New SRI rule limiting releases to 5 per non-SRI team

[Unregistered]

Hijacked

Yes, they did make a mess of this one.

The top of SRI is made up of genuinely nice guys. Steve, Oscar et al are good people whom I believe are trying their hardest. The problem is that their own kids are no longer playing youth soccer so they are not in touch with what RI parents TODAY are dealing with in the ever-evolving world of New England youth travel sports.

I'm guessing that the genesis of this rule started with either some town association prez or some premier club prez (or both) complaining about losing kids and/or coaches to an a non-SRI club. Could've been Cumberland complaining about the NE Wave (almost all NE Wave teams are made up of Cumberland girls). Could've been Lincoln complaining about RISC (Lincoln boys make up the majority of RISC's 6 teams). Could've been several other associations or clubs. At the same time, premier club prez's (Black Watch, Bruno, etc.) don't like having to compete with non-SRI, RI-based clubs who register in Mass. So, they probably whined to SRI that "we can't compete on a regional level unless we get access to ALL the best RI kids..."

So, Steve, Oscar, etc. tried to do something to protect their constituents, a.k.a. town and club prez's, from having their programs fall apart. Thus, the "5 release limit" rule and "no state cup for non-SRI teams" rules were born.

The problem is that SRI officials didn't consider both sides of the issue. Maybe the town associations in question were losing kids because they were doing a bad job of satisfying the needs of their town's parents and kids. Maybe the premier clubs were performing poorly as well. I can tell you from my own personal experience - this is probably the case.

So, now they've got this silly rule on the books that SRI has already admitted that they have no intention of enforcing for league play (by issuing waivers). If and when they enforce it for state cup play, the only thing that will be accomplished is the de-valuation of the state cup. You know that NE Wave parents are going to say to Rays parents "you never beat the Wave in state cup, so you're not really state champs." You think the Rays girls - who are "protected" by SRI - are going to appreciate that when they hear that in school, clinics or tournaments from Wave girls? Same goes for the Bayside, Bruno or Black Watch boys.

How many boys or girls were influenced by these rules to stay within SRI-member clubs this June? From what I observed, non-SRI clubs such as the Wave and RISC had great turnouts for tryouts. Meanwhile, Bruno and Black Watch struggled to find enough kids to fill out rosters in certain age groups.

(To be fair, I just happened to be at Bayside's tryouts at Bryant - my son was playing an AAU baseball game there. Bayside had a HUGE turnout especially for their boys teams. It just proved to me that the winningest clubs naturally attract the best players and the most players.)

Do we need to get rid of the SRI Board? Who knows? But the SRI Board needs to get back in touch with how the youth soccer landscape has changed dramatically in the past 3-4 years. Obviously, these rules are not what any parent of talented youth soccer players would be in favor of. Parents want choices. SRI needs to understand what parents want for their kids, not what town associations and clubs want for their programs.

Enough already. We're sick of reading the same lonnnnnngggggg drawn out answer. No matter what the topic we try to discuss you come back to this topic. "how about that great so and so player....?". Your answer.,,," yeah so and so are great, but too bad they can't choose to play for a non SRI club and still compete in Stat Cup..,,". Stop hijacking this forum. At least this time you created a thread to beat your drum in. Do us all a favor and stay in this thread.

[Unregistered]

Enough already. We're sick of reading the same lonnnnnngggggg drawn out answer. No matter what the topic we try to discuss you come back to this topic. "how about that great so and so player....?". Your answer.,,," yeah so and so are great, but too bad they can't choose to play for a non SRI club and still compete in Stat Cup..,,". Stop hijacking this forum. At least this time you created a thread to beat your drum in. Do us all a favor and stay in this thread.

LOL! If you don't like it, don't read it.

The beauty of all media - like this forum - is that you have a choice. Change the channel, turn off the radio...if you don't like looooooooonnngggg drawn-out posts, you're just a click away from relief.

But, with respect to your wishes, I've prepared a personal, short and sweet response to your post. It's only 2 words. Figure it out :)

By the way, none of this changes the fact that I'm right. Just ask me.

[Unregistered]

LOL! If you don't like it, don't read it.

The beauty of all media - like this forum - is that you have a choice. Change the channel, turn off the radio...if you don't like looooooooonnngggg drawn-out posts, you're just a click away from relief.

But, with respect to your wishes, I've prepared a personal, short and sweet response to your post. It's only 2 words. Figure it out :)

By the way, none of this changes the fact that I'm right. Just ask me.

Big of you to say "Thank you" after getting set straight.

