CASCADIA SOCCER LEAGE - SPRING 2017 U8 - U18

[easoccer]

The sx cup is quite succesful so maybe this will be as well. Are they doing it for free? There is something in there for them. Possibly advertising, mailing list, consultation fees, or the like.

 

[soccer mom]

yes, yes and yes. Email data, contact names, overall brand recognition etc etc. Certainly nobody works for free. We are talking about them are we not? you just mentioned SX Cup. Certainly many on this forum may not have seen the connection.

However all that said there is a required need to organize the Spring season in the lower mainland. To date no volunteer or not for profit group has stepped up. If not for this management group it would been another Spring season with individual clubs and districts running programs with no overall consistency. Some clubs do a great job while others do not. Some clubs have the human resources to be organized while others simply sell Spring and than choose not to fullfill the sale. Children and families feel "ripped off" by the experience and move onto different sports or nothing at all.

This in my opinion is the first step towards providing some structure. I know there have been others in the past that have tried. Lets see how this one works out. Certainly better than nothing at all.

 

[LFC]

However all that said there is a required need to organize the Spring season in the lower mainland. To date no volunteer or not for profit group has stepped up. If not for this management group it would been another Spring season with individual clubs and districts running programs with no overall consistency.
This in my opinion is the first step towards providing some structure. I know there have been others in the past that have tried. Lets see how this one works out. Certainly better than nothing at all.

The USSL Spring/Summer Leage has been very successful since it started almost 9 yrs.
It was based in Surrey with games mainly on turf fields at NAP , CAP , HJORTH , TOM BINNIE & grass fields as well to meet the demand. It was for ages U5 to U12. The Leage was run by the Indo--Canadian Soccer community of Surrey,Vancouver & Abbotsford but everyone was welcome to play either individually or u could enter a full team [ there were a handful of SU & Coastal FC teams/players who participated but could have been alot more] . Fees were around $150- $175 for 12 games. I was personally involved at all levels from coaching,refereeing, field marshal , scheduling ,admin etc and every year we had an increase in membership and at its peak there were around 3500 players U5 to U12 . If the neighboring communities/clubs in Cloverdale, South Surrey, Langley, Ladner, Tsawwassen & Delta had encouraged participation amongst their young players i,m sure there would have been 5000+ players.Its been proved by the USSL that a Spring/Summer Soccer Leage can be very successful.

Due to a split amongst the member clubs 2015 was the last successful USSL season and the Cascadia Leage will fill the void and now with the added full support of all the neighboring communities/clubs it will be very successful .
I wish the Leage the best of luck

 

[TKBC]

I suspect e11eleven understands the value of strengthening their corporate brand and all though there may not be a financial benefit to the company in doing this heavy lifting the management recognizes that having their name attached to the league in some fashion is goid for branding.

Second to that is the benefit to a for profit regional based soccer management company to exist in a strong soccer environment is key. Building programs that strengthen soccer in this community is a win win for everyone.

To e11eleven it makes sense to have a stronger more organized soccer community as that tends to develop a stronger potential customer base for all the other for profit programs they offer.

It's intelligent. It fills a obvious need and as I see it is a win win for everyone.

It's also risky for the company as it can also damage the brand if it fails. However what AAA business owner ever goes into any venture thinking it will fail and without understanding those risks

Well said!

 

[TKBC]

yes, yes and yes. Email data, contact names, overall brand recognition etc etc. Certainly nobody works for free. We are talking about them are we not? you just mentioned SX Cup. Certainly many on this forum may not have seen the connection.

However all that said there is a required need to organize the Spring season in the lower mainland. To date no volunteer or not for profit group has stepped up. If not for this management group it would been another Spring season with individual clubs and districts running programs with no overall consistency. Some clubs do a great job while others do not. Some clubs have the human resources to be organized while others simply sell Spring and than choose not to fullfill the sale. Children and families feel "ripped off" by the experience and move onto different sports or nothing at all.

This in my opinion is the first step towards providing some structure. I know there have been others in the past that have tried. Lets see how this one works out. Certainly better than nothing at all.

