02/08/2014
ATTN PARENTS & PLAYERS OF VELOCITY FC (PLEASE READ)-
**CSC GOES US CLUB SOCCER!!!**
Our parent organization, Cascade Soccer Club, has announced their intention of separating from GRJSA and becoming a recognized club within US Club Soccer and the Puget Sound Premier League structure. What does that mean for the families of Velocity FC? From a family or parent's standpoint fairly little. Tryouts will still be held, teams selected, training session ran, tournaments played in and games completed. But, it does mean that we maintain control of our own programs and the costs associated with playing rec, select and premier soccer for our players. Parents and players will notice fairly small changes but, overall, the direction our program, our teams and our coaches have been heading will continue.
Velocity FC started in 2005 with a single team, the '92s. Since then we have grown and shrunk and then grown again over the years as program has adapted to the needs our player base. And, up until this announcement, CSC and Velocity FC have always been a part of WSYSA. As of the 2014-2015 competitive year that will change as the club and programs (including Impact FC) move to US Club Soccer and PSPL.
Here is a quick Q&A on why the change was made and other items of interest for our players & families-
Q: Why the change to US Club and PSPL now rather than in the past?
A: Our prior governing organization has passed an initiative to absorb all select teams in the association. This effectively gave control over coaches, team/player selection, and (especially) costs over to a board rather than the team.
Q: So, was cost a large consideration when making the decision?
A: Absolutely! The idea of our players paying $1300-$1500 (previously stated at a meeting with current GRJSA and PacNW personnel) was not something we were comfortable with. However, this was not something that anyone at a recent GRJSA board meeting was willing to openly and fully discuss. When confronted with this cost estimate the GRJSA board denied that the meeting took place and/or this cost estimate was ever stated. Note that no other target cost estimate was ever provided.
Q: Will the same 2013-2014 coaches be in place for the upcoming 2014-2015 competitive year?
A: As with any year (governing body change or not) Velocity will review the teams and coaches. While most coaches do return, some do not. This is a normal annual process that the program and club go through.
Q: What is the difference between the leagues we've been playing in and PSPL?
A: To be honest, not much. As the PSPL has grown the ability to provide appropriate competitive level of play has also grown. Most parents will not notice a huge change at all.
Q: Is Velocity still going to exist under the new structure?
A: Absolutely! We already have a number of teams playing in US Club sanctioned leagues such as PSPL.
Q: So, what's next?
A: Teams that are playing their current competitive season will finish out. Any teams choosing to play in a WSYSA Cup can do so. Changes will not effectively take place until tryouts.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected]. I do apologize in advance as we try to catch up on emails and inquiries that have been temporarily pushed aside while this change took place. GO VELOCITY!!!
