State Cup Brackets

[Unregistered]

The 3 - town rule does not apply to town teams U14 and older. You don't know what you're talking about.

almost correct (U15 and older) ..but you also don't * magically * create an unrestricted town town at the U15 level because (1) the better kids are in JV/V programs so no fall play and (2) assuming you've had a decent town team to that point, it's been constrained by the 3 town rule so it's difficult to kick 1/3 to 1/2 the players off to add the depth to compete with a premier club.

The best you can hope for is getting together with another club or two..but that has its own challenges even if you could get the idea conceptually accepted. The most logical shot would be in the south as there is not a great deal of premier penetration there (especially on the girls side) and perhaps get SC/OSS, etc. to create a Fortuna like club venture..

[Unregistered]

Sad showing for the U15G. Never seen such a small state cup draw for this age group.

Is this a typical year, are the draws normally this small? There don't seem to be alot of teams on the boys or girls side. There are some draws with 2-3 teams. Has there been many more in past years?

[Unregistered]

Is this a typical year, are the draws normally this small? There don't seem to be alot of teams on the boys or girls side. There are some draws with 2-3 teams. Has there been many more in past years?

From my experience, typical year....if anything a few more teams than typical.

[Unregistered]

Back in the day, there were Rays teams that ran unopposed, and there have been times when teams have played only one game.

[Unregistered]

Back in the day, there were Rays teams that ran unopposed, and there have been times when teams have played only one game.

Wow, new to this and it seemed small for such a "large" tournament. But then again, it is a small state. Thanks for the info.

[Unregistered]

Some teams weigh the benefit of paying for a tournament vs paying for the regionals. Also, for some teams so you win then the parents have to cough up more money to travel to PA to lose 3 games. Take the cost of both of those together and your team (if not truly special) can enter 3 or 4 tournaments where you fit in and have more fun.

[Unregistered]

Wow, new to this and it seemed small for such a "large" tournament. But then again, it is a small state. Thanks for the info.

See early comments.

The results you see are the direct results of SRI actions and rules. I won't rehash what's been said, but when you have members on the SRI board who financially benefit from effects of those rules and have the SRI board claim there are no conflicts of interest, you pretty much get that SRI is a microcosm of what goes on in RI -- a concentrated few run the system for their benefit and a slightly larger group figures out how to benefit so they go along..while the majority get stuck with a sub-optimal system.

The state system gives almost no support to growing strong and vibrant recreational programs, focuses on maximizing revenue for a board member on the competitive side, has a dysfunctional ODP program, places no effort into building a state facility (perfect window to partner with WWIS to build an indoor-outdoor complex in Quonset)..

No minutes from Sept posted..AGM is next month and nothing posted..no announcements on board positions, etc.. It's like OZ..just sing about being in the merry old land of Oz and don't look behind the curtain..

[Unregistered]

See early comments.

The results you see are the direct results of SRI actions and rules. I won't rehash what's been said, but when you have members on the SRI board who financially benefit from effects of those rules and have the SRI board claim there are no conflicts of interest, you pretty much get that SRI is a microcosm of what goes on in RI -- a concentrated few run the system for their benefit and a slightly larger group figures out how to benefit so they go along..while the majority get stuck with a sub-optimal system.

The state system gives almost no support to growing strong and vibrant recreational programs, focuses on maximizing revenue for a board member on the competitive side, has a dysfunctional ODP program, places no effort into building a state facility (perfect window to partner with WWIS to build an indoor-outdoor complex in Quonset)..

No minutes from Sept posted..AGM is next month and nothing posted..no announcements on board positions, etc.. It's like OZ..just sing about being in the merry old land of Oz and don't look behind the curtain..

You are 100% correct.

The state of RI is waiting for you and all the other posters who complain about SRI to actually get involved, run for a position within your local town association and vote out current SRI officers.

Because all of this criticism of SRI policies on T-S.com gets us nowhere.

[Unregistered]

You are 100% correct.

The state of RI is waiting for you and all the other posters who complain about SRI to actually get involved, run for a position within your local town association and vote out current SRI officers.

