Adjudication Committee Report
April 10, 2026
The Committee has recently settled a matter that was pending at the time of our last report in January, and submits the following summary for publication by VYSA:
During a U16 boys match in a November 2025 recreational tournament, four players from one team made sexist comments to the young adult female referee, as well as remarks regarding the integrity, character, and competency of the referee. Some of the things said included:
That’s a foul? You don’t know anything.
What are you on?
Female referees can’t ref.
Girls shouldn’t be allowed to ref the game.
You shouldn’t be allowed here.
These statements were made at the very end of the match and after the final whistle.
In its investigation, the Committee learned that the players involved were playing above their expected age group. Specifically, they were 15, 15, 14, and 13.
Under USSF Policy 531-9, the mandatory minimum sanction for discriminatory or derogatory words or actions on account of the referee’s gender is 10 matches or 12 months. However, 531-9 gives the Committee the option to reduce the minimum sanction in half when the complaint is a first offense by a minor.
Therefore, the Committee offered to forgo a hearing in exchange for the club imposing a five-match ban on the players. The club accepted the Committee’s offer and the case was resolved.
Since our last report in January, the Committee has received two complaints for referee abuse:
o In one matter, a coach made slight, deliberate contact with an assistant referee. The Committee is pursuing a settlement following the coach having been released from their club.
o In the other matter, a Georgia player in a U19 travel tournament match is alleged to have used discriminatory or derogatory words or actions regarding the referee’s race or ethnicity. The Executive Director has approached his counterpart in Georgia because that association has jurisdiction.
o The Committee is aware of an incident arising out of the recent travel tournament where it is alleged that a Maryland coach used discriminatory or derogatory words or actions on account of a youth referee’s race or ethnicity. A member of the Committee is talking with the youth referee about whether they will pursue a complaint for abuse.
The Committee is reviewing its records to determine whether any suspensions from last year are still being served.
Ash Sawkar has agreed to serve on the Committee. After graduating from law school, Mr. Sawkar spent three years as a state prosecutor in Chicago, Illinois, with a focus on appellate practice before the state appellate and Supreme Court. After the attacks of September 11th, he joined the FBI as a Special Agent. Mr. Sawkar’s 20-year career focused on complex international terrorism investigations, undercover public corruption investigations, and complex national security investigations. After retirement from federal service, Mr. Sawkar joined TikTok as in-house counsel.
Eric Highsmith Committee Chair
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT – April 15, 2026
VYSA – Organizational Dashboard (March 2026)
Area
Status
Membership Engagement �� In Progress
Marketing Department �� In Progress
Partnerships & Sponsorships �� On Track
Operations (PVSTC) �� On Track
Events & Competitions �� In Preparation
Finance Department �� On Track
Technical Programs �� Completed
Legend:
�� On Track / Completed
�� Monitoring / In Progress �� Needs Attention
ORGANIZATION - INTERNAL
Key Internal Initiatives:
Key Notes
Membership pulse check survey
Digital platform metrics & VYSA deck
New opportunities & renewal reviews
Full schedule of tournaments
Presidents Cup, State Cup
Expense and Reimbursement Policy
International trip
• Implemented a shared calendar, finalized all 2026 Spring dates to improve coordination across departments.
• Updated and refined Expense and Reimbursement Policy to support streamlined operations - EXHIBIT A
• Key BOD Finance Committee, BOD and AGM Meeting Dates:
o Thursday, April 30th Budget Submission
o Sunday, May 10th Budget Feedback to Senior Staff
o Wednesday, May 13th Budget Feedback Discussion – Zoom Call
o Saturday. May 16th Budget Review - In Person
o Wednesday June 17th BOD Meeting / Budget Approval – Zoom Call
o Saturday, June 27th AGM @ AlexRenew – Proposal of Annual Leadership Event - EXHIBIT B
ORGANIZATION - EXTERNAL
MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT
• USYS Dallas Trip: Future State and Local Arm details – EXHIBIT C
• TOPSoccer Night @ D.C. United to initiate collaboration. Supported 5 clubs as they were recognized on the field during pre-game activities.
