  |
2007 Fall Season Survey
Fall Travel Club Presidents,
As you know, the Competitive Committee prepared an informal, non-binding survey in effort to gain insight from the clubs who participated in the Fall ’07 Travel League. A copy of which is attached to this message.
Soccer Maine faces a significant obstacle in the 2008 Fall Travel League: the disposition of Division II.
Division II was created several years ago to help those clubs (who are usually smaller in size and/or are less competitive) to form teams and create an environment for them to play in. When SoccerMaine offered only Division I these teams were not competitive and were often being beaten badly -which does not foster player development for either of the competing teams. Over the past two years, and most significantly this past fall travel season, Division II has radically changed as a result of the teams participating in this league. No longer are teams seeking to play in a Division created solely for less competitive teams and afforded an opportunity to play in competitive games, but are choosing to play in Division II for the sole purpose of “winning a championship.” Over the past two Fall Travel seasons there have been teams that did not belong in Division II and were moved into Division I for the year-end playoffs. One of the teams which was moved actually won the Division I championship.
The Fall ’07 Travel League survey results show there is support for retaining Division II -and- to offer a “results oriented” year-end tournament. The Competitive Committee would like to continue to offer this league to the membership but is faced with “problem areas.” Specifically, we have identified the following as “problem areas” for Division II:
1. Teams ‘mis-declaring’ which division they belong in. e.g. declaring Division II when they belong in Division I
2. Identifying criteria for teams to be eligible to play in Division II
3. What controls are required to monitor team compliance?
4. Who will monitor compliance?
5. How do you address teams who ‘mis-declare’ the league they belong in?
The Competitive Committee has invested many hours trying to find a viable and manageable solution to the problem but has unsuccessful. To this end, the Competitive Committee is asking you, the Club Presidents, to provide specific, detailed plans to address the problems listed above. We are hoping that you may have insight that we may have missed. Please prepare your suggestions to address the following problems by Tuesday, April 15, 2008.
If Division II is important to you and your club, please help. Short of having Division II play “non-results oriented games” during the season, then compete in a festival at year end we need to find a solution(s) that we all can live with.
Thank you for participating in the survey and your ongoing support.
Yours in soccer, I am,
lmg
Larry Giddinge
VP Competition
Soccer Maine
Results of survey: MS Excel
|
|
|
