Metro Select Schedule for 2016-2017?

[TKBC]

I take your point, but in this case I don't think it would have mattered. Issues date back quite a ways. At a parent meeting in pre-season (ca. late August) verbal "commitment" for the season came from everyone.

But the players and coach were already picked by that point. Everyone agreed at that point probably because they weren't yet sure what they wanted to do.

But as you acknowledged you get my point. Picking teams in spring that start play in fall makes no sense at all to me.

 

[RCharlesworth]

With regards to the U15 Metro team folding, this has happened. My son plays on this squad and in the end the whole process has been very disturbing for him as he is one of the 8 players left scrambling trying to find a place to fit in now and continue to play at a high level. A previous post is accurate that there was a group of parents that have been able to impact the whole team. The parents of the 7 players leaving have decided that they would much rather train with the MB School of Soccer / Academy and in doing so, seem to have waited until the 11th hour to withdraw their boys from the team and club, collect the majority of their registration fees back from RFC and then continue on with Martin B. It makes me wonder who has orchestrated this mass withdrawal? Another post is accurate too in that at the start of our season, one of the coaches hosted a team parent meeting and presented the situation that as a team we had very low roster numbers and that we needed commitment from each family and each player to ensure the viability of the squad for the season. All of those in the attendance at the meeting, including those parents that have since withdrawn their boys from the team agreed that upon initial team training sessions they were satisfied with the coaching group and the team selection, they were committed to this team for the whole season. Commitments were made but were obviously intended to be broken as we are now in a situation where those same parents have decided to say one thing in September and have acted in a completely opposite way this past weekend. I am trying to keep this civil and to the point but my level of frustration and anger towards these individuals who believe that they have taught RFC a lesson have really only impacted my son and the 7 other players left holding the bag and with limited options to play. My hat goes off to RFC for their efforts to place the impacted boys in other in-house programs and they have made efforts to approach other clubs to see if OOD players can be absorbed by local clubs closer to these players homes.

 

[RRS]

I can assure you, RCharlesworth, that I'm working on the Richmond U15 Metro situation getting some very close attention.

 

[SU Coach]

Unless there is some form of abuse here (and it doesn't sound like there is), the 8 players that left that team should not be allowed to play anywhere else this season. I am surprised that there isn't some form of binding of players to teams...in addition to coaching soccer I have also coached fastball; in fastball once the roster is submitted, a player cannot move to another team until the following season. Now, I guess if they have gone to an academy that means that they will not be involved in league play, am I correct? In that case, Soccer BC should not insure those players for this year (once an investigation is performed, of course...we should not assume guilt - though it sure sounds like they are guilty)!

Perhaps Soccer BC will have to install some sort of contract procedure between player and team in the future....

 

[RRS]

AFAIK they've left club soccer, so no league play. Interestingly enough, earlier today the school in question announced via Twitter that it "is very pleased to announce that we have been granted Associate Membership Status with BC Soccer." If I recall the case involving TSS correctly, part of their claim involved being able to register their members with BC Soccer directly, but not sure if they ever won that right.

Certainly there needs to be some kind of disincentive to leaving mid-season. Do whatever the heck you want at the end of the season, or very shortly thereafter, but not five weeks into the season after you've already given your commitment to the team and club.

 

[TKBC]

Unless there is some form of abuse here (and it doesn't sound like there is), the 8 players that left that team should not be allowed to play anywhere else this season. I am surprised that there isn't some form of binding of players to teams...in addition to coaching soccer I have also coached fastball; in fastball once the roster is submitted, a player cannot move to another team until the following season. Now, I guess if they have gone to an academy that means that they will not be involved in league play, am I correct? In that case, Soccer BC should not insure those players for this year (once an investigation is performed, of course...we should not assume guilt - though it sure sounds like they are guilty)!

Perhaps Soccer BC will have to install some sort of contract procedure between player and team in the future....

Players are free to leave a team at any time. What they aren't entitled to is a refund (this varies club-by-club, mind). Also what they can't do is sign for another BCSA member (ie, another NFP in District 5) until the transfer window opens again. This is unless they left prior to the summer window closing in which case they can sign for another member club before the summer window closes.

Academies are private and of course thus have no registration deadlines and anyone can sign for them.

