What the? So much for unity:
_______________________
?Memorandum
TO: State Presidents, State Associations, & Executive Directors/CEO’s
FR: Board of Directors of US Youth Soccer
DATE: December 15, 2016
SUBJ: Washington Youth Soccer Notice of Withdrawal from US Youth Soccer __________________________________________________ ______________________
The purpose of this memo is to notify you of the Board’s decision to accept Washington Youth Soccer’s written notice to withdraw from US Youth Soccer and pursue sole registration with U.S. Soccer.
In a memo sent to US Youth Soccer dated November 21, 2016, the Executive Director of WYSA advised that their Board had directed staff to begin the process of sole registration with the Federation “as soon as possible.” Upon receipt of the memo, the Chair, Vice Chair, Region IV Chair and CEO of US Youth Soccer all reached out to the Executive Director asking to meet and resolve their issues. During those conversations, it was confirmed that this transition was happening and could occur as “early as tomorrow or as late as next year.”
We value Washington Youth Soccer’s long-standing membership with US Youth Soccer, but are profoundly disappointed by the unprecedented action taken by their Board to unilaterally leave the Association without forewarning or consultation. They made the choice to leave US Youth Soccer without giving us the opportunity to address their issues or propose any solutions conducive to a favorable outcome.
Given the uncertainty surrounding when WYSA intends to leave, our Board took the following actions to protect our players and events, which include the following:
1. Formally accept WYSA’s resignation from US Youth Soccer effective as of January 1, 2017.
2. RescindtheofferforWYSAtohostthe2017USYouthSoccer Regional Championships in June 2017.
3. Revoke from WYSA any and all benefits associated with membership to US Youth Soccer, including access to programs and competitions, (i.e., National and Regional Presidents Cups, the National Championship Series, Regional and National Leagues and ODP).
4. Explore various other contingencies, which include taking steps to find a replacement organization in the State of Washington.
US Youth Soccer will continue to honor its obligations to the players residing in the State of Washington who are registered for the current (2016 - 2017) seasonal year. Those youth players will be eligible to continue to participate in our events, but the logistics and administration will be handled through the national office until such time as a replacement state association can been named.
We deeply regret the decision made by WYSA to leave US Youth Soccer, but were left with no alternative other than to accept their notice. The consequence of WYSA’s action, and the manner in which it was taken, not only threatens their 90,000 registered players, but undermines US Youth Soccer nationally. The future success of US Youth Soccer depends on the ability to attract and keep our members. Therefore, we are mindful that this situation may have caused unnecessary unrest.
In the next few weeks, we anticipate having the opportunity to communicate more information regarding this matter, along with action steps US Youth Soccer will take to assist our states in growing the game and growing stronger together. As always, we are ready to work in partnership with our members.
Looking forward to seeing everyone in Los Angeles. If you have any questions in the interim, please do not hesitate to call the national office.
Sincerely,
__________________________ Jesse Harrell
US Youth Soccer Chair
___________________________ Christopher Moore
US Youth Soccer CEO
_______________________
?Memorandum
TO: State Presidents, State Associations, & Executive Directors/CEO’s
FR: Board of Directors of US Youth Soccer
DATE: December 15, 2016
SUBJ: Washington Youth Soccer Notice of Withdrawal from US Youth Soccer __________________________________________________ ______________________
The purpose of this memo is to notify you of the Board’s decision to accept Washington Youth Soccer’s written notice to withdraw from US Youth Soccer and pursue sole registration with U.S. Soccer.
In a memo sent to US Youth Soccer dated November 21, 2016, the Executive Director of WYSA advised that their Board had directed staff to begin the process of sole registration with the Federation “as soon as possible.” Upon receipt of the memo, the Chair, Vice Chair, Region IV Chair and CEO of US Youth Soccer all reached out to the Executive Director asking to meet and resolve their issues. During those conversations, it was confirmed that this transition was happening and could occur as “early as tomorrow or as late as next year.”
We value Washington Youth Soccer’s long-standing membership with US Youth Soccer, but are profoundly disappointed by the unprecedented action taken by their Board to unilaterally leave the Association without forewarning or consultation. They made the choice to leave US Youth Soccer without giving us the opportunity to address their issues or propose any solutions conducive to a favorable outcome.
Given the uncertainty surrounding when WYSA intends to leave, our Board took the following actions to protect our players and events, which include the following:
1. Formally accept WYSA’s resignation from US Youth Soccer effective as of January 1, 2017.
2. RescindtheofferforWYSAtohostthe2017USYouthSoccer Regional Championships in June 2017.
3. Revoke from WYSA any and all benefits associated with membership to US Youth Soccer, including access to programs and competitions, (i.e., National and Regional Presidents Cups, the National Championship Series, Regional and National Leagues and ODP).
4. Explore various other contingencies, which include taking steps to find a replacement organization in the State of Washington.
US Youth Soccer will continue to honor its obligations to the players residing in the State of Washington who are registered for the current (2016 - 2017) seasonal year. Those youth players will be eligible to continue to participate in our events, but the logistics and administration will be handled through the national office until such time as a replacement state association can been named.
We deeply regret the decision made by WYSA to leave US Youth Soccer, but were left with no alternative other than to accept their notice. The consequence of WYSA’s action, and the manner in which it was taken, not only threatens their 90,000 registered players, but undermines US Youth Soccer nationally. The future success of US Youth Soccer depends on the ability to attract and keep our members. Therefore, we are mindful that this situation may have caused unnecessary unrest.
In the next few weeks, we anticipate having the opportunity to communicate more information regarding this matter, along with action steps US Youth Soccer will take to assist our states in growing the game and growing stronger together. As always, we are ready to work in partnership with our members.
Looking forward to seeing everyone in Los Angeles. If you have any questions in the interim, please do not hesitate to call the national office.
Sincerely,
__________________________ Jesse Harrell
US Youth Soccer Chair
___________________________ Christopher Moore
US Youth Soccer CEO
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