. Spring gym fees still need to be collected along with some club clinic dues and coaching fees from various teams. More detailed financials will be available at the August board meeting. Contact Sue Signor directly if you have any treasurer/financial questions: signor@alaska.net

Coach Coordinator Update: Dave Veazey gave an AYSA update and shared that there are some disciplinary actions from two Alaskan players and that we need to remind coaches, players, etc about sportsmanship and behaviors on and off the field. There is a national disciplinary/suspension list that Kay Jones keeps that if there are guest players coming to your teams from out of state or in-state that teams need to check these list to make sure players are not on them before adding the to your team. Dave also said that overall AYSA numbers are low, as Cook Inlet has left the state association and is in another, and that soccer numbers for the state are overall lower. About 45 teams are signed up for the state tournament in Fairbanks vs approximately 60. Regional, especially at the older ages seems to be less of an appeal because of the stiff competition and the expense so teams look for other viable options. Although at the younger age groups it still is considered a prize to go and teams are able to compete.

Dave has scheduled Academy Training for up to U-12 players prior to tryouts. They will be the 4 Sundays in August before tryouts. Great recruitment tool and way to get these kids prepared. 2002 Interim coaches Eric Nace and Justin Racette will be also helping Dave with the academies. Dave said that an executive board representative from the coaches will be chosen at their next coaches meeting prior to tryouts. Lastly, Dave shared with the club that he will no longer be the coaching coordinator and that the position will be open for the next year. There was a lot of discussion on how this position should function in the club and ways to possibly change it. This position could perform more as "Club Coordinator" performing administrative club functions such as academy training coordination, field day, club clinic. Dave suggested that our club also move in another direction of having a coaching director which would collaborate with coaches and provide a good atmosphere for coaches and to work together. He believes this is the model this club needs to move in mentoring coaches. These options to be discussed at the next board meeting.

Goal Keeper Trainer Update: John Cadigan and Eric Court summarized how goalie training went this year. Overall went well, even though they would have like more training sessions and will do a better job blocking gym time early in the fall for training sessions for youngers and olders throughout the year. John Cadigan said that the duties of Goal Keeper Trainer will soley be transferred to Eric Court for the next season, because John is limited with his time coaching the Phoenix '99 and Top Soccer. Also, Eric court has the playing experience as a goalie and does a fantastic job working with the kids. Our club is fortunate to have Eric Court! Howard Maxwell and Eric Court are working on a new contract for the coming year. All coaches are asked to provide feedback to Steph McGinty on the goalie keeper trainings and on Eric Court.

Eric Court shared that he will be doing different training for the olders and youngers next year. Youngers will be twice a month so they don't get burned out and olders will be more often. A goalie training schedule should be available starting in the indoor season in October. Eric also noted that in our club we tend to pick goalies that may not be as skilled playing on the field. He emphasized that goalies really should be identified as some as the most athletic players on the team.

FYSA Update: Brian reminded everyone that FYSA is having their AGM September 6th at 6:30 pm and that they are looking for volunteers to serve on their board. He emphasized that it is really important that we have more Eclipse representation on the board. Dave added that it sure would be nice to have more parents from the recreational group as well! Steph added that there will be a meeting August 20 -21 for ideas and ways to improve the league for older players for the next season. Steph to send out an e-mail to coaches regarding this meeting.

Old Business

1. Raffle Update: The club raffle to date is going great and is coming to a close. Tammy Kosa is in the final stages of collecting tickets and money to account for all players for the raffle on August 6th, at 2 pm at State Cup at the FYSA fields.

2. Summer Clinic Participation and Evaluation of Fiscal Issues of 95 Eclipse: Amy Geiger shared various issues that the club has had with the 95 Eclipse, primarily not participating in the club clinic and the debate of them having to pay for the clinic without participating. In the past the club clinic has been mandatory, unless teams opted out primarily if they were attending regionals about the same time. The communication between the E-95 coach and the Coaching Coordinator were poor in regards to the clinic and there was a lot of confusion. Board members shared that they have always understood the club clinic to be mandatory for teams and player. Players that were injured did not have to participate. It was stated by several board members that if we let teams opt out of clinics, then how does the club pay the high expenses of bringing outside coaches up to coach. In general it was felt the clinic would have benefited the 95 team with college coaches in attendance and higher level training. The payment of the clinic by the 95 team is being worked out with Amy Geiger and Steph McGinty. Sarah Keller, the E-95 rep noted she was not aware that this would be discussed, and would have been better prepared for the discussion and would have liked more notice, but did agree that in the past she also thought club clinics were mandatory.

As a follow-up discussion, it was suggested that the club have a general information sheet from the club at each age-group tryout clearly outlining expectations from players and teams, including the mandatory participation in the summer club clinic. This suggestion was well accepted with the board members present.

