CASCADIA SOCCER LEAGE - SPRING 2017 U8 - U18

[LFC]

CASCADIA SPRING SOCCER LEAGE Cascadia Soccer League | Home
Starts in April & ends late June. BC Soccer sanctioned.
Similar to the very successful USSL which used to end in late July and was for ages U5 to U13.

 

[TKBC]

were those the only clubs invited to participate?

why would they create a web site and announce the league if it doesn't have sanctioning yet?

 

[Legend]

Apparently it's okay to post that for the public to see and decide if it's for them but others get banned for posting simple links. Both are "advertising"

 

[Admin]

This is going to sound harsh but...

You're being an arse. Stop.

 

[TKBC]

Apparently it's okay to post that for the public to see and decide if it's for them but others get banned for posting simple links. Both are "advertising"

anyone remember the league proposed by TSS_Burnaby Metro that was to be at Newton? It wasn't sanctioned either....

 

[E11even]

For those who are interested, here is some clarity about the Cascadia League, so that we can all avoid speculating.

• There is a void of sanctioned soccer in spring, but demand for opportunities is increasing
• There has been discussion by districts to create a league, but it hadn't happened to date
• The league is NOT currently sanctioned, but there is weekly discussion with BC Soccer and the districts to prepare for the sanctioning application. This is expected to be submitted at the end of January. If sanctioning does not occur, no games will be played. We are confident sanctioning will be in place, well before the season starts.
• All clubs/districts who are members of BC Soccer are welcomed to participate
• The league will have a board made up of member districts and they will have full control of the league

Unfortunately, with tight turn around times, it has been a bit of "shotgun" approach to get ready. We have been communicating to all clubs and have solicited feedback from clubs, districts, and BC Soccer. We want this to be an organized, inclusive league, that offers appropriate competition for kids to play spring soccer. It's really that simple.

Questions/feedback always welcomed. No need to guess... just ask

 

[TKBC]

Question: If this league gets sanctioned (with the clubs involved it probably will, IMO) after a season or so I wonder if it can expand to basically compete directly against the current league structure by way of lengthening the season and moving to a Feb-June/Sep-Nov calendar? My question, more succinctly, is if the league gets sanctioned is there anything stopping it from lengthening it's season?

With the current clubs involved, if it lengthened it's season in the near future, could quickly become the 2nd tier behind BCSPL. That would be a good thing.

 

[Tosh]

Will this league be for only sanctioned clubs or will sanctioned academies like Whitecaps or private academy teams be able to enter? Will non sanctioned academy teams be able to enter?

 

[TKBC]

another question - this league is being run by a private business (even with "district reps" on the board). this opens a can of worms does it not if it gets sanctioned?

Don't forget a similar league was proposed very recently and was denied - what's the difference between the two?

 

[easoccer]

were those the only clubs invited to participate?

why would they create a web site and announce the league if it doesn't have sanctioning yet?

Not sure but there is a section on the site inviting other clubs to apply. I enquired with my club and they said its an option. Apparently they had a midday meeting during a work week so some clubs that are going to be participating are not listed yet.

My question is how will it be run? Like the summer tournaments where high level/team players pop in and out of lower level games or will there be a modicum of effort put in to ensure fair play. Also will there be enough players in the older divsion to even have groups.

It would be nice not to play the same 2-3 teams 8 times each over spring.

 

[TKBC]

Not sure but there is a section on the site inviting other clubs to apply. I enquired with my club and they said its an option. Apparently they had a midday meeting during a work week so some clubs that are going to be participating are not listed yet.

My question is how will it be run? Like the summer tournaments where high level/team players pop in and out of lower level games or will there be a modicum of effort put in to ensure fair play. Also will there be enough players in the older divsion to even have groups.

It would be nice not to play the same 2-3 teams 8 times each over spring.

While my hope is that this league is part of the "pyramid" and they do well, develop players, and it's an overall success, my concern is what door this will open. BCSPL was developed, in part, to streamline and centralize. I think that was the right choice. If different sanctioned leagues start popping up this may start a fracturing again....hopefully any new league like this can be enveloped and clearly identified as part of the BCSA pathway.

 

[E11even]

A lot of good discussion here. I make a point of staying off boards/chats LOL, but for clarity, I'll be happy to use this forum to answer questions.

This league is being started out of need. There is a lack of sanctioned soccer for kids to just "play". It's not being set up with anything beyond that in mind. There are players looking to participate in clubs and clubs are looking for the best, sanctioned outlet for their teams. It's certainly not intended to confused the pathway or add a level of play.

