Committee Present: Sally D’Italia (Director), Amy Thompson, Kley Parkhursst, Carmen Nichols, Doug Walls, Michelle White (Administrator)
VSA Heat Blue Team Members Present: Head Coach, Team Manager, 2 players, 2 parents
Meeting Notes
VSA Heat Blue WAGS Bracket – 16 Penalty Points
The meeting started at approximately 8:15pm. After introductions were made, the R&D Director explained the hearing procedures.
The VSA Heat Blue Head Coach (VSA HC) stated that he became the HC this spring, and he was not a team official at the time when the penalty points were accumulated in the fall 2010 season. He further states that he has never appeared in front of the Committee before, and VSA Heat Blue presently has not incurred any additional penalties. Three of the players who accumulated 12 points are no longer with the team.
The VSA Heat Blue Team Manager (VSA TM) stated the 16 penalty points were accumulated in one match, and the team has not received any more cards since that time. After the match, the VSA TM in conjunction with the previous coach issued an email to the team explaining this type of behavior is not acceptable, and they did not want to establish a negative reputation. Subsequently, they held a team meeting to discuss it further with the players, and reviewed the WAGS’ code of conduct.
A Committee Member commended the team for taking immediate action to prevent any future inappropriate behavior.
Based on the testimony and facts presented at the hearing, the Committee directs the following:
The Committee commends VSA Heat Blue for taking the accumulation of 16 penalty points very seriously and putting into place a proactive program to better improve their players. The Committee decided to issue the team an Oral Censure for their actions. . The VSA Heat Blue will carry forward 8 penalty points in the next season in which the team participates in WAGS. The team is reminded that any accumulation of penalty points will automatically be reviewed by the R&D Committee under WAGS Rule N.1.d.
VSA Heat Blue WAGS Bracket was informed that they have the right to appeal the decision of the WAGS R & D Committee according to Rule O, Protest and Appeals Procedures.
Sincerely,
Sally D’Italia, Director, WAGSL R&D Committee
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Committee Members Present: Sally D’Italia (Director), Amy Thompson, Kley Parkhurst, Doug Walls, Carmen Nichols, Michelle White (Administrator)
LMVSC Team Members Present: Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Team Manager, Assistant Team Manager, Club Representative, Executive Director, 18 players, 13 parents
Meeting Notes
LMVSC Patriots – HS/1 - 32 Penalty Points Hearing
The meeting started at approximately 8:45pm. After introductions were made, the LMVSC Patriots Head Coach (LMVSC HC) began his statement.
The LMVSC HC stated that he has played soccer for country and club, and he has been coaching this team since the players were 13/14 years old. He is very embarrassed to be in front of the Committee for such an egregious amount of penalty points, and he takes full responsibility for his team’s actions. He was out of the country for the May 15, 2011 game in which 19 penalty points were accumulated. He apologized to the Committee as he does not condone the actions of his players.
The LMVSC Patriots Assistant Coach (LMVSC AC) began his testimony by apologizing to the Committee for the actions of his team. At the May 15th game, he stated that he had difficulty in getting his players to control their verbal comments on the field. He further stated that he did remove a player from the field when the player continued to exhibit dissenting behavior. The LMVSC AC introduced to the Committee several steps the team will implement to obtain respectful behavior from its players both at practices and games. The team will review and re-sign the WAGS Code of Conduct. Also, there will be additional consequences imposed by team officials for players who violate the WAGS Code of Conduct. Any player who displays disrespectful behavior resulting in further penalties will serve additional suspensions imposed by the team. Players will serve team imposed suspensions for violations incurred from the spring 2011 season. Players will be removed from games before behavior escalates in which a card may be received. The AC further stated that the players must be respectful at practices, and any player who is incapable of following the WAGS Code of Conduct or the team’s additional code of conduct will be asked to leave the team.
The LMVSC Executive Director supports the team’s action plan and the enforcement of the consequences stipulated in this plan.
The LMVSC Club Representative stated that the club supports the team’s action plan and ensures it will help the team implement the plan.
The LMVSC Patriots Team Manager (LMVSC TM) apologizes for having to appear in front of the Committee. The team takes the penalty point accumulation very seriously. She knows that changes do not occur overnight, and supports the coaches’ action plan.
