Looking Backward. . . and Into the Future

Players, Coaches, Parents, and Friends:

Happy New Year from DC Stoddert Soccer!!!

As we end 2008 and start a New Year, I write this letter, perhaps fittingly for year end, reflecting on the end of my term as Chairman. . . and on the future of this organization with its new leadership and renewed energy.  .

First, the endings.  As of December 31, 2008, I complete four years as Chairman of the Board; plus one more before that as Chairman-Elect; and about six more years before that as a parent, assistant coach, coach, commissioner, certified referee, parent, and Board member.  All of those hats have brought responsibilities and frustrations.  But, most assuredly, all have been learning experiences and all have been a great deal of fun.  I know that I will miss it.  And, most especially, I will miss the people I have met along the way who have become good friends and good colleagues.  I encourage anybody who likes kids or who likes soccer to get involved!!  The rewards far outweigh the frustrations.

As for the beginnings, as of January 1, Dave Sarley assumes the duties of Chairman of the Board.  The club is very fortunate to welcome Dave to this position.  He has been involved with DC Stoddert Soccer for about as long as I have – and he has worn every conceivable hat with the organization.  He has been an Open Commissioner, served as Boys Travel Commissioner, is a certified referee, a longstanding Board member and Vice Chairman, and has worked on several initiatives in recent years to expand our outreach programs to grow the game of soccer in our community.  Perhaps most significantly, Dave is a "soccer guy."  He grew up in a soccer culture and will emphasize the development of DC Stoddert Soccer as a soccer organization

With that introduction, let me expand a bit on where we have been the last five years, what we have accomplished, what work still needs to be done, and where I think we are headed in a few key areas.  But notice at the outset that I focus on "we." "We" are far more than me and far more than a few Board members.  "We" represent the sum of the employees, volunteers, coaches, managers and others involved in this organization.  It takes everybody to make progress.

Recreational ("Open") Soccer

Saturday recreational soccer for kids 5 through 18 will always be the heart of DC Stoddert Soccer.  It is a big challenge to get almost 5,000 players on the field every Saturday morning.  This is the base of our soccer pyramid of players, and it must be at the heart of what we do.  Beyond the issue of securing fields, which I will address further below, we have been trying to improve our communications and organization, to ease and facilitate the job of the volunteers.  This means utilizing the technology available.  It also means that training, guidelines, and expectations for volunteers, coaches, parents and others must be clearly established in order that the system will work smoothly. 

When we speak of developing DC Stoddert as a soccer club, it also means that we need to ensure that coaches have the tools to teach the game and that players learn the skills that will enhance their enjoyment of the game as they get older.  This does not mean more competitive or less recreational.  It means more effective training, more opportunities, and hopefully better soccer for more players.

Our Open Committee has been energized under the leadership of veteran volunteer Greg Robb, and we have already begun experimenting with various new training programs for coaches, players, and parents.  I expect that these and other new initiatives will be tested in coming seasons.

Travel Soccer

In my first year as Chair-Elect the Board hired Kate Samsot as our first ever full time Director of the Travel Soccer.  The goal was to develop a more consistent, coherent, and eventually more competitive travel soccer program.  Kate has made great strides since then, hiring and working with a fantastic set of professional coaches.  For ages U9 through U12, she has patiently transitioned the program from a loose collection of teams to a more integrated "academy" program.  This approach is clearly consistent with leading edge youth soccer programs, and allows for more consistent training in accordance with an age-appropriate training curriculum.  With thoughtful management of rosters, it also allows player movement among squads between seasons to match what is best for the development of an individual player's skills and confidence (which are more important than winning!) as that player matures.

Kate and Dave will continue to develop this program to allow opportunities for all players in the Travel program, to develop and play at the highest level that they can consistent with the player's commitment and skills.  This is a key element to evolving as a soccer club.

Fields

As long as I have been involved in DC Stoddert Soccer, fields have been a chronic challenge.  It has been a focus of our attention for the last four years, and I have written on the topic several times.  We have made some progress, but this continues to be a frustration.  Suffice it to say, the demand for field time exceeds the available supply, and there is insufficient community interest – be it from the politicians, the schools, or the public – to make resolving this issue a focus or a reality.  We as an organization are being asked to step up and pay greater fees to secure fields.  Whether this is always just and fair may be debatable, but the debate now is largely beside the point.  The issue is the resource limitations of a non-profit organization such as ours.  Without community support, the Board will need to continue to focus on field solutions and fundraising to support those solutions.

Outreach

Part of the mission of DC Stoddert Soccer is to grow the game and to provide opportunities for children and young adults throughout our metropolitan community. We have a well-established scholarship program and have been very successful over the years in supporting both recreational and travel players who cannot otherwise afford to play.  This is engrained in the culture of our organization.

Notwithstanding this very real history, both the reality and the image of our organization in the community often fall short of our aspirations.  As a metropolitan soccer club, and as the largest in the District, it is my hope that efforts to expand our base and increase the diversity of our players will increase.  Dave Sarley's leadership has already lead to our recent adoption of the CityFC program, which is an excellent illustration of how building a soccer club can also involve community outreach and community service.

Best regards for the New Year and the seasons ahead!!  I will be watching the development of the organization with great interest and will lend whatever support I can.

David Repka

DC Stoddert Soccer

January 4, 2009