SCRA Presidents Message

May/June, 2009

Greetings to all of you as I hope you are keeping yourself fit and in game shape as we wait for the tournament season to begin. If you have noticed, games are few to come by with only adult friendlies the only games available. It appears the economy has hit the soccer community where tournaments are seeing fewer teams as teams fold, merge or cut back on tournaments. Here’s an update on what’s happening within the association and around in the soccer community.

Mission Viejo Classic Tournament:

We were recently notified that the Mission Viejo Classic was being cancelled which was scheduled for the first week of August. We were very disappointed on the news but we understand the situation and hope they can again host the tournament next year.

State Referee Committee Changes:

As you may have been hearing, additional changes at the State Referee Committee have been announced. Nick Algattus has stepped down and John Bennyworth, Lee Popejoy and Larry Yee will play a bigger role going forward.  Further, Thomas Bobadilla announced that 2010 registration will take place on-line and steps are being made to make this happen seamlessly. Stay tuned for further details. On a side note, Thomas Bobadilla has also accepted to represent AYSO as their National Referee Administrator taking the place of Joe Eldridge who announced his retirement.

West Coast Men’s Adult Soccer League:

As you are aware, we have been working hard to support a new men’s start up adult soccer league and in the next couple of weeks their inaugural season is about to begin with eight teams playing on Sundays in the Mission Viejo area.  The level of play is pretty high and we are excited to be at the ground level. Our hopes are that they will become USSF affiliated in the next several months while we continue to develop referees who want challenging games to gain experience as they graduate up the state ranks and higher.

Laguna Niguel Men’s Football Association:

We announced at the last general membership meeting that we have been given an opportunity this fall to cover some affiliated men’s adult games locally. Frederick de Tapia, LNFA manager, started refereeing with SCRA when he was a youth and felt that in the best interest to his expanding league; wanted to open up more games to SCRA so he could maintain a larger pool of qualified referees as well as help us meet our critical needs to support our membership. We hope to use these games for development and badge upgrade assessments.

Referee Refresher Clinic:

We recently completed a referee refresher clinic for individuals who wanted to go over some critical procedures before starting tournament and CSL fall play. Wally Fallman was the instructor and as usual enlightened everyone in his special way giving all, a worth while instruction.   

Calendar of Events:

Recertification Clinic Grades 5 & 6 – Moorpark Ca. (No Upgrades) Saturday, June 27th

West Coast Men’s Soccer League – Inaugural season begins June 28^th with eight teams.

Lightning Carlsbad Cup 2009 Tournament - July 18^th & 19^th

United Football Club Tournament – August 8^th & 9^th

West Coast Tournament – August 15^th & 16^th

Blues Tournament – Sept 5^th, 6^th & 7th

KIDSAFE Risk Management:

We have submitted our dates to Cal-South for Live Scan and will find out if Sept 10t^h and Sept 11^th are acceptable. Times each evening would be from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Norman Murray Center. If you have gone through the process as a coach or administrator with Cal-South, you do not need to participate. The service will be free to SCRA members and after we get confirmation, we will post an invitation on Arbiter. 

Remember, that you do make a difference. Let’s continue to work together and be the best you can be. Until we meet again, be safe, healthy and happy….

Sincerely,

Marcel Caruana

President

South Coast Referee Association