The players aren't guilty of anything. Also insurance is paid on a yearly basis. So if you pay insurance fees for Club A. But leave Club A and sign for Club B you don't have to pay the insurance fee again (this was also the case when SYL was around). If memory serves. Correct me if I am wrong. The academy registration fees will cover insurance regardless.

 

[SU Coach]

Players are free to leave a team at any time. What they aren't entitled to is a refund (this varies club-by-club, mind). Also what they can't do is sign for another BCSA member (ie, another NFP in District 5) until the transfer window opens again. This is unless they left prior to the summer window closing in which case they can sign for another member club before the summer window closes.

Academies are private and of course thus have no registration deadlines and anyone can sign for them.

The players aren't guilty of anything. Also insurance is paid on a yearly basis. So if you pay insurance fees for Club A. But leave Club A and sign for Club B you don't have to pay the insurance fee again (this was also the case when SYL was around). If memory serves. Correct me if I am wrong. The academy registration fees will cover insurance regardless.

I do not disagree with anything that you said except the part where you said the players (and by extension the families) are not guilty of anything. Maybe promises and commitments don't mean what they once did, but they have most certainly broken both (according to RRS, at least). You would like to think that people will uphold their commitments and that enforcement of same would not be necessary, but of course we know that is not true. That said, you should not be allowed to leave one team for another once the team has been formed...would be bad form to do so during the summer leading up to the season, but at least then the team would be able to replace the lost players (of course in this case that would have wide-ranging effects....MSL takes 8 from Div 1, Div 1 takes 8 from Div 2, etc...what a mess). Leaving now is completely classless. It just stinks for those left behind...shows the kids that that there are no consequences to their actions; that thought should only be given for yourself, without consideration for those that you also affect with your decisions. If you don't like the coach, find another one, but you owe it to others to stick out the season. I have encountered parents like this in the past...I didn't like them then, and I don't like them now.

 

[RRS]

I share SU's viewpoint completely. It's ultimately the parents, not the kids, driving this - which makes it all the more shameful.

 

[easoccer]

The transfer dealine for MLS is Dec 31, 2016 so they can move to wherever they want prior to that. The only thing that can prevent a transfer is if they owe the team or club money and/or equipment.

 

[TKBC]

AFAIK they've left club soccer, so no league play. Interestingly enough, earlier today the school in question announced via Twitter that it "is very pleased to announce that we have been granted Associate Membership Status with BC Soccer." If I recall the case involving TSS correctly, part of their claim involved being able to register their members with BC Soccer directly, but not sure if they ever won that right.

Certainly there needs to be some kind of disincentive to leaving mid-season. Do whatever the heck you want at the end of the season, or very shortly thereafter, but not five weeks into the season after you've already given your commitment to the team and club.

Agreed, some form of disinsentive needs to be in place. Bu

I do not disagree with anything that you said except the part where you said the players (and by extension the families) are not guilty of anything. Maybe promises and commitments don't mean what they once did, but they have most certainly broken both (according to RRS, at least). You would like to think that people will uphold their commitments and that enforcement of same would not be necessary, but of course we know that is not true. That said, you should not be allowed to leave one team for another once the team has been formed...would be bad form to do so during the summer leading up to the season, but at least then the team would be able to replace the lost players (of course in this case that would have wide-ranging effects....MSL takes 8 from Div 1, Div 1 takes 8 from Div 2, etc...what a mess). Leaving now is completely classless. It just stinks for those left behind...shows the kids that that there are no consequences to their actions; that thought should only be given for yourself, without consideration for those that you also affect with your decisions. If you don't like the coach, find another one, but you owe it to others to stick out the season. I have encountered parents like this in the past...I didn't like them then, and I don't like them now.

I believe in finishing a commitment more than most. They are guilty of an ethical breach IMO as well, but that wasn't raised in this discussion previously. That said we (me!) don't know why they left. Might have a great reason thus ethics would be up for debate.

Transfer window is closed - MSL can utilize permits (but those are limited right?). Also is it even fair to move the kids from d1 to MSL or d2 to d1 even if it were possible? I doubt it because they play those levels presumably because it's the correct level for them.

 

[TKBC]

The transfer dealine for MLS is Dec 31, 2016 so they can move to wherever they want prior to that. The only thing that can prevent a transfer is if they owe the team or club money and/or equipment.

that clears that up!