3. Fall/Winter Schedule for Academy: It was discussed that the Club Academy training schedule should be scheduled far in advance and that the club needs to capitalize on early training and set out a schedule early so there are not conflicts with FYSA academies etc. This would be the role of the "coaching/club coordinator". Also it was suggested that all coaches should participate in contributing to training in these academies and share the responsibilities throughout the year.

4. Club Photo, August 3rd, 6 pm: The club photo will be taken by Portraits Photography Studio. It is scheduled at the Big Dipper field on August 3rd, at 6 pm prior to State Cup. A detailed e-mail will be sent to all teams on what to wear, where to meet, so we have great participation and have a new picture to update our website. Individual copies will also be available for families to purchase.

5. Play-Up Policy - Dave Veazey shared that we do not have an updated policy at this time. Further review is needed.

New Business:

1. Coach Evaluations Underway: The 2010-11 Coaching Evaluations are underway. The Executive Board has talked to teams with their board reps to emphasize the importance of each family member turning in an evaluation on their coaches. Coaches are asked to provide Steph McGinty feedback on Eric Court in the same manner. All evaluations are due by August 4th. Board reps will turn in their forms to Executive Board members. All evaluations will be reviewed by the President and Vice-president and will be shared in a coaches evaluation feedback meeting the week of August 22nd. At that time coaches will receive their coaching fees check.

2. Tryouts/Advertising/Flyers: The 2011-12 club tryout flyer was completed early this year and is already being circulated for the Kohl's Cup, for the newspaper and for schools. Ask an executive board member for flyers if you would like to circulate some around or give to players. Amy Geiger did a fantastic job designing the ad and ensuring the club had plenty of lead time getting them out. Thanks Amy!

3. State Cup: Dave Veazey said State Cup is ready to go, and that FYSA has done a great job getting the fields ready, hosting a pre-tournament picnic and ensuring that it will be a great State Cup. There are less teams participating but it is expected to be another great State Cup!

4. Communication within Club: Amy Geiger asked for feedback from board members regarding club communication and how it was going. Overall, it seems like it is going well. Amy emphasized that it is the board representatives role to attend regularly scheduled board meetings and to provide feedback to their teams. If they are not attending board meetings and communicating in person or by e-mail to their own teams, then it is difficult to pass the communication of what is happening unless you are involved. The next season, board representation and communication will be vital to all teams. Teams and individuals are also encouraged to go to the website to keep up on club communication. In addition, all coaches are expected to attend regularly scheduled board meetings as well.

Lastly, all team treasurers should be in the loop as well from a standardized treasurer spreadsheet which was provided by Sue Signor, which should be in their notebooks outlining when there are financial deadlines from their teams.

5. Proposed 2002 Phoenix Boys Interim Soccer Coach Justin Racette: Justin Racette introduced himself to the club with a biography of himself with his previous coaching experience as a head and assistant coach in various capacities including Monroe high school, Arctic Knights Competitive club and now currently as assistant coach on the Phoenix 01 boys team. He is a player coach and the son of a soccer coach. He also shared his philosophy of coaching and development of players. Head Phoenix 01 Coach Alan McGinty had a glowing recommendation for Justin Racette as a coach and highly recommends Justin to lead the Phoenix 02 boys team and that he is definitely ready to take on a head coaching position. A motion was made by Dave Veazey to accept Justin Racette as the 2002 Phoenix Interim Head coach, pending the submission of two additional letters of recommendation to the board. John Mayer seconded. All approved the motion. Justin Racette is the 2002 Phoenix Interim Head Coach. Welcome to the Eclipse Club Justin!

6. Mentors for Incoming 02 Coaches: Alan McGinty agreed to be Coach Justin Racette's mentor coach for the 2011-12 year. Steph McGinty will discuss with Coach Nace who his possible mentor coach will be for the 2011-12 season.

7. Proposal for Older Age Groups for 2010-11: John Cadigan addressed the issue of the lack of competitive soccer for the older age groups for both girls and boys, which can be very frustrating for those wanting it, besides only having the recreational choice. John Cadigan proposed a 94, 95, 96 girls team formed with enough competitive girls that want to still compete at a higher level. John offered to coach this group. Brian Luoma is looking into the boys side of combining the 94, 95, 96 teams with the same concept. John proposed a possible 7 vs 7 league either all girls/boys or co-ed to stay competitive. Also proposing some winter training sessions on a few Sundays a month. Both John and Brian will begin talking to FYSA about the possibility. Sarah Keller proposed having these birthdates under a banner at tryouts. Many would like to see a solution for these older age-groups and an opportunity for olders to stay competitive. The older age group proposal will be re-visited at the next board meeting.

The meeting ended at 6:05 pm.

The next board meeting is scheduled for August 28th. The Morris Thompson

Center was offered by Amy as a future meeting location. However, in the winter months meetings would have to be 3-5 pm because the building closes. To be discussed at next board meeting.