News & Info

Executive Board Notes
August 23, 2010
-Approved Paul Halford's attendance and travel to the Leaders in Football Conference he was invited to attend in London.
-Approved revised budget process; will now begin in December with proposed budget to be completed in mid-February.
-Defeated a motion to move the Annual General Meeting to March.
-Approved the proposed criteria for the PA West Soccer Hall of Fame; the committee will proceed with developing a nomination and selection process.
-PA West Soccer referees announced the desire to open their own checking account.  It was discussed they will need to have all the necessary documents in place to open an account separate from PA West Soccer.
-It was agreed to present the various policies (conflict of interest, removal policy, financial policy, etc.) for discussion at the next meeting.

PA West Soccer Anounces PA West Nights With The Crew
Mark August 28 and October 24 on your calendar...Those are the dates of the PA West Nights at Crew Stadium in Columbus.  On August 28, the Crew hosts FC Dallas in a 4:00 PM match; PA West Soccer members can buy upper sideline seats for just $10.00 (regularly $26.00), plus it's one of the Crew's World Famous Buck-A-Brat Night.  On October 24 the Philadelphia Union visit Columbus for a 4:00 PM game; it's also Fan Appreciation Night.  Families can buy endline seats for just $15.00 (regularly $23.00).

For information on either of these games or to order tickets vist the special PA West Night With the Crew web site.

AGM Wraps With New Officers, New Budget
The 2010 Annual General Meeting of PA West Soccer Association concluded around 4:30 on this past Sunday afternoon with two new members elected to the Executive Board.  The meeting was delayed due to an accident on I-79 at the Slippery Rock exit preventing many attendees, including Executive Board members, from arriving on time but once the meeting was called to order it was all business.

The 2010-11 Budget was approved by a near unanimous vote.  One discussion point was the implementation of online registration during the upcoming year and its affect on the budget.  Most were more concerned with the long term cost than the projected cost in the 2010-11 budget.  The budget also included fee adjustments (listed below) to player and team registration fees.

Two amendments were presented for consideration.  The first was a provision to allow the Executive Board to remove any Board member who fails to perform their required duties or behave in an unethical manner.  The second was a clarification to the Administrative Rules as stated in the bylaw.  The first provision was thought to have been defeated in a narrow vote missing the required 2/3 vote but the association solicitor noted that bylaws only needed a majority vote to pass; due to the concern of the state council the proposal was withdrawn for revision to include suggestions from the council.  The second provision was approved by a wide margin.

In the elections, Thilo Boensch claimed a close ballot count over Jim Van Kirk to succeed Stan Hunter, who was retiring after 18 years as the Vice President-Youth.  Tom Beecher was elected as the Treasurer.  Dave Derry and newcomer Bill Kamienik were elected to the Member At-Large posts with a narrow decision over Jim Van Kirk.  Van Kirk had served the past two years as a Member At-Large.

Other notes from the meeting...Affinity Sports presented information about the new online registration program that will be implemented during the 2010-11 season...a coaching presentation about the importance of coaching at the community club level in preparing kids, like those on our ODP team that participated in the 2010 ODP National Championships...and...Natalie Schwoeble honored Stan Hunter's contribution to the association. 

Registration Fees For 2010-11 Season
    Player Fees
      In-house/Recreational - 13.50 per player
      Div 3B-6 - 14.50 per player
    Team Fees
      Div 3B-6 - 25.00 per team
      Classic U11-U12 (8 v 8) - 350.00
      Div 1-Div 3A U12-U19 - 425.00 (per team if sponsoring 5 or more teams)
      Div 1-Div 3A U12-U19 - 500.00 (per team if sponsoring 2-4 teams)
      Div 1-Div 3A U12-U19 - 600.00 (if sponsoring only 1 team)

All player and team fee payments are due at time of registration with district or division registrar.  Fees are only payable by club check.  Checks must be payable PA West Soccer.

ABOUT THE PA WEST SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Pennsylvania West State Soccer Association (PA West) is the National State Association of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the United State Youth Soccer Association (USYSA), and the United States Amateur Soccer Association (USASA).  It is a not-for-profit Pennsylvania corporation, allowing tax deductible donations and contributions to the fullest extent of the law. PA West State Soccer Association has a current membership of over 60,000 youth players, 2,000 amateur adult players, 7,000 active coaches, 2,300 referees and thousands of volunteers involved in its network of over 120 local member clubs (and growing) across the western half of the state of Pennsylvania.  The State Association's boundaries are the western border of Pennsylvania east to the eastern boundaries of  Potter, Clinton, Centre, Huntingdon, and Fulton counties. PA West Soccer Association is organized to provide non-profit, public, educational soccer development and competition.  Its leadership is comprised of a Board of Directors in which both the Youth Board and Amateur Board are represented.  The organization's offices are located in Monroeville, PA, just outside of Pittsburgh, offering a full-time staff of five to assist its membership. PA West Soccer Association offers in-house programs for U5 to U19 and travel programs for U10 to U19.  The Classic Division is offered for U12 to U19 players seeking a higher level of play. TOPSoccer offers soccer programs designed for children with disabilities.  PA West State Olympic Teams identify players for regional and national team consideration.  Amateur leagues are available for the adult player and adult Amateur Select teams provide opportunities for regional and national tournament play.

PA West Soccer Association members receive numerous benefits and services to support their club activities.  The association offers coaching license programs, player development clinics, referee training and certification courses, referee development and assessment, a variety of tournaments, a State Association newspaper - Touchline, a video library, medical and liability insurance, and much more.