• AGM Secured for June 27th @ Alex Renew -
• Membership pulse survey to better understand engagement trends & identify areas for improvement
• Continue to review the membership database, affiliation processes, invoicing procedures, and accounts receivable systems to identify opportunities for improvement.
• N-Va Allstar Soccer Academy application review status check
• Greater Fredericksburg Civils application review status check
• Decision communicated regarding Elite Performance Sports Academy application, follow-up needed
MARKETING DEPARTMENT
• Regional Chamber Membership complete. Planning a ribbon cutting of membership and to be featured on Chamber Podcast. Attended Leadshare (BNI) group at the Chamber.
• New Sponsorship / Collaboration Initiatives: Atlantic Union Bank, D.C. United, Kalahari Resort, Fine Designs, All Sports Outfitters, Kona Ice/Traveling Tom’s, Spideo, Soccer Parenting, Enterprise Rent a Car, Soccer Village, Pursue Iceland, Praxis Sport, Mary Washington University, Pohanka Automative Group.
• Renewal Reviews: Dick’s, Simax, Veo, Fredericksburg Convention Center, 288 Travel, Publix, Soccer.com
• Developing updated digital metrics framework and sponsorship deck to support revenue growth initiatives
OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT (PVSTC)
• In the process of hiring a new Assistant Manager.
• Jefferson Cup is complete – Up next are MLS Next, State / President’s Cup, FSCI Phoenix Tournament, and USYS National League Cup.
EVENTS & COMPETITIONS
• State Cup: 140 teams 140 teams registered for Spring State Cup. This is a single elimination competition
• President’s Cup: 29 teams registered for Spring Presidents Cup. 8 league Champions from VCSL will register for a semi-final place.
TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT
• International Trip and Coaching Ed Recap FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
• Budget preparation
• Policy review
• Accounts receivable review
NEXT 30 – 60 DAYS FOCUS
• Align internal structure to support operational efficiency and scalability
• Finalize and present FY budget for approval
• Advance and close key sponsorship opportunities and renewals
• Implement improvements across membership, registration, and financial processes
Spring Cup Update
State Cup
140 teams registered for Spring State Cup. This is a single elimination competition.
All 76 Play In games have been self-scheduled.
30 games have been completed so far. 46 games are still to be played before May 10th
State Cup Q-Finals will be held at PVSTC on Saturday 16th May (32 games).
Presidents Cup
129 teams registered for Spring Presidents Cup. 8 league Champions from VCSL will register for a semifinal place.
All 37 Play In games have been self-scheduled.
9 games have been completed so far. 28 games still to be played before May 8th
Presidents Cup Group Play weekend will be held at PVSTC on the weekend of May 9th & 10th .
Saturday 9th May will have 74 games and on Sunday 10th May there will be 65 games to be played.
State Cup & Presidents Cup Final 4 weekend is May 30th & 31st, all board members welcome to attend any weekend of play.
State Cup Nationals
We have 3 teams attending Nationals.
Girls in TN: VSA ECNL RL G10 & BRYC Academy G08/07 ECRL.
Boys in UT: Springfield SYC U14 B.
Mid Atlantic Presidents Cup
The following U15-U19 teams are committed to attending on June 11-14th in Loudoun County, VA.
U15G Arlington SA 2011G White
U16G Gunston SC GSC 2010G Sharks
U17G Virginia Soccer Association VSA 09G PREMIER RED
U19G Fredericksburg FC - EDP 2007G
U15B Shenandoah Valley United Inc 2011 SVU Boys Navy
U16B Villarreal Virginia Academy Villarreal VA Yellow B10
U17B HL92 Soccer Academy 2009B Yellow VISTA
U19B Burke Athletic Club Burke United Academy
Wildcard teams that are interested in attending are as follows:
U15G BRYC Academy G11 ECRL
U16G GFRSC 10G White
U15B BAC '11B Rangers Blue
U19B U19 2007-09 Boys Sky Blue
NEW 11U/12U National Cups Championship -2026
Dates: Saturday, June 27th & Sunday, June 28th, 2026
Hosts: Maryland State Youth Soccer Association
Location: Bob Lucido Fields, Covenant Park, Ellicott City, MD.
