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 4 years as Chairman of the Board; plus one more before that as Chairman-Elect; and about 6 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.