Many have previously stepped up...and all have gone by the wayside. Hopefully this one does whatever it is needed to be done different, does it well, and succeeds!

 

[WHITECAPS]

A lot of good discussion here. I make a point of staying off boards/chats LOL, but for clarity, I'll be happy to use this forum to answer questions.

This league is being started out of need. There is a lack of sanctioned soccer for kids to just "play". It's not being set up with anything beyond that in mind. There are players looking to participate in clubs and clubs are looking for the best, sanctioned outlet for their teams. It's certainly not intended to confused the pathway or add a level of play.

So short notes are:

• Any team can participate (if their club and district apply). The club must be affiliated to a district who is a member of BC Soccer.
• A district holds a seat/vote on the league board. The management company does not.
• A club will register the players, form teams, etc...
• The "private company" is available to provide services to the league should the league board want this. Currently, that company is trying to get the league set up simply so that it exists. Should the board choose a different way to run the league, that is perfectly fine and within their rights as they "own" the league.
• There is no rogue approach here. BC Soccer is consulted regularly to ensure the right steps are in place. It's not an alternative pathway. It's a league for teams to play in during the spring season. Remember, clubs develop players, not leagues.
• We expect that the top level of this play will be metro/gold. Of course these leagues don't play in the spring, so it's not an alternative or a competitor. Just a place to play for a few more weeks in better weather (hopefully).
• Should we be involved in the management once the board makes that decision there will be technical standards/expectations on the clubs to ensure that division have the right geographic and competitive balance. Basically we want teams to limit travel to get good competitive games, irrespective of what age/level they are in. Clubs are being engaged in this process so that the standards are set by the group and administered by the league.

The first board meeting is set for Jan 26. Shortly after that meeting, the final sanctioning application will be sent to BC Soccer for consideration. We hope to get sanctioning approved on the first try (Feb), but we have left another month (March meeting) in case changes are needed.

More questions welcomed... Always happy to answer.

Hi, are there any updates on the Cascadian League after your meeting on Jan 26??

 

[LFC]

Many have previously stepped up...and all have gone by the wayside. Hopefully this one does whatever it is needed to be done different, does it well, and succeeds!

The USSL Spring/Summer Leage has been very successful since it started almost 9 yrs ago and it was only petty politics that messed it up otherwise its numbers would have increased even further as they have done every season for 9 yrs. It def would not have gone by the wayside .
It was based in Surrey with games mainly on turf fields at NAP , CAP , HJORTH , TOM BINNIE & grass fields as well to meet the demand.

11eleven Management have a proven track record of organizing their very successful SX Series tournaments and on that basis i can see the Cascadia Leage being a big success with player numbers similar to the USSL peak of 3500+ .
The beautiful warm weather from April to June/July is a great attraction for players & families,

 

[E11even]

Happy to provide an update for everyone.

The first board meeting was held on January 26th. At the meeting there was some excellent discussion around how leagues and spring soccer should operate, etc... The big take aways were:

• A league Chair was appointed
• Those districts present unanimously support E11even Management's role with the league
• The rules were approved (pending some updates) for submission to BC Soccer

At this moment we have all 10 of the local districts signed off to support the league and allow their member clubs to participate. We see this as a fantastic signal moving forward.

We will reconvene a clubs meeting in the next 10 days to educate on the next steps and timelines.

From our perspective, as league managers, we can only be successful if the clubs are organized and able to register teams, assign fields, etc...

In the end, everyone has a job to do and we feel that if the volunteers from the districts focus on governance, the clubs focus on technical programs and getting kids on the field, and E11even Management shoulders the operational responsibilities that we have a chance to get this right, ultimately creating the best possible place for kids of all levels and ages to get on the field and kick a ball in some good weather. That is, after all, what this is about.

As an aside, we have very much appreciated the collaboration of all involved in the process. BC Soccer has been supportive, the Districts have challenged us and asked questions, and the clubs have shown some confidence to start to commit teams.

Year 1 is by no means going to be the finished article. We want to always improve how run events and leagues. We want to create a place where people have the confidence in our organization so that they register with participant clubs to play in the league. We are one part in the attraction, retention, and development of players.

