Fairmont Soccer Association Overview

Fairmont Soccer Association Review Jan 2025

Who we are Private Non-Profit Organization composed of volunteers Fairmont Soccer Association continually strives to provide a quality (above the standard, beyond the minimum) soccer program for all kids and adults that want to play the game in a fair, fun, and safeenvironment. We seek to develop the whole person through the game of soccer. We are affiliated with SMSL (Southern Minnesota Soccer League) a member MYSA , US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. We provide soccer programs with volunteer time and talent and no pay for coaches, board members, program developers, or coordinators. Emphasis is placed on education and training of volunteers to grow, develop, and operate a successful youth program.

Is Club Soccer and Fall Soccer the same? No Club-level soccer that reports to SMSL, MYSA, Youth Soccer, and US Soccer. Additional security training required (SafeSport) Based on birth year. (Ages 10 to 19*) Games are full-length No decision or part of any forming of teams or hired help for the school Different Red card system High School follows MSHSL rules. Games are shorter in length Different roster rules than club Based on grade level* (JV may be placed on VAR) not birth year Refs require special training to ref varsity. Rules are slightly different MSHSL requires EMT for games.

Is Club Soccer and Fall Soccer the same? High school varsity coaches can assist FSA in coaching in the spring but for the ages under 13 years old. The high school does not pay FSA or city for field use. They pay FSA for paint and Jeff Kot for the time and labor needed for field setup. High School Soccer games are free since it is a public park. If it is a conference game or tournament game MSHSL requires an entry fee. FSA supports the high school by maintaining equipment and having concessions available. Additional funds may be used to pay for ball signs or other materials as such.

What is SafeSport Required training that reduces the risk of abuse in all forms of minors. What is the abuse? Sexual, Verbal, Physical, Hazing, Retaliation etc How to communicate to minors? No one-on-one communications. Reducing risks of being alone with a minor Identifying and reporting abuse Yearly requirement All board members, Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Team Managers, and players who are 18 on a team with minors.

FSA and Jeffery Kot Complex There is no agreement between FSA and the City of Fairmont as it is a public park. FSA is allowed to use Concession and Garage. The city maintains the buildings and fields. FSA hires Jeff Kot to perform mowing/painting services to prepare the fields for games. Pay for materials such as paint or nets FSA owns all equipment in the concession, garage. FSA owns the sound system, scoreboard and all goals.

Where does my registration money go? Each registration received goes towards Admin fee (background checks) Player fee (State) Team fee (State) Club Fee (MYSA and SMSL) Sponsorship pool Refs-Home games only Maintenance of the field (Paint and Labor) Tournaments Two per team State and other

Competitive Landscape There are 3 levels to club soccer Division 3 or (D3) or Blue Division 2 or (D2) or Black Division 1 SMSL only has D3 and D2 in the pool. *Look at SMSL website for reference The older teams in FSA have been a D2 unless the team has a large age gap then they are a D3. U14 and younger teams are a D3.

How is my child placed on a team? US Soccer policy is the birth year, which is pushed to the registration sign-up website. Cannot override this. If your child s birth year is 2012, the system auto places in a U13. Cannot be placed on a U12 team. Based on the number of registrations, may have enough for a full U13 team or will be pulled up to a U14 to make a full roster. This allows all children to play. Kids feel they are not playing with their age group because of this. Based on FSA registration numbers and SMSL pool, teams are placed to ensure teams have enough games to play. For example if we have a U15 team, they could be put in a U16 pool. Out of FSA control

2024 Review The city installed the canopy near the playground. FSA had 6 goals damaged. Insurance claim filed and received, allowing FSA to purchase 2 new goals 1 lost completely Others used as spares moved to other fields with lower activity. Trees damaged, removed, and replaced. Field 5, Varsity field named Matthew Nielson Field New POS iPads for concessions using Square to track sales and accept cards New equipment in concessions (Pizza Warmer and Nacho Cheese Warmer)

2024 Review Coaching Issues FSA board reviewed complaints about coaches The full board will review the coaches list instead of one person making the decision. Found many coaches didn t attend training 2024. 2025 requirement all coaches will be required to attend training to be able to coach. This requirement was part of core FSA when first started and will be put back in place. Coaches didn t review or agree with the existing coaching guidelines. Moving players up from younger teams was the largest complaint from coaches and parents. The board reviewed the coaching guidelines and modified the section in clear and easy directions to do this.

2024 Review Expectations Had several issues with players and parents. The expectations were never pushed out by the board. The board will print and require all coaches, parents, and players to sign this required to coach or play. Failure to sign will result in not being placed on the roster. Red and Yellow Card Review Few players obtained a lot of red and yellow cards in the Club season. High School cards are tracked in another system and don t apply to Club. The director of Reffing will report red cards more frequently to the board. The board will run more reports to monitor this and develop plans if there are problems. The board now reserves the right not to accept players from the prior season. This is in line with other clubs in SMSL.

2024 Review Expectations and the coach guidelines will be placed on fairmontsoccer.org under resources FSA Board Expectations are under About US near the Bylaw link. FSA is no longer paying for EMTs for high school games. Schools are required to pay under the bylaws of MSHSL Tax filing done by professional services (Pierces Accounting)

2025 Plan Bylaw review and rewrite Shakeout Tournament Coaching training Purchase of 4 goals. Reducing concessions offering Hire Concession Manager Talk to the city about garbage cans and dog bags Talk to the city about speed bumps

2025 Board Changes Members stepping down Tyler T Tracey H Brady M Jeremiah P Members changing positions Brande-Director of Equipment Kacey-Vice President Elizabeth -President

2025 Board Changes The board appointed Andy and Eli as CO-Director of Coaching To provide coaches and goalie training to the organization

Thank you