Special Board of Directors Meeting
Date: September 27, 2015
Location: Merryman Center, Comference Roon #3
Attending: Webster, Poland, Duma, Eschenmann, Bass, Lattimer, Kinney, Stanaland,
Bortz
Not in Attendance: Pender, Hudson, Lawrence, Boyle
School Age Registration vs. Birth Year Registration:
 US Soccer Mandate states: Must shift to Birth Year Registration calendar vs. the
School Year Cut Off Registration calendar
Impact on Recreational Program
NRU runs our recreational program independent of any governing body therefore
the US Soccer mandate does not need to be enforced. In reviewing the pros and
cons of making this change at the recreational level, the feeling is that we would
want to continue our current practice of allowing rec players to play age, or grade,
appropriate:
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Age Appropriate – Players born within the calendar year would register with other
players also in that calendar year.
Grade Appropriate – In some instances players are in a grade that falls outside of the
norm for age appropriate play (Ex. A 2015 6th grader that was born in July, 2004). This
player may register to “play up” with 6th graders that were born during the 2003
calendar year.
Pros – The benefit of keeping this policy intact is that we will allow players that
create friendships in their social circle at school and within other activities to play
together in the recreational soccer program.
Cons – There will be a few situations where players preparing to transition into the
Academy Program will be separated from their rec teammates. For example, a
young U8 rec player playing with true 9 and under teammates will not be able to
transition to the Academy program and would need to complete one more season of
U8 prior to joining the 9 and under Academy team.
Impact on Academy Program
The Academy Program will follow the Travel Program.
Pros – Allows for a smooth transition to the Travel Program.
Cons - This means that younger Academy players will need to play a 3rd year within
the Academy. In order to continue to ensure continued development, the Club will
have the older U10 players participated in the BRSL and attend tournaments.
Impact on Travel Program
Jeff provided an assessment of the impact on each group based on 2015 numbers.
Each year player pools change in size based on new players being introduced from
outside the club, players leaving for other sports. The goal of this evaluation was to
identify if any age group would be significantly impacted by a Club change to
calendar year. Our finding is that there is not a significant impact on any particular
travel team based on our current player pools. 2016 estimates are:
Age 9 and Under Boys – 19 players (8v8 teams)
Age 10 and Under Boys – 27
Age 11 and Under Boys – 22
Age 12 and Under Boys – 27 (11v11 teams)
Age 13 and Under Boys –28
Age 14 and Under Boys – 25
Age 15 and Under Boys – 22 (this number would be to low for two teams.)
Age 9 and Under Girls
Age 10 and Under Girls
Age 11 and Under Girls – 10 U10s moving up
Age 12 and Under Girls – 16 (11v11 teams)
Age 13 and Under Girls – 16
Age 14 and Under Girls – 18
Age 15 and Under Girls – 13 plus Christiansburg players
Pros – Adopting the calendar year policy will keep us competitive with all other
clubs that adopt this policy. Specifically at major tournaments and State Cup our
teams would be at a significant disadvantage if we do not change, simply because we
will be playing with younger players. Our Travel Program’s ability to be successful
at these events determines the level of tournaments/college showcases that we can
attend in the future.
The new team alignments allow players to train with new players and coaches.
Exposure to new player skill sets and coaching techniques can be a positive
experience to challenge players to grow and adapt.
Cons – Teams across all ages will be split in half and social/team dynamics will
suffer.
Next Steps:
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Jeff is going to reach out to other Clubs that we compete against to determine
whether or not they will adopt the new Calendar year mandate. SOCA has
already said that they will adopt this policy. SVU has indicated that they are
likely to adopt the policy.
In our Annual Meeting communication we will share with Members that this
topic will be addressed and that we welcome them to attend and share their
thoughts.
Update the original communication to clarify the alignment of age groups for the
travel program. In the original communication we shared that players would be
moving up (Ex. A current older U12 would join next seasons U14 team) when
further clarification shows that actually players will either be staying with their
normal progression, or in some cases, repeating a year:
o A current older U12 will move to next seasons 13 and Under team
o A current younger U12 will repeat next season as a 12 and Under team.
Jeff and Matt have identified a transition plan to help Travel and Academy
players and coaches adapt to this change:
o In the Winter, technical sessions will be offered by calendar year groups.
This will allow players and coaches to get a sense of their future
teammates and skill sets.
o In the Spring, technical sessions will be offered by calendar year groups.
This will be designed to allow new groups of players to compete with
each other to allow for equal preparation/training for tryouts.
Motion to end meeting. Motion passed.
Meeting Ended at: 7:33 p.m.