[Unregistered]

Big of you to say "Thank you" after getting set straight.

LOL. Good one :) I deserved that.

[Unregistered]

Personal repartee aside, is there anyone out there who can explain how this rule benefits RI soccer families?

I already know how it benefits SRI clubs and associations.

there's got to be a benefit to the parents who pay and their kids who play, right?

[Unregistered]

Personal repartee aside, is there anyone out there who can explain how this rule benefits RI soccer families?

I already know how it benefits SRI clubs and associations.

there's got to be a benefit to the parents who pay and their kids who play, right?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

[Unregistered]

Personal repartee aside, is there anyone out there who can explain how this rule benefits RI soccer families?

I already know how it benefits SRI clubs and associations.

there's got to be a benefit to the parents who pay and their kids who play, right?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

[Unregistered]

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

ok.ok. This rule is obviously a mistake. It really doesn't benefit anyone.
SRI will be smaller. It won't stop anyone from leaving their town league to play on a club team. The club teams will not be protected from kids leaving for clubs in other states. ( I would love to see SRI not grant a waiver )

The current hierarchy of SRI is trying to please individuals without the necessary foresight to see the pitfalls. I have spoken to some of the people that wanted the changes.
These guys don't even know what is best for them.

They believe that the RI teams are getting watered down by having too many teams. This just isn't the case. The competition in reality is better run MA teams. If the RI teams would just step up to the plate, do a good job promoting and running their programs, they could be strong. SRI is making protectionism rules. SRI needs to drop this tactic of protectionism and take a regional approach.

[Unregistered]

ok.ok. This rule is obviously a mistake. It really doesn't benefit anyone.
SRI will be smaller. It won't stop anyone from leaving their town league to play on a club team. The club teams will not be protected from kids leaving for clubs in other states. ( I would love to see SRI not grant a waiver )

The current hierarchy of SRI is trying to please individuals without the necessary foresight to see the pitfalls. I have spoken to some of the people that wanted the changes.
These guys don't even know what is best for them.

They believe that the RI teams are getting watered down by having too many teams. This just isn't the case. The competition in reality is better run MA teams. If the RI teams would just step up to the plate, do a good job promoting and running their programs, they could be strong. SRI is making protectionism rules. SRI needs to drop this tactic of protectionism and take a regional approach.

I've asked this question before and you or anyone else has failed to answer it for me. I even asked it in the MA page to no avail. "CAN AN SRI REGISTERED TEAM COMPETE FOR MA STATE CUP IF THEY MEET 50% OF ROSTER FROM MA RULE?" will you please answer this.

[Unregistered]

I've asked this question before and you or anyone else has failed to answer it for me. I even asked it in the MA page to no avail. "CAN AN SRI REGISTERED TEAM COMPETE FOR MA STATE CUP IF THEY MEET 50% OF ROSTER FROM MA RULE?" will you please answer this.

This is actually the answer I received in the MA Forum. Does it mean an SRI Team can enter MA SC ? I'm still confused LOL Why does it have to be so complicated??
Originally Posted by Unregistered
TEAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE CUP 2010
1. All players must be age appropriate.
2. All players must be properly registered with Mass Youth Soccer.
3. All players requiring international clearance (including children born outside of
the U.S.) or waiver must be cleared prior to the names being placed on the State
Cup roster.
4. All players must have a valid pass card in order to play.
5. Maximum of 5 previously rostered players on a State Cup roster.
6. All out of state players must have permission to play in Massachusetts from their
home state prior to being placed on the State Cup roster.
7. The team must be entered in the competition of the State Association in which at
least 50% of its’ players are registered.
8. The team must demonstrate continuity of rosters between league and State Cup by
maintaining:
For U13 – U15: a minimum of 9 players common to both competitions.
For U16 – U18: a minimum of 11 players common to both competitions
9. The team must compete in a Mass Youth Soccer approved qualifying league.
For complete requirements, refer to Section 305-1 of the Mass Youth Soccer
Constitution and Bylaws at www.mayouthsoccer.org. .
10. Any team which forfeits three (3) league matches in the league the team is using
for Cup qualification purposes shall be declared ineligible for Cup play.
11. League rosters:
For U13-U15, can not exceed 18 players at anytime.
For U16-U19, can not exceed 22 players at anytime.
12. Cup roster must not contain any player who previously has been on a “frozen”
2010 State Cup roster anywhere within the United States
13. All coaches/managers (maximum of 4) must be registered with Mass Youth
Soccer and have a valid pass card.

