TSA Strategic Planning Consultation
February 25, 2008
Present: Antonia Guidotti (chair), Michael Allison, Charles Wyatt, Mary Dutton, Patrick Lowe –District Coach, Michael Oest, Johann Szebrag, Joe Couto- EYSC, William Epp – Toronto Supra.
The chair welcomed everyone and opened discussion. Three primary items were discussed:
- What is a club?
- What services do clubs provide? What services do clubs need to provide to be successful and viable?
- What services should a district provide?
What is a soccer club?
What kinds of clubs do we have and what kinds would we like to have?
A club provides services for the community where they operate.
At present we have:
- Clubs that operate youth teams – houseleague and maybe competitive U5-U18
- Clubs that operate youth and senior teams – houseleague and competitive
- Recreational Senior Leagues
- Senior Clubs with one or two competitive teams
- Senior Club with more than 3 competitive teams
- Professional or semi-professional clubs with one or two teams
It was noted that there was not a smooth transition of players from youth play to senior play.
The current requirement of 250 players is somewhat arbitrary. What is deemed more important is that basic training and some basic services be offered by a club.
The concept of a ‘full-service’ club was discussed. This would be a club where players had the options of playing at different competitive levels (amateur to professional) or recreationally from U5, to Senior to Masters. Offering ‘academy service’ was an option.
In general, there was agreement that our existing clubs needed to be strengthened in order to compete against academies and poaching by other groups. Part of the barrier to stronger clubs is that clubs are not training and developing players well.
Concept of Compensation
When strong players emerge from our youth clubs, they are picked up by more competitive teams or professional clubs. There is no compensation given at this time to the club that developed the player. FIFA rules state that once a player signs a pro contract, the signing club pays $100,000 (not sure of figure) to the club where the player developed. CSA should take the lead on this issue. If the contract is overseas, the compensation should filter down. The TFC Academy program- will clubs be compensated for the players that go there?
The other side of the issue is that a player should be given every opportunity to play at the highest level they are able and that clubs should not restrict player movement if they cannot provide that level of play for the player.
Academies – in professional clubs overseas these are the training ground for new players and there is no charge to the player. In Ontario, players are charged to participate.
Players must be the primary focus. They need to think that they are playing in the best possible environment. Club and District must create this positive environment.
Level of coaching needs to improve. At present the only measurable is the certification but this is not an indicator of a good coach. Part of coaching education should include information on the Pyramid of Play. Lots of coaches unaware of structure. Clubs should have skilled coaches for each level of play they intend to offer. If coaching expertise is not evident, club should not offer the level of play.
U8-U10 should be training, not playing games. Improve the technical skills instead of focusing on speed, strength and aggressiveness to win.
A proposed club Model or Charter:
- Youth houseleague or development league for U5-U18
- Youth competitive – different levels District, Regional, Provincial
- Senior recreational
- Senior competitive – amateur (District, Regional and Provincial) and professional
- Academy
- Paid head coach(es) or trainer(s) – to train houseleague coaches
- Meet technical, financial (budget) and organizational requirements (administrator)
- If club does not offer a particular service, allow players to move to club that does.
Benefits expected:
- Feedback loop possible with senior players providing volunteer time as coaches and referees within the club. Players from U16 and up could assist club.
- Smoother transition from youth to senior play
- More competitive teams at higher levels.
District teams
At highest level of youth competition, pool the talented players into one team representing the district.
Advantages: actually have a team from TSA represented in the competition.
Barriers: lack of confidence in TSA, club biases.
District Office– should be a portal to soccer and must be professional. Information about soccer in Toronto should be easily accessed. Improved communication should be a priority.
What does TSA do? ‘Foster development and growth of soccer in District.’
Register players, run leagues, organize coaching and referee clinics, development program, run tournaments, discipline, lobby for facilities, fundraise
Suggestion that volunteers are spreading themselves too thin, focus on doing a few of those activities really well.
Organizationally it was suggested that the Senior District Leagues should be considered one club.
AG to schedule another meeting for April.