A State Cup team from each age group will attend this event.
4/9/2026. Ray Ford.
Technical Director’s Board Report-Apr. 13, 2026
By: Gordon Miller VYSA Technical Director
ODP
• Hugely successful international trip to Spain from March 31-April 9. The four teams (2 boys and 2 girls) played four games each and saw a professional La Liga match. The teams played professional teams academies and had the opportunity to visit historic towns along the southern Spanish coastline. A couple of sick players and a rerouted plane but all and all, everything went extremely well. Huge kudos to Dr. Freigang (sports psychologist) and Dan Koehl (trainer), along with the team admins and coaching staff.
• Teams have now been selected for the Region Tournament in PA (boys) and NJ (girls) on June 5-7
• We will have one more training session prior to the tournament in late May.
COACH EDUCATION
Now that the spring season has started, the number of licenses taught in April and May are always low. Lots of summer requests are on the books
National License
National License
Valley United
National License
National License
National License
Fury FC (Powhatan)
Arlington Soccer Association
B Heather Pedersen Ongoing
B Paul Shaw Ongoing
D Russell Dishman April
C William "Bill" Furjanic Ongoing
C Paul Shaw Ongoing
C Gordon Miller Ongoing
D Carl Gray April
D Brian Biggio April
Club Visits and Clinics-Great Falls, Stafford, Legacy, Blue Ridge United, AC Alliance.
Paul will travel to KC this weekend to participate in Grass Roots Instructor training.
VYSA EXPENSE and REIMBURSEMENT POLICY BOARD BRIEF
Expense Policy Update (2022 → 2026)
PURPOSE OF UPDATE
• Modernize outdated reimbursement processes
• Improve financial control & accountability
• Enable business development + partnerships
• Align operations with organizational growth
“This update modernizes VYSA’s expense policy by tightening financial controls, enabling business development activities, and shifting approval authority to staff while significantly improving efficiency, accountability, and alignmentwithorganizationalgrowth.”
KEY IMPROVEMENTS
Operational Efficiency
• 45 days → 14-day submission deadline
• Digital receipts accepted (vs. paper only)
• Consolidated expense reporting per trip
Clear Accountability
• Defined approval structure:
o ≤$250 → Supervisor
o +$251 → Executive Director / CFO
• Stronger enforcement:
o Late submissions may be denied
o Credit card misuse → payroll deduction
Strategic Flexibility
• Business development expenses now allowed
• Pre-approved exceptions for partner engagement
• Meal caps increased:
o $65.00 → $75.00/day
Cost Control Enhancements
• Mileage rules tightened:
o Increased rate: $0.70 → $0 72
o Min threshold: 30 → 50 miles
o Carpooling expectations introduced
• Lodging cap introduced: $175.00/night
• Rental vs mileage cost comparison required
Expanded Governance (NEW)
• Corporate credit card controls
• Facility (PVSTC) expense oversight – will be part of (SOP) Standard Operating Procedure
• Inventory & fuel tracking requirements – will be part of SOP Handbook
• Coaching & instructor payment structure – will be part of SOP Handbook
MAJOR POLICY SHIFTS
Area 2022 Policy 2026 Policy
Submission Timeline 45 days 14 days
Receipts Original Digital (when platform implemented)
Meal Cap
Mileage
$65.00/day
$75.00/day + BD flexibility
$0.70 / 30-mile min $0.72 / 50-mile min + restrictions
Scope Reimbursement only Full operational / reimbursement control
Annual Leadership Weekend Proposal
Presented by: Executive Director
1. Purpose & Vision
Annual Leadership Weekend is proposed as a new annual flagship event designed to:
• Bring together club leaders, coaches, administrators, and partners across the state
• Provide education, collaboration, and alignment on key initiatives
• Strengthen VYSA’s leadership position within the youth soccer ecosystem
• Create a sustainable, non-membership revenue stream
This event will evolve the traditional AGM into a more engaging, value-driven experience, while continuing to fulfill governance requirements.
