March 31, 2003

President's Report from the Recent Meeting of US Youth State Presidents

I attended a meeting of the state presidents of the US Youth Soccer Association over the weekend of March 28-30 in Denver, Colorado. Two major issues dominated the meeting: (1) the governing structure of the United States Soccer Federation, and (2) the process for administering travel of teams across state lines. The majority of the meeting was devoted to the first issue, but the majority of the progress from the weekend was probably made on the second.

To provide background on the first issue, here is a brief primer on the governing structure for soccer in this country and how it applies to Utah. The US Olympic Committee has designated the United States Soccer Federation ("USSF" or "US Soccer Federation") as the governing body for soccer in the country. The US Soccer Federation affiliates with FIFA on the international level, and it serves as the parent body for all soccer organizations in this country, ranging from professional leagues (including MLS, WUSA, A League, and USL), amateur organizations (such as the Utah Soccer Association), and youth organizations such as the United States Youth Soccer Association ("US Youth"). The US Soccer Federation also recognizes governing bodies---called national state associations ("NSA")--within each of the states (a few of the larger states such as California and Texas are divided geographically and have two NSAs). The Utah Youth Soccer Association ("UYSA"), as the largest youth soccer organization in Utah, serves as the youth National State Association for USSF and also as the local affiliate for US Youth Soccer.

At issue is the governing structure of the United States Soccer Federation. Currently, the NSAs and US Youth Soccer jointly represent more than 3.2 million members, which constitutes--by far---the largest share of the US Soccer Federation's membership. But the current governing structure of the US Soccer Federation is a far cry from a representative one member, one vote system. To the contrary, the current system discriminates against youth members by diluting their influence. Consider, for instance, that the combined voting strength of the youth organizations and the adult amateur organizations---which collectively represent the vast majority of USSF's membership---slips significantly below the 50% threshold.

US Youth Soccer and the NSAs believe that fairness, equity, and the law all require that changes be made in USSF's governing structure. We believe that our members should have a voice reflecting the relative size of our membership, and we believe that our organizations--like Utah Youth Soccer---should have rights commensurate with the responsibilities that we have accepted from USSF. This weekend I worked with other state presidents to prepare proposals to change USSF's bylaws to establish a more equitable system. Our objective is ensure that your voice is heard.

These bylaw proposals, which will be publicly released later this month, will be jointly sponsored by US Youth Soccer and the 55 National State Associations. We are also hopeful that other soccer organizations---particularly the adult amateur organizations--will join the chorus to seek fairness and equity at the US Soccer Federation.

The bylaw proposals will be considered in August at the Annual General Meeting of the United States Soccer Federation. We are hopeful that our proposals will be adopted. The proposals are fair and we seek nothing more than equitable treatment. But we are also