 

[CanadianSpur]

that clears that up!

Does not a transfer require the releasing club to agree (i.e. sign the transfer form?). I know that doesn't apply in this case as they are going to an academy but thought this should be clarified.

 

[easoccer]

Does not a transfer require the releasing club to agree (i.e. sign the transfer form?). I know that doesn't apply in this case as they are going to an academy but thought this should be clarified.

Yes. A transferring player does require a cub to release that player. Sort of. I'm not sure how it works in District 4, but in District 5 the only valid reason that a coach or club can withhold permission or signature is in the event money is owed or equipment not returned. I am speaking from experience as I went through it one year. And even if the coach wants to make every effort to block the transfer, then the district can go ahead and do it for them. As much as it hurts to lose a player, even if poaching can be verified, we have no right or ability to block any player from leaving our team and joining another. Our only recourse is against the offending coach. Actually a club can deny a refund, but in many instances the new club may waive the new fee. Which doesn't apply in this case.

 

[TKBC]

Does not a transfer require the releasing club to agree (i.e. sign the transfer form?). I know that doesn't apply in this case as they are going to an academy but thought this should be clarified.

Not sure about forms. But I was wrong about transfer window. It's open. Players are free to come and go. Sounds like this is a Richmond team which means they are the only MSL team in their district. So all 8 could not have left for another MSL team together, due to the out of district rules, but nothing stops them from leaving and signing for an academy (and there should not be anything stopping them from that kind of switch).

 

[TKBC]

Yes. A transferring player does require a cub to release that player. Sort of. I'm not sure how it works in District 4, but in District 5 the only valid reason that a coach or club can withhold permission or signature is in the event money is owed or equipment not returned. I am speaking from experience as I went through it one year. And even if the coach wants to make every effort to block the transfer, then the district can go ahead and do it for them. As much as it hurts to lose a player, even if poaching can be verified, we have no right or ability to block any player from leaving our team and joining another. Our only recourse is against the offending coach. Actually a club can deny a refund, but in many instances the new club may waive the new fee. Which doesn't apply in this case.

Correct, and agreed.

 

[RCharlesworth]

Not sure about forms. But I was wrong about transfer window. It's open. Players are free to come and go. Sounds like this is a Richmond team which means they are the only MSL team in their district. So all 8 could not have left for another MSL team together, due to the out of district rules, but nothing stops them from leaving and signing for an academy (and there should not be anything stopping them from that kind of switch).

You are correct that this is the only MSL team in Richmond, so these players have not jumped ship to go to another team, they have simply coordinated their decision to withdraw and move into the private academy. I will agree that there is a flaw in the RFC refund process that allows these individuals to hold out as long as they did, let everyone get as far down the path as we did and then choose to step away, collect their registration fees and leave the others scrambling. I would not be surprised if RFC adjusts their withdrawal/refund policy to prevent against this in the future. From what I can understand the club will incur a fine of $7500 for withdrawing its team in midseason and then be penalized by not being allowed to enter a U16 MSL squad next year.

 

[TKBC]

Have these 8 players played a league game? If so, I suggest that means zero refund.

 

[RRS]

Have these 8 players played a league game? If so, I suggest that means zero refund.

Yes, they've played five matches into the season. Not exactly sure what the club policy is re refunds.

Regardless, this isn't about transfer windows, insurance, or club fees -- it's about the huge sense of betrayal that those families left in the wake have to deal with, and the utter lack of respect or regard for others shown by those who broke their commitment to their club, coaches, and teammates.

 

[easoccer]

I'm not sure what the reason is that those parents decided to withdraw from the team, but if they decided it was best for their kids to just train in an academy at this stage, who are we to say otherwise?

Maybe the team as it stood just wasn't working for them in some manner.

Movement early in the season is common, but usually this type of thing is limited to a player or two. Albeit I never heard of players going to an Academy over another team, especially at u15.

Do you know the reasoning behind their decision? Was it an issue with the coach? Was Richmond firm in not solving it for them?

 

[TKBC]

I agree - I think it's wrong they left after 5 games. But at the same time if it's best for their kids to be at an academy we can't say that aspect of the decision is wrong.