2. Strategic Rationale
Current State:
• AGM functions primarily as a governance meeting with limited engagement
• Minimal revenue generation
• Limited statewide impact
Future State:
• Transform AGM into part of a broader “Event” experience
• Increase participation and engagement across all stakeholders
• Create a platform for sponsorship, partnerships, and education
3. Event Structure (Proposed)
Timing
• Late June - Aligned with current AGM timing of June 27th
• Weekend format – Saturday, June 27th and Sunday, June 28th
Format Overview
Saturday (Primary Engagement Day)
Start: 11:00 AM – End: 7:30 PM
• Opening Remarks & State of Soccer Address
• Leadership & Club Development Sessions
• Breakout Tracks (Coaching, Admin, Operations)
• Vendor / Sponsor Activation Area
• Networking Reception (Evening)
Sunday (Governance + Education)
Start: 9:00 AM – End: 1:00 PM
• Annual General Meeting (AGM) – streamlined (60–90 minutes)
• Coaching Education / Technical Sessions
• Closing Remarks
Additional Component
• BOD Meeting: Scheduled prior to Summit start (Friday evening or early Saturday morning)
4. Revenue Opportunities
I. Registration Fees
• Coaches, administrators, and club leaders
• Estimated: $75–$150 per attendee
II Sponsorship Packages
• Title Sponsor
• Supporting Sponsors
• Session Sponsors
III. Vendor Participation
• Targeted vendor presence (scaled appropriately for Year 1)
IV. Coaching Education Integration
• Licensing courses and paid educational sessions
V. Hospitality & Premium Access
• Networking reception enhancements
• VIP access opportunities
Revenue Potential
• Pilot Year (2026): $20K–$50K
• Growth Target (2027+): $75K–$150K
5. Organizational Impact
Short-Term
• Increased engagement across membership
• Stronger alignment between VYSA and clubs
• Introduction of new revenue stream Long-Term
• Establish a statewide “must-attend” annual event
• Strengthen sponsor relationships and visibility
• Position VYSA as a leader in youth soccer development and innovation
6. Operational Considerations
• Venue: Centralized location (Fredericksburg / Northern Virginia)
• Hotel partnerships to support overnight attendees
• Internal staffing alignment across departments
• Focused sponsor and partner outreach
7. Key Risks & Mitigation Risk Mitigation
Compressed timeline Implement phased “pilot” approach
Attendance uncertainty Targeted outreach to key stakeholders
Overextension of scope Limit Year 1 scale and focus on execution
AGM overshadowed Maintain structured and required governance session
8. Next Steps (If approved)
• Finalize event name and branding
Option A: Grow the Game – Virginia
Option B: Game On Virginia VYSALeadershipWeekend VYSALeadershipWeekend
• Venue: AlexRenew + (possible hotel partnerships)
• Develop sponsorship packages and begin outreach
• Build detailed operational plan and timeline
• Launch marketing and registration (target: early May)
9. Branding Options
10. Recommendation
Approve the transition of the current AGM format into “Grow the Game – Virginia” or “Game On Virginia” event, beginning with a pilot format in June 26, with the intent to scale into a full flagship event in 27 celebrating our 50th This phased approach allows VYSA to:
• Establish the event foundation
• Deliver a high-quality initial experience
• Build sponsor and stakeholder engagement
• Position for long-term revenue growth
11. Year 1 (2026) Approach – Pilot Format
Given the timeline, the 2026 Summit will focus on:
• AGM integration and core programming (leadership sessions + coaching education)
• Targeted sponsor and partner participation
• High-quality attendee experience
The emphasis will be on execution and foundation-building, with expanded programming, sponsorship, and revenue opportunities planned for 2027.