A Committee Member asked the coaches when the retroactive suspensions will begin to which the LMVSC AC stated the suspension will be served at the beginning of the season. He also stated that one player may not be eligible to attend a preseason tournament.
A Committee Member asked about the culture on the team and the lack of leadership that allows the accumulation of 32 penalty points. The LMVSC HC responded that he felt this is one of the best teams he coaches so he was surprised to learn of the May 15th game and the 19 penalty points accumulated during his absence. However, he believes they can do better as a team.
The LMVSC AC stated that they failed to recognize a pattern leading up to the May 15th game. He also stated that the teams’ disrespectful nature blossomed this spring season.
The LMVSC Patriots Assistant Team Manager (LMVSC ATM) stated that the team parents “police” each other on the sidelines in order to maintain respectful behavior. The coaches continually try to have the players behave appropriately. However, some players will question the referees’ call as well as disrespect the coaches’ at practice.
The LMVSC Executive Director added that the U15/U16 year is a transition period for girls and their behavior. She commends the team officials for taking these current chains of events seriously, and executing an action plan with strict consequences to prevent future inappropriate behavior.
The LMVSC HC stated that this is a good group of girls, and he has never encountered much disrespectful behavior during practices. When it does occur, he suspends the player from practice, and speaks to her parents upon pick up.
The LMVSC TM concluded that this team has never previously encountered these types of issues until this spring season. This spring was the first time she had to complete a red card sit out form.
A Committee Member asked the LMVSC Team Capitan (LMVSC TC) what kind of leadership she offers to her teammates in trying to prevent this type of behavior. The LMVSC TC responded that she tells her teammates to remain calm because the team needs them. She further states that she tries her best, but despite her efforts sometimes her teammates don’t listen. She apologized to the LMVSC Executive Director for her teammates’ actions, and feels that she possibly could have done more to prevent such behavior.
A Committee Member explains to the players they need to remain calm despite a referees’ decision.
The LMVSC AC concluded by apologizing to the Committee for the penalty point accumulation. They do not condone such behavior, and he hopes the Committee allows them to enforce their action plan and solve these problems.
The Committee appreciated the fact that the team and club have taken some steps to address the issue.
However, the Committee was extremely disappointed that a number of the points accumulated were due to dissent. This demonstrates a lack of respect for team officials, referees, and teammates. The Committee also believes that this demonstrates a lack of leadership by team officials by failing to address the problem in a timely and appropriate manner.
Based on the testimony and facts presented at the hearing, the Committee directs the following:
1. The team will be assessed a fine equal to the amount of League fees.
2. Submit signed documentation of the players who will serve team imposed suspensions at the beginning of the fall 2011 season to the WAGS R&D Director.
3. Submit WAGS’ Code of Conduct signed by all players to the WAGS’ R&D Director no later than September 8, 2011.
4. Submit Team Code of Conduct signed by all players to the WAGS’ R&D Director no later than September 8, 2011.
5. Submit an Action Plan to the WAGS’ R&D Director no later than September 8, 2011. The Plan shall outline the club and team’s efforts to improve player behavior and attitude; and it shall outline the steps taken to increase the professional knowledge of the HC and AC regarding the growth and development of teenage players.
6. The LMVSC HC will serve a one game suspension when 4 points or more are accumulated for any card issued to a player or team official for dissent (DI)and/or offensive, abusive or insulting language (OAIL)during the Fall 2011 season. Any subsequent cards issued to players or team officials, after the first served suspension, will result in an additional one game suspension for the HC for each subsequent card issued. Documentation will be provided to the WAGS’ R&D Director of any served suspensions. Failure by the HC to honor these suspensions will result in further sanctions.
7. Both the HC and AC are required to the WAGS Coaches Session in January 2012. Documentation must be submitted to the WAGS R&D Director prior to the start of League play Spring 2012.
8. LMVSC Patriots will carry forward 16 penalty points into the Fall 2011 WAGS season. As a result, the team, including the HC and AC, will be placed on probation for the Fall 2011 WAGS season. Any additional penalty points received will result in an immediate hearing and further sanctions shall be awarded, up to and including additional fines, loss of home fields and additional suspensions.
The LMVSC Patriots HS/1was informed that they have the right to appeal the decision of the WAGS R & D Committee according to Rule O, Protest and Appeals Procedures.
Sincerely,
Sally D’Italia, Director, WAGSL R&D Committee