Because all of this criticism of SRI policies on T-S.com gets us nowhere.

true, but our town assoc. never announces when positions are open or voted on. apparently no term limits in place - the members have been there as long as anyone can remember.

the board is 20 some members that stick (and vote) together and it is difficult to find that many people to show up and out vote them for fear of reprisal.
and they voted to change the charter to create new committees allowing those members a second vote.

so it is next to impossible to vote out a town board member let alone get a vote at SRI

[Unregistered]

See early comments.

The results you see are the direct results of SRI actions and rules. I won't rehash what's been said, but when you have members on the SRI board who financially benefit from effects of those rules and have the SRI board claim there are no conflicts of interest, you pretty much get that SRI is a microcosm of what goes on in RI -- a concentrated few run the system for their benefit and a slightly larger group figures out how to benefit so they go along..while the majority get stuck with a sub-optimal system.

The state system gives almost no support to growing strong and vibrant recreational programs, focuses on maximizing revenue for a board member on the competitive side, has a dysfunctional ODP program, places no effort into building a state facility (perfect window to partner with WWIS to build an indoor-outdoor complex in Quonset)..

No minutes from Sept posted..AGM is next month and nothing posted..no announcements on board positions, etc.. It's like OZ..just sing about being in the merry old land of Oz and don't look behind the curtain..

After reading your post, I got interested. I never actually knew what the "three town rule" was, and I am still actually unclear on who it benefits. I have seen the ODP program, there I agree, dysfunctional at best. I don't think any parent in RI, premier or rec, is against seeing strong rec programs strive. It is in the best interest of everyone to have strong programs in our state, and opportunity for the children in our state, despite economic status of their family. It is sad to me when youth sports are no longer about what is best for the kids playing them.

[Unregistered]

http://events.gotsport.com/events/De...?EventID=21956

Look under standings, that will give you the brackets.

SRI rules state - "For brackets with 5 or more teams, winners and finalists from the 2011 RI Champions will be seeded so they do not play each other in the first round of games".

U15 boys group has Bayside (2011 Champion) and Bruno (2011 Finalist) in the same three team preliminary round group. Assuming SRI realizes what has happened (or someone brings this to their attention) will they completely re-draw the 4 remaining teams or will they simply switch Bayside or Bruno with a team from the other group...way to go SRI!!

[Unregistered]

I'm no expert, but let me take a swing?

I'm pretty sure the three town rule exists to protect the local programs, both so they can survive and compete.

Local programs depend on membership, and they are only going to be as strong as their membership. They are run by volunteers, who dedicate their time. Players are therefore restricted to play for the town program they live in. For better or for worse, without these restrictions, some local programs may struggle, and that would close people not willing to travel to a bordering town out of the sport.

Additionally, for competitive purposes, folks like to know that if Cumberland is playing Smithfield that those are the towns the players are from. So towns don't go out recruiting players, denying players from their own town, and creating a super team that is better than the surrounding towns who are trying to cater to their local players in the interest of their local program.

By having a "three town rule" they allow for exceptions, which aren't supposed to be to bolster team competitiveness, but supposed to allow for smaller teams or smaller programs to survive by filling in open roster spots with players from other towns.

the three town rule makes sense in the community sense, where if it didn't exist you might see a lot of local programs die out, shutting out local players from the sport.

What is harder to justify is the Soccer-RI rules restricting the number of clubs and how that relates to the State Cup. The State Cup is part of an open national competition. Soccer-RI artificially restricts the competition. Theoretically, any team should be able to enter State Cup provided it can find a league to play in that qualifies it for the tournament.

MAPLE is an open league and a state cup qualifying league. So, while they can't be a RI club, any team can have open tryouts, create a team, and play in MAPLE. But they can't enter RI state cup, even though by national rules they qualify to participate.

That is kind of a joke.

I see why Soccer RI restricts the number of clubs, but I wonder whether it's legal or if not allowing teams to play in a national open tournament despite meeting all the standards is legal.

Someone with more knowledge of any of the above can feel free to chime in.

[Unregistered]

I'm no expert, but let me take a swing?

I'm pretty sure the three town rule exists to protect the local programs, both so they can survive and compete.