VYSA BOD MEETING MINUTES and SUMMARY
Date: March 18, 2026
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Recorder: Serkan Orsan
1. Call to Order
President Bill Phillips called the meeting to order and transitioned into the agenda.
2. Roll Call & Quorum
Roll call conducted.
Present:
Bill Phillips, Serkan Orsan, Anne Thompson, Tom (Treasurer), JD (John Davis – arrived late), Brad Powell (remote), Ray (online), Robert Carey (online)
Late Arrival: Richard W. Smith
Absent: Gordon, Corky, John Schlanker
Initial discussion occurred regarding quorum; after confirming attendance, quorum was established
3. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Bill noted that minutes had been distributed late the previous evening and asked for corrections.
• No corrections or additions were raised
• Motion: Tom
• Second: Anne Thompson
• No further discussion
Vote: Unanimous approval
Resolution: Minutes approved as presented.
4.Officer Reports
4.1 Treasurer’s Report – Tom
Tom presented the financial report:
• Year-to-date income: Positive variance of $104,746
• Expenses: Below budgeted projections
• Net year-to-date positive variance: $546,425
Accounts Overview (as of March 18):
• Cash Sweep Account: $363,095
• Operating Account: $50,000
• Vanguard Account: $2,323,139
o Includes ODSL funds now consolidated into Vanguard
o Funds moved from CD into a separate fund within Vanguard
Additional Financial Notes:
• Loan principal and interest payments now reflected in reports
• Accounts Receivable: $222,916 owed to VYSA
• Outstanding checks accounted for
• Recreational registration is down ~8.5% compared to Fall 2024
Discussion:
• Anne requested clarification on whether Vanguard totals included ODSL funds
• Tom confirmed that both VYSA and ODSL funds are included, though tracked separately within the account
No further questions were raised.
4.2 Secretary’s Report – Richard W. Smith
Richard reported:
• Approximately 500–900 new registrations (travel and recreational) since last report
• Too early to determine trends; invoicing not yet completed due to upcoming deadlines
Outstanding Payments:
• Two clubs had not paid Fall fees:
o Fredericksburg Soccer Club
o PW Nova
Update:
• PW Nova has now paid (~$1,100 via GotSport) following follow-up
• Fredericksburg SC has acknowledged the debt and indicated payment is forthcoming
Additional Input (Serkan Orsan):
• Ongoing outreach to additional outstanding receivables
• Example: follow-up on delayed payment (Keeper Wars)
• Increased monitoring of aging receivables
4.3 Membership Application Discussion (Church Entity)
Discussion centered on a church-affiliated soccer program applying for membership.
• Documents submitted relate to the program, not a legal entity
• Board reiterated that membership requires:
o Formal legal entity (e.g., LLC, corporation)
o Proper formation documents
Conclusion:
• Application remains incomplete and not compliant
• Further documentation required before consideration
5. Additional Financial / Operational Discussion
Fredericksburg Soccer Club (FSCI):
• Uses VYSA complex for training and hosted a tournament
• Prior payment issues:
o Initial payment returned
o Partial payment made subsequently
o Outstanding balance remains (facility + registration)
Action:
• Continued monitoring emphasized
• Concern raised about allowing facility use without timely payment compliance
6. President’s Report – Bill Phillips
Bill reported on his attendance at the U.S. Soccer Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Atlanta
6.1 Purpose of Attendance
• Gain clarity on:
o “New Competition” (NewComp) structure
o Potential merger between U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS) and U.S. Club Soccer
6.2 East Region Meeting Issues
• East Region states met prior to AGM
• Bill had submitted questions in advance regarding:
o Competition structure
o Impact on National Championship Series and Cups
Outcome:
• East Region representative (Jess Yeager) stated no questions were submitted
• Questions were not addressed
• USYS Board Chair expressed surprise
Bill’s Response:
• Expressed disappointment in:
o Representation
o Lack of transparency
o Missed opportunity for discussion
6.3 Follow-Up
• USYS Executive Director (Tom Condone) advised submitting questions via formal form
• Bill reiterated that the meeting should have served as the appropriate forum
6.4 Additional Observations
• ECNL organizations appeared to have earlier access to information than USYS state associations
• Raised concerns regarding communication gaps
6.5 New Competition (NewComp) Updates
• Virginia operators:
o NCSL
o VPSL (referred to as DPSL in discussion)
• These organizations will jointly operate the new structure
• Official branding/name expected soon
6.6 AGM Feedback
• Overall event was:
o Well organized
o Highly attended
o Included representation from:
Youth
Professional
Adult/amateur
Adaptive soccer communities
7. Board Discussion
7.1 Governance Structure (Anne)
• Question raised about:
o Transition from regional (East/West) to district-based structure
• Potential need for:
o Additional board representation
• Suggestion:
o Consider Virginia representation if expansion occurs Action:
Bill agreed to seek clarification from USYS.