So short notes are:

• Any team can participate (if their club and district apply). The club must be affiliated to a district who is a member of BC Soccer.
• A district holds a seat/vote on the league board. The management company does not.
• A club will register the players, form teams, etc...
• The "private company" is available to provide services to the league should the league board want this. Currently, that company is trying to get the league set up simply so that it exists. Should the board choose a different way to run the league, that is perfectly fine and within their rights as they "own" the league.
• There is no rogue approach here. BC Soccer is consulted regularly to ensure the right steps are in place. It's not an alternative pathway. It's a league for teams to play in during the spring season. Remember, clubs develop players, not leagues.
• We expect that the top level of this play will be metro/gold. Of course these leagues don't play in the spring, so it's not an alternative or a competitor. Just a place to play for a few more weeks in better weather (hopefully).
• Should we be involved in the management once the board makes that decision there will be technical standards/expectations on the clubs to ensure that division have the right geographic and competitive balance. Basically we want teams to limit travel to get good competitive games, irrespective of what age/level they are in. Clubs are being engaged in this process so that the standards are set by the group and administered by the league.

The first board meeting is set for Jan 26. Shortly after that meeting, the final sanctioning application will be sent to BC Soccer for consideration. We hope to get sanctioning approved on the first try (Feb), but we have left another month (March meeting) in case changes are needed.

More questions welcomed... Always happy to answer.

 

[E11even]

Additionally, teams will be formed similarly to the fall. Teams need registered players, ID Cards (for older groups), permits to play on a different team, etc...

It's a lot of work for a short season, but the integrity of this league will be measured on being organized, compliant, and with the right teams matched together for good games, irrespective of age or level of play.

 

[soccer mom]

From reading other posts it is apparent there is some frustration with the fall organized season having extended weather breaks and a thus a heightened demand for a more organized spring season.
Clearly there is a need for an entity wether it be for profit to take on this challenge. To date this has not been successfully tackled.
Spring soccer is an opportunity for kids to be introduced to soccer with better weather and over a shorter commitment. This leads to a preview season for new soccer families that ultimately will lead to a more full time commitment to the game.

The experience in this preview will only be stronger with an organized and structured group committed.

I applaud someone for stepping up.

Best of luck.

 

[TKBC]

Good luck! Intrigued to see how it progresses. Since my teen years have seen many spring leagues come and go, clubs come and go. Hopefully this one sets itself aside, establishes, and grows.

 

[E11even]

Thanks for the well wishes. The reality is we are simply facilitating and doing the heavy lifting. The success will come from those involved and their commitment to making it a good place for teams to play. If something "better" comes up, that's absolutely fine. Let's challenge and evolve the game and raise the collective bar. Everyone has a role to play.

 

[TKBC]

Just had a thought - if a private company can get a league off the ground and get sanctioned, what is to stop a private business from entering such a league, or entering into the traditional league system now? It seems to me this may set a precedent for such questions.

Anyway, hopefully this spring league lasts and thrives! Our kids need meaningful soccer beyond Sept-Feb.

 

[E11even]

I think you're perhaps misunderstanding our role. While it would be a great option to do this through the private sector, the governance model in BC does not allow it. We are preparing everything and the "board" will submit the sanctioning. The relationship his between the districts and BC Soccer. The hope is that the same board will see value in having a professional league management service OR will put forth effort through the normal channels (volunteers) to carry this forward. Either way should be a win for the clubs and players. There is really nothing at the moment and something is needed. I want to be careful about people trying to spin this as a private league - it is not. Just a service provider, not unlike a club staff, or league GM. In our case, we just happen to be a company with a number of human resources to bring to the table.

 

[TKBC]

No spin. Just seeking clarification.

Just confused though - if Eleven has no role in running the league etc, then why be involved if there's no benefit to Eleven? Not often business do charity. I can certainly understand if these questions sound cynical or sarcastic. They aren't - please don't read into the tone. Just trying to understand. Really do hope this is another step forward for this province and the experience the players have.

Thanks for stepping up!

I suppose my personal opinion is that academies should be able to register players and enter leagues (depending on various circumstances) so long as they can satisfy the registration rules for any given league (MSL and down - BCSPL should remain as is IMO).

Good luck!

 

[soccer mom]

I suspect e11eleven understands the value of strengthening their corporate brand and all though there may not be a financial benefit to the company in doing this heavy lifting the management recognizes that having their name attached to the league in some fashion is goid for branding.

Second to that is the benefit to a for profit regional based soccer management company to exist in a strong soccer environment is key. Building programs that strengthen soccer in this community is a win win for everyone.

To e11eleven it makes sense to have a stronger more organized soccer community as that tends to develop a stronger potential customer base for all the other for profit programs they offer.

It's intelligent. It fills a obvious need and as I see it is a win win for everyone.

It's also risky for the company as it can also damage the brand if it fails. However what AAA business owner ever goes into any venture thinking it will fail and without understanding those risks