Hello JCYSL Members:
Hopefully, week #3 will not be a repeat of last week. Unfortunately heavy rain is in the forecast for tonight. Once again the JCYSL Board will check the fields in the morning and make a determination on the field status. We always attempt send notification by 7 AM, but the cell data service at fields is not the greatest. Please have some patience as we attempt to get notifications out to all members.
Our Field Closing Process
The decision to open or close fields is not necessarily based on the weather at any given moment, but rather on the condition of the fields themselves. After heavy or extended periods of rain, many grass fields often need hours or even a day or two to dry out and become playable. Conversely, there may be occasions when fields will remain open even if it has begun raining, because the fields are not saturated with water.
The primary reason for closing a field is player safety; playing soccer on a field that is muddy and saturated with water is dangerous and poses real risks of injury.
The secondary reason for closing a field is preservation of the playing surfaces; it only takes a few minutes to do serious damage to a field that is wet and slippery–and it can take weeks or months for a field to recover from such damage.
Uniforms
Majority of the uniforms have been delivered. Division Directors are working out the details with coaches to get uniforms in hand.
Team & Individual Photos
We are working with vendor on a new date to take team and individual photos. It was brought to our attention that many player maybe absent due to other events in the community. We are trying our best to have a date that suits all.
Inclement Weather and Cancellations
As with all JCYSL events, the weather can be a determining factor. We communicate via email, web and FaceBook posts, and text alerts. We encourage all members to sign-up for alerts by texting JCYSLayso14431 to 84483. Our goal is to have practice cancellations posted by 4 PM and game cancellations posted by 7 AM. On practice days many of us work outside of the County, please be patience as the decision may not be made right at 4 PM. If there is no decision made by JCYSL, the coach is permitted to cancel practice. On game days, only the JCYSL Regional Board can cancel games. Coaches are not permitted to cancel games or move games.
Lastly, we do practice and play in the rain, cold, and heat. We will only cancel for severe weather and unsafe field conditions.A parent always has the right to miss practice or game if they are not comfortable with weather conditions. This must be communicated to the coach so that they can plan their session or game roster.
Board Members Needed
JCYSL needs to fill these volunteer positions: Safety Director, 5U Division Director, 6U Division Director, 12U Division Director, Uniform Coordinator, and Treasurer. If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact me at [email protected].
Not filling these positions in a timely manner will cause burn-out of the existing board members. This puts JCYSL in a bad position and leads us to not producing a good program. If you want to be part of the decision-making process within JCYSL, please consider one of these positions.
Finally, please remember that we follow the AYSO Kids Zone during our practices and games. Those guidelines are listed later in this newsletter. Please read and follow during every AYSO event.
AYSO Kids Zone
At any AYSO event (practices, games, meetings, and field day), AYSO operates under the Kids Zone Pledge. What does that mean? Simply put Kids Zone is establishing a positive environment for our children to play the game. The following rules are in play during these times:
1. Kids are No. 1.
2. Fun, not winning is everything.
3. Fans only cheer, and only coaches coach.
4. No yelling in anger.
5. Respect all volunteers (referees, coaches, and board members).
6. No swearing or abusive behavior.
7. No alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
8. No pets allowed at the fields. (Service pets are permitted with credentials.)
9. No weapons.
10.Leave no trash behind.
11.Set a proper example of sportsmanship.
Respectfully,
Matt Byers, JCYSL Regional Commissioner