7.2 New Competition Structure (JD Inquiry)
JD requested clarification on how NewComp will function in Virginia:
• Relationship between NCSL and VPSL
• Whether structure will be:
o Combined
o Hierarchical
o Replacement-based
8. New Competition (Detailed Response – Richard W. Smith)
Richard provided an in-depth overview:
8.1 Structural Overview
• NCSL and VPSL forming a strategic partnership
• Both named as national operators (Feb 27 announcement)
8.2 League Structure
• NCSL will:
o Continue operating as-is
o Remain a committed VYSA member
• NewComp will operate on top of existing structure
8.3 Access Model
• Open-access model:
o Teams from any league eligible
o Not restricted to NCSL/VPSL
• Avoids exclusivity issues seen in prior regional models (e.g., EDP)
8.4 Virginia Implementation
• Team-based competitions (NCSL + VPSL/NPL) expected to merge
• NCSL will oversee unified competition structure
• VPSL to continue managing ECNL Regional League
8.5 Strategic Direction
• Anticipated contraction of ECNL Regional League (Tier 2)
• Focus on:
o Strengthening club development pathways
o Promoting progression to regional and national levels
8.6 Expansion Considerations
• NCSL expanding operations into:
o Southern Virginia (336 teams referenced)
• Discussions ongoing with Southwest region
9. New Business
9.1 Consortium Membership Proposal
Motion Introduced:
• JD moved to join a consortium
Second:
• Second recorded (David)
Discussion:
• Bill offered to share:
o Articles of incorporation
o Bylaws
o Website for review
• Richard W. Smith raised concerns:
o Prefers evaluating internal sponsorship capability first
o Expressed confidence in Serkan’s ability to build partnerships independently
o Questioned value of paying into a consortium before testing internal capacity
• Anne proposed:
o Postponing decision until April meeting
• Serkan indicated agreement with postponement
Outcome:
Decision deferred to April meeting pending additional information.
10. Additional New Business
10.1 Hall of Fame Nomination Discussion
• Bill proposed submitting Adele Delansky for USYS Hall of Fame
Discussion:
• Anne indicated she is already in a Hall of Fame (unclear whether USYS or U.S. Soccer)
Action:
• Board agreed to verify status before proceeding
11. Final Comments
• Bill noted the meeting was lengthy but productive
• Anticipated additional updates in April following:
o Further meetings
o Continued developments around NewComp
FULL SUMMARY
The VYSA board meeting focused primarily on the new New Comp league structure and its impact on Virginia youth soccer. Richard W. presented a comprehensive overview of the new league format, explaining that NCSL and VPSL have partnered to operate New Comp in Virginia, with NCSL continuing to run its existing leagues while adding New Comp as a top-tier competition. The new system will feature 8 conferences across the country, with Virginia teams competing in the MidAtlantic conference, and will require teams to show US Club soccer cards for participation. The meeting also covered financial updates from Tom's treasurer's report showing positive variances, Richard's secretary's report on club registrations and delinquent payments, and discussions about the upcoming State Cup and President's Cup finals scheduled for late May. The board reviewed the recently completed audit which showed no significant issues and discussed potential changes to the referee program's financial structure.
