Fall 2024 Coach Meeting Agenda
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - Cafeteria
February 29th, 2024 6:30 pm
Introduction of Board Members/Trustees
We are all volunteers
Spring season notes
We have over 60 teams and nearly 600 children registered in our programs this season.
We have some openings remaining and some players on the waiting list; let us know if players want to withdraw
Important Dates
March 16th – Area Coach Clinic, 11:30-1ish at Finley Ray Park- meet at concessions
March 18th– Practices begin
March 14th - Game schedules posted (email confirmation to be sent)
First or second week of April– Uniform and picture schedule pick up including game balls and rule books (email confirmation to be sent)
April 13th – Games begin
Coach Clinics
Please email [email protected] to confirm your attendance. Mandatory for new head coaches
Coach Information
Field maps; Practice nights, Referee Payment Schedule, Travel Team Coach Info will be posted on the website.
Concussion Education
State of Ohio law – Requirements and Training Certification.
Links to training found on our website under the Coaches tab.
Email certificate to [email protected] Applies to head coach and assistant coaches. Keep with you during practices and games. Check your expiration date if you had taken this in the past. See the “Policies” section of the website
Game Schedules
If you know you have a conflict for a specific game day, send requests by 3/8/24 to [email protected]
Travel Teams
Strikers and above divisions will travel this season
SAY North prepares game schedules for inter-play travel teams. Travel teams pay all referee fees for home games only.
Head Balls – No intentional head balls permitted in Strikers and below
Ref Fees – Refer to chart on website
Getting Started
NWCCSAY/Milford Soccer Website
Our website contains a lot of valuable information. The Coach Info link has rules, games, sample practice schedules, etc. Our Policies link has Code of Conduct rules, Park rules and more. Practice and game schedules are available online.
All Head and Assistant Coaches - All adults having contact with the kids must complete a coach application. If a parent from the team volunteers to help, let us know your assistant(s) & ask them to submit an online app.
Player Information - Please contact your players as soon as possible.
If you email, ask for a response to make sure they received it (spam) and if they don’t respond, please call. Players may not be switched from the assigned team. Make sure parents know your name and where to find you for the first practice.
Important Notes for Coaches
Times Two Policy – At least 2 adults must be present (near the team) at all team functions, including games, practices, picnics or end of season parties. SAY National does not encourage car-pooling due to the “Times Two” policy.
Lightning rule
We have a lightning prediction system. If the detector sounds or if you see a flash or hear thunder, you must leave the field and get in your car. Wait until the all clear is sounded or 30 minutes after last occurrence before going back to fields. Coaches (with their teams) who do not leave the fields in this situation will be reviewed by the Code of Conduct Committee and may face suspension for the season. Safety of the children must come first. This applies to games and practices.
Rescheduling Games (on the website, Coach Info)
Must be approved. Ten day notice required. Only one (1) reschedule per team. If you cancel a game and do not notify us, your team is responsible for paying the fees for the referee who was scheduled to ref that game. Rescheduled games will be played on a TBD Date. The reschedule policy is currently being reviewed. Any changes to the current policy will be forwarded to your attention.
Season Begins
Practice/Game Info
Practices start March 18th. 8 Games, April 13th-May 18th
Field conditions WEBSITE - Cancellation Alerts (make sure you click the refresh button) or follow us on Facebook- Milford Youth Soccer Association (not Milford Youth Soccer Club)
Finley Ray Park is sometimes closed due to weather. The website (Cancellation Alerts) will be updated if the decision is made to close the park. (Weekdays by 4:00-4:30 p.m.; Weekends by 7:00-7:30 a.m.) As a coach, you may choose to cancel practice even if the park is open.
Practice Fields/Weeknight Games
Teams get 1/2 field for practice. The park is not open until 5:00. Check the ref schedule on the website (Referee Info) each week for weeknight games. Due to the high number of teams/limited field space, weeknight games will rarely be scheduled, but if so, games take priority over practices. Move to another available field or find some open green space. Please use the entire field during practices – not just the goal area and middle of the field. Do not allow players dig ruts or kill the grass in the field.
Uniforms
All players except for the Minors and Seniors divisions will receive Jerseys and socks. Match the size to what they have ordered. If the player was registered late, uniform size requests are not guaranteed. If you have extra shirts/socks, please return them to the concession stand with your team number indicated. Minors and Seniors Divisions will receive T-shirts and socks
Referees- , if interested email us.
We have a lot of experienced refs and many new, young refs. Let them do their job - write comments (positive and negative) on the game card. Please let us know if you are interested in helping us give new referees some experience by letting them ref some scrimmages. Refs will be scheduled for upper level games first. Candy division may not always have referees. Teams are responsible for paying refs and coaches should collect money from the team. See the ref payment handout for how much to collect and who pays referees. If you have problems with collection, please let us know.