Local programs depend on membership, and they are only going to be as strong as their membership. They are run by volunteers, who dedicate their time. Players are therefore restricted to play for the town program they live in. For better or for worse, without these restrictions, some local programs may struggle, and that would close people not willing to travel to a bordering town out of the sport.

Additionally, for competitive purposes, folks like to know that if Cumberland is playing Smithfield that those are the towns the players are from. So towns don't go out recruiting players, denying players from their own town, and creating a super team that is better than the surrounding towns who are trying to cater to their local players in the interest of their local program.

By having a "three town rule" they allow for exceptions, which aren't supposed to be to bolster team competitiveness, but supposed to allow for smaller teams or smaller programs to survive by filling in open roster spots with players from other towns.

the three town rule makes sense in the community sense, where if it didn't exist you might see a lot of local programs die out, shutting out local players from the sport.

What is harder to justify is the Soccer-RI rules restricting the number of clubs and how that relates to the State Cup. The State Cup is part of an open national competition. Soccer-RI artificially restricts the competition. Theoretically, any team should be able to enter State Cup provided it can find a league to play in that qualifies it for the tournament.

MAPLE is an open league and a state cup qualifying league. So, while they can't be a RI club, any team can have open tryouts, create a team, and play in MAPLE. But they can't enter RI state cup, even though by national rules they qualify to participate.

That is kind of a joke.

I see why Soccer RI restricts the number of clubs, but I wonder whether it's legal or if not allowing teams to play in a national open tournament despite meeting all the standards is legal.

Someone with more knowledge of any of the above can feel free to chime in.

So for example if a Pawtucket based team formed a U12 "club" with players from 4 surrounding towns and played in MAPLE, RI would restrict them from playing in State Cup? Even though by National Rules they qualify? I am asking just to make sure I understand correctly. The rules seem very complex.

I saw a U12 bracket with 2 teams, you would think it would be in SRI's best interest to boost participation rather than limit it. There is no excitement (or value with a high entry fee), in playing one game to win a state title. It shortchanges the kids in that bracket.

I do understand the logic of the 3 town rule with your explaination. You want to make some allowances, but not create "superteams". I just don't understand the exclusion from State Cup.

[Unregistered]

So for example if a Pawtucket based team formed a U12 "club" with players from 4 surrounding towns and played in MAPLE, RI would restrict them from playing in State Cup? Even though by National Rules they qualify? I am asking just to make sure I understand correctly. The rules seem very complex.

I saw a U12 bracket with 2 teams, you would think it would be in SRI's best interest to boost participation rather than limit it. There is no excitement (or value with a high entry fee), in playing one game to win a state title. It shortchanges the kids in that bracket.

I do understand the logic of the 3 town rule with your explaination. You want to make some allowances, but not create "superteams". I just don't understand the exclusion from State Cup.

It's not as simple as exclusion from State Cup. Here's how I understand it:

You can create a team with players from 4 towns, and go play in MAPLE.

Soccer-RI will not recognize the team. If it's a town team, you have to obey by the 3 town rule. If it's a premier club team, Soccer-RI won't recognize it because it's not one of the approved clubs.

So what you do is you register the team in MYSA and you have to get a release for every RI player to play in Massachusetts. Soccer-RI will only release five players, but you can get a waiver from Soccer-RI to create the team. The waiver states that your team won't play in the RI state Cup.

This has been done before, but someone with more experience will have to explain better.

To play in the State Cup all you have to do is have every player registered and properly affiliated with US Youth Soccer, play in an an approved league, have all your players of the given age group, and have more than half your team from the State Cup competition you enter.

[Unregistered]

true, but our town assoc. never announces when positions are open or voted on. apparently no term limits in place - the members have been there as long as anyone can remember.

the board is 20 some members that stick (and vote) together and it is difficult to find that many people to show up and out vote them for fear of reprisal.
and they voted to change the charter to create new committees allowing those members a second vote.

so it is next to impossible to vote out a town board member let alone get a vote at SRI

One word piece of advice - ASK.

And if there's not enough interest to vote out incumbents and effect change, then maybe you and your opinions aren't in the majority.