Any questions, please ask. More updates to follow.

 

[southsloper]

Two districts are missing? ie. TCYSA (Tri-Cities - Coquitlam/North Coq/Port Coquitlam/Port Moody) and BDYSA (Burnaby/New West)

 

[E11even]

Two districts are missing? ie. TCYSA (Tri-Cities - Coquitlam/North Coq/Port Coquitlam/Port Moody) and BDYSA (Burnaby/New West)

Here are the districts and their reps.
Alouette District Youth Soccer Association - Mario Santos
Burnaby District Youth Soccer Association - John Berry
Delta Youth Soccer Association - Jim Mackie
Fraser Valley Youth Soccer Association - Mike Thomson
North Shore Youth Soccer Association - Dave Hargreaves
Richmond Soccer Association - Brian Wevers
South District Girls Soccer Association - Bruce McCallum
Surrey Metro Soccer Association - Harj Dhaliwal
Tri-Cities Youth Soccer Association - Joe Basic
Vancouver Youth Soccer Association - Floyd Salazar

 

[southsloper]

Thanks @E11even -- the two that I mentioned (we're in Burnaby) were not on the scrolling banner so was curious...

 

[E11even]

Thanks @E11even -- the two that I mentioned (we're in Burnaby) were not on the scrolling banner so was curious...

We're just updating with logos, etc... Stay tuned, coming.

 

[easoccer]

If more than the surrey and outlying areas are involved this sounds promising on a numbers front.

 

[TKBC]

Here are the districts and their reps.
Alouette District Youth Soccer Association - Mario Santos
Burnaby District Youth Soccer Association - John Berry
Delta Youth Soccer Association - Jim Mackie
Fraser Valley Youth Soccer Association - Mike Thomson
North Shore Youth Soccer Association - Dave Hargreaves
Richmond Soccer Association - Brian Wevers
South District Girls Soccer Association - Bruce McCallum
Surrey Metro Soccer Association - Harj Dhaliwal
Tri-Cities Youth Soccer Association - Joe Basic
Vancouver Youth Soccer Association - Floyd Salazar

Can't wait to see how this league progresses!

 

[ABBYSOCDAD]

I'm excited about any new opportunities for more advanced spring soccer our youth can have!

 

[Tosh]

Here are the districts and their reps.
Alouette District Youth Soccer Association - Mario Santos
Burnaby District Youth Soccer Association - John Berry
Delta Youth Soccer Association - Jim Mackie
Fraser Valley Youth Soccer Association - Mike Thomson
North Shore Youth Soccer Association - Dave Hargreaves
Richmond Soccer Association - Brian Wevers
South District Girls Soccer Association - Bruce McCallum
Surrey Metro Soccer Association - Harj Dhaliwal
Tri-Cities Youth Soccer Association - Joe Basic
Vancouver Youth Soccer Association - Floyd Salazar

What is the proposed fee for each team E11even?

 

[E11even]

The team fee is $157.50.

 

[Tosh]

The team fee is $157.50.

Thanks for the quick response.

Is it safe to say clubs would be adding additional field fee, ref fees, uniform, insurance, etc... to those costs leaving the $157.50 as the administration fee? Just to clarify is the $157.50 for the team or each individual?

 

[E11even]

Yes, correct. The $157.50 is for each team (not player) and covers league administration. We have staff looking after several core areas of the league:

• General Management
• Administration
  
• Scheduling
  
• Registration
• Technical

Essentially that fee is broken into these areas of responsibility.

A club will price their program accordingly, per player, depending on the services they may provide.

 

[E11even]

For those interested and keeping track at home...

• BC Soccer as advised us that their committee is recommending sanctioning, with a few minor adjustments to the rules. This is scheduled to occur at the next BC Soccer board meeting
• 10 districts signed on and currently 25 clubs registered to participate. Team registrations starting to trickle in.

Year 1 is exceeding our expectations and we're keen to see how team registrations go. There is a clear appetite for organized and sanctioned spring soccer. That is encouraging.