[Unregistered]

This is actually the answer I received in the MA Forum. Does it mean an SRI Team can enter MA SC ? I'm still confused LOL Why does it have to be so complicated??
Originally Posted by Unregistered
TEAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE CUP 2010
1. All players must be age appropriate.
2. All players must be properly registered with Mass Youth Soccer.
3. All players requiring international clearance (including children born outside of
the U.S.) or waiver must be cleared prior to the names being placed on the State
Cup roster.
4. All players must have a valid pass card in order to play.
5. Maximum of 5 previously rostered players on a State Cup roster.
6. All out of state players must have permission to play in Massachusetts from their
home state prior to being placed on the State Cup roster.
7. The team must be entered in the competition of the State Association in which at
least 50% of its’ players are registered.
8. The team must demonstrate continuity of rosters between league and State Cup by
maintaining:
For U13 – U15: a minimum of 9 players common to both competitions.
For U16 – U18: a minimum of 11 players common to both competitions
9. The team must compete in a Mass Youth Soccer approved qualifying league.
For complete requirements, refer to Section 305-1 of the Mass Youth Soccer
Constitution and Bylaws at www.mayouthsoccer.org. .
10. Any team which forfeits three (3) league matches in the league the team is using
for Cup qualification purposes shall be declared ineligible for Cup play.
11. League rosters:
For U13-U15, can not exceed 18 players at anytime.
For U16-U19, can not exceed 22 players at anytime.
12. Cup roster must not contain any player who previously has been on a “frozen”
2010 State Cup roster anywhere within the United States
13. All coaches/managers (maximum of 4) must be registered with Mass Youth
Soccer and have a valid pass card.

Per USYSA policy regarding state cup/NCS play, a team with 50% or more of its players from 1 state must play in that state's state cup competition.

So, no, a team that is registered with Mass Youth Soccer BUT has 51% of its players residing in RI must play for RI state cup.

[Unregistered]

ok.ok. This rule is obviously a mistake. It really doesn't benefit anyone.
SRI will be smaller. It won't stop anyone from leaving their town league to play on a club team. The club teams will not be protected from kids leaving for clubs in other states. ( I would love to see SRI not grant a waiver )

The current hierarchy of SRI is trying to please individuals without the necessary foresight to see the pitfalls. I have spoken to some of the people that wanted the changes.
These guys don't even know what is best for them.

They believe that the RI teams are getting watered down by having too many teams. This just isn't the case. The competition in reality is better run MA teams. If the RI teams would just step up to the plate, do a good job promoting and running their programs, they could be strong. SRI is making protectionism rules. SRI needs to drop this tactic of protectionism and take a regional approach.

Interesting.

There's an SRI general meeting on August 30th. What are the odds that they'll "man up" to realizing what a stupid rule this is, how petty and paranoid it makes them appear, and rescind it?

[Unregistered]

Back to the beginning

I would like to understand the Ins and outs of this issue. Let's start with a couple of questions.

1. Why are the affected teams not SRI members?
2. Can a soccer club register in more than one state?
3. Is the only ramification the inability to participate in the "State Cup"?

[Unregistered]

I would like to understand the Ins and outs of this issue. Let's start with a couple of questions.

1. Why are the affected teams not SRI members?
2. Can a soccer club register in more than one state?
3. Is the only ramification the inability to participate in the "State Cup"?

1. The clubs in question are not SRI clubs because SRI has a very restrictive process and policy to become a new SRI member. Thus, the clubs have simply become members of Mass Youth Soccer which accepts any new club simply upon registration. There are a lot of politics involved with SRI, too.

2. Per USYSA policy, a club can only register in 1 state.

3. This rule not only affects state cup participation, it can potentially affect a team's league play by SRI not giving a team more than 5 releases for RI residents.

[Unregistered]

1. The clubs in question are not SRI clubs because SRI has a very restrictive process and policy to become a new SRI member. Thus, the clubs have simply become members of Mass Youth Soccer which accepts any new club simply upon registration. There are a lot of politics involved with SRI, too.

2. Per USYSA policy, a club can only register in 1 state.

3. This rule not only affects state cup participation, it can potentially affect a team's league play by SRI not giving a team more than 5 releases for RI residents.

ok Thanks. I have always found that the easy way is typically not the right way. That being said, SRI Should make it easier to become a member.

These RI clubs need to become SRI member teams. I don't know if there is bad blood between the clubs and SRI or they are just lazy. But it almost seems like these clubs are trying to snub SRI and back into becoming a RI teams.

All the noise seems unfounded. They are MA teams, taking RI players away from both the town teams and actual RI premier teams.