Zguy,
Any word on what the recommendation was last night? They published the minutes from last month which say they are recommending a club model.
http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/docs/minutes/rp_min/10-01-09.pdf
YOUTH FOOTBALL UPDATE
Mr. Rollins gave a brief overview of the current situation with youth football. He also provided a handout of R&P’s response to issues and assertions raised by the leagues during the September 3, 2009 meeting.
Staff is recommending the Club Model for youth football in St. Mary’s County for next year. Under this plan, community based non-profit, youth football organizations would be established to register players, create teams, fund raise, purchase equipment and enter teams into age and weight divisions of a countywide league that is administered by R&P. R&P would provide oversight for football operations as league administrator; establish and collect fees for league operations (game officials, field lights, field markers, other incidental costs); assign practice and game sites; administer player weigh-ins; provide a league game schedule; contract game officials; oversee league activities at County parks; continue to manage Community Standards program coaches training, background checks, parent training and code of ethics); and mark game fields. The new Board of Directors would consist of the league administrator (R&P staff) and Board members (presidents of each club).
R&P is concerned there could be three football leagues in the County next year if Pigskin comes back, as they propose to do; this will cause problems with field scheduling. R&P’s recommendation is that youth football programs must participate in the St. Mary’s County Youth Football League in order to use County fields. The main reasons for this are to help unify youth football in the County; provide accountability; and provide impartial leadership. The exception to this would be older divisions where there aren’t enough in-County teams for a County league or for Club sponsored select teams participating in other, more competitive leagues. Clubs could play older kids in
Charles or Calvert County.
Currently, the Pax River Raiders are a club in the Calvert County league. Staff feels that they should be able to play in the St. Mary’s league as a club.
Bob Richardson stated the league administrator may act in a similar fashion as the Commissioner for Babe Ruth Baseball where the teams run themselves but come to the Commissioner with issues and concerns.
Lisa Wainger-Rush asked about the issue of boundaries. Mr. Rollins stated that a policy would need to be established to either have boundaries or be County-wide; there are pros and cons to each. Boundaries would eliminate recruitment, as some feel kids should play where they want. If boundaries are established, once families make the choice of the club they want to play with they won’t be able to switch clubs. Calvert County had boundaries in the past; they do not at this time. The details will need to be worked out in the future by the Board of Directors.
Ms. Wainger-Rush asked how R&P proposes to settle issues and reach consensus. Mr. Rollins stated that under the Club Model, the League Board of Directors (Presidents from each Club) and R&P staff would meet and work to resolve issues. Some issues would be brought to the R&P Board for discussion and policy establishment.
No decision on staff’s recommendation has been made at this time. Staff has had some positive discussions recently with both the SMYFL and the Pax Rivers Raiders. Mr. Rollins stated that this recommendation can’t work unless both leagues are on board with the plan. However, the County may need to say that this is the direction youth football should be going if County fields are to be used. He feels everyone can work together to form a successful Club Model league or similar arrangement in St. Mary’s.
As it stands, staff feels there are four options.
1. The Club Model (which is R&P’s recommendation)
2. Leave things as they are
3. The current leagues agree to form a unified program
4. Implement a phased approach to the Club Model beginning with the older players
Mr. Hicks asked if any additional response has been received from parents; Mr. Rollins stated that no further response has been received.
Chairman Dugan asked if the Department has any idea on how the Board of County Commissioners feels about the recommendation this time around. Mr. Rollins stated that while he has some individual discussions about the matter with the Commissioners, he’s not sure what they would recommend as a Board at this time.
Staff will e-mail information on the Calvert and Charles County leagues to the Board before the next meeting. David Phalen stated that seeing the framework and responsibilities for the programs would also be helpful.
The R&P Board will take staff’s recommendation under advisement and make a
recommendation on youth football during their next meeting. Staff would like to present information to the BOCC and obtain direction by the end of the year.