Next steps
• Serkan: Schedule and conduct regional "listening tour" meetings with members in April to gather feedback and articulate VYSA membership benefits.
• Serkan: Distribute updated, detailed job descriptions to all staff next week and conduct a follow-up meeting to review expectations.
• Serkan: Share the partnership deck (with key metrics) with the board once completed by staff.
• Serkan: Complete review of existing partnership agreements and determine opportunities for expansion or extension.
• Serkan/Robert: Continue detailed review of operating expenses and accounts receivable to inform upcoming budget cycle.
• Serkan: Implement a shared Google calendar for all staff and board members, including key dates and deadlines.
• Serkan: Track and report on marketing and communications metrics monthly, including newsletter, social media, and website impressions, and develop strategies to increase engagement.
• Serkan: Follow up with DC United regarding April 4th Top Soccer event and potential sponsorships for Top Soccer, coaching education, and coach Q&As.
• Serkan: Meet with Kalahari Resort to continue discussions initiated by previous executive director.
• Bill: Forward consortium bylaws and articles of incorporation to board members for review.
• Serkan: Present updated financial policies, including expense and reimbursement policies, to the board for approval.
• Board/Finance Committee: Begin budget development process in April, targeting completion by mid-June.
• Richard W.: Attend operator meetings in Atlanta at end of month and report back to board with new information on Newcomp.
• Board: Revisit the topic of joining the consortium in approximately 3 months, after further review and Serkan's assessment of independent sponsorship progress.
• Serkan: Check with ODP staff about the practice of listing (or not listing) club names for selected players and report back.
• Board: Double check if Adele Delansky is in the USYS Hall of Fame, and if not, submit her name for consideration.
• Board/Staff: Ensure referee program is included in future audits or resolve EIN/control issue as discussed.
• Serkan: Continue monitoring and follow-up with clubs (e.g., Fredericksburg Soccer) regarding outstanding payments and accounts receivable.
• Serkan: Update status report format to use "behind schedule/on schedule/ahead of schedule" instead of "in progress" as appropriate.
• Serkan: Add page numbers to reports for easier reference.
• Serkan: Schedule monthly member pulse check meetings starting in April.
• Serkan: Present recommendations and implementation plan for improvements to membership account handling for board consideration.
Northern Virginia Program Planning Discussion
Serkan and Tom discussed their recent visits to Northern Virginia, including meetings with USYS and DC United regarding logistics and opportunities for their programs. Robert Carey joined the conversation to discuss the new budget format, which includes forecasts, and mentioned that Richard requested detailed budget versus actuals information for the cups program. The group agreed to have Ray, who is responsible for the cups, present during future financial discussions to address any cost center performance issues.
Financial and Registration Updates Meeting
The meeting began with roll call, confirming attendance of five members including Bill, Tom, Serkan, Brad, and JD. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved without discussion. Tom presented the Treasurer's Report, noting a positive variance of $546,425 in year-to-date net income, with $363,095 in the cash sweep account and $2,323,139 in the Vanguard account including ODSL money. Richard provided an update on the Secretary's Report, mentioning that 500-900 additional recreational players had registered since the last report, though it's too early to track trends, and two clubs (Fredericksburg Soccer and PW Nova) had not paid their fall fees.
NCSL Payment and League Updates
The meeting covered updates on delinquent payments, with Fredericksburg acknowledging their debt and making a payment through GotSport, while PWNOVA has now also paid. The group discussed a church's membership application, clarifying that only legal entities can be admitted as clubs, not individual programs or departments. Bill reported on his attendance at the U.S. Soccer AGM in Atlanta, where he learned that NCSL has been named a co-operator for Virginia alongside DPSL for the new league format, though the official name has not been announced yet. Bill expressed disappointment that questions about the new comp structure were not addressed during the East Region meeting with the USYS Board of Directors.
New Comp Soccer Competition Launch
The group discussed the structure and implementation of NewComp, a new national team-based soccer competition being launched by NCSL and VPSL. Richard presented details about how New Comp will operate, explaining that it will merge various existing team-based competitions into one unified platform with 8 conferences across the country. The discussion clarified that while New Comp will provide a clear path to national championships, teams can continue playing in other leagues simultaneously, and the competition will be open to teams from any background or platform. The group also discussed how State Cup winners might automatically qualify for New Comp through NCSL and confirmed that the first year will feature 4 regional championships, with the finals likely to be held at the U.S. National Soccer Training Center in Atlanta.
US Soccer Competition Structure Changes
The meeting focused on the implementation of the new US Soccer competition structure and its impact on state associations like VYSA. Richard explained that the new competition, requiring US Club cards for participation, would be governed at the national level by Mark Franklin and a committee of five members. He outlined plans for a fall New Comp competition in Virginia for high school teams (13s and 14s), with applications expected in April, and discussed how this would affect VYSA's structure and value proposition. The discussion highlighted that while some teams might leave US Youth Soccer for US Club due to the new requirements, state associations would likely receive compensation in the first year to offset losses, with the long-term goal being a potential merger of US Youth Soccer and US Club into US Soccer.
NewComp League Structure and Updates
The meeting focused on discussions about the new NewComp league structure and financial updates. Richard explained that NewComp would initially have 8-12 teams across different districts, with teams applying to participate rather than automatically qualifying based on current league standing. He noted that while there would be relegation down to the league, there was no promotion path up at present. The group also discussed broader implications for youth soccer leagues, including how U.S. Soccer's national pathways might affect various competition structures. The conversation ended with a brief finance committee report led by Anne, who noted that while current programs were performing well, they would need to address potential additional expenses at the training center and update financial policies. John also mentioned receiving an audit that was largely positive with no major recommendations.
Audit and Hall of Fame
The group discussed audit issues, with Bill explaining that the problem lies with the lack of official or approved audits rather than the EIN arrangement. Tom suggested including the standing committee in future audits, which Bill and JD supported. The discussion then moved to Hall of Fame nominations, where Bill presented potential candidates including Allie Krieger and Clarence Goodson, though he expressed reservations about nominating Danny Carbassion. The conversation ended with a brief mention of Top Soccer programs and an upcoming call with Bill Ross.
Organizational Operations and Updates
The meeting covered updates on various operational aspects of the organization. Ray provided details on upcoming cup competitions, including finals on May 30-31 for both State Cup and President's Cup, with some teams planning to attend national championships in Utah and Tennessee. Serkan reported on ODP activities, including player nominations and international friendlies, as well as ongoing coaching education courses. The executive director presented a comprehensive status update using a new reporting format, highlighting progress across internal operations, membership, marketing, and partnerships. Key initiatives discussed included implementing a shared internal calendar, conducting member listening
tours in April, exploring partnership opportunities with Publix and DC United, and considering joining a USYS state association consortium for potential collaboration and expertise sharing.
Status Tracking and Engagement Strategies
The team discussed updating status tracking from "in progress" to a clearer schedule-based system using categories like on schedule, behind schedule, and ahead of schedule. Serkan presented a comprehensive report covering organizational structure, financials, and a listening tour initiative, which includes tracking metrics for various communication channels like newsletters and social media. The team discussed strategies to increase engagement, including implementing raffles and giveaways, creating human interest stories with player testimonials, and making ODP programs more visible to members. Serkan noted that ODP has traditionally been player-oriented rather than club-oriented, though he agreed to investigate whether club names could be included in future communications.
Soccer Consortium Decision Postponed
The board discussed joining a consortium of 17 state soccer associations but decided to postpone the decision after Richard W. requested more time to evaluate the potential benefits. Serkan expressed confidence in his ability to secure sponsorships independently and noted that the consortium could provide valuable knowledge and networking opportunities. The board agreed to revisit the topic in three months, allowing Serkan time to demonstrate his capabilities and assess the consortium's value proposition. The meeting also covered financial reporting, with Tom explaining new forecast columns in the financial statements that show projected year-end results based on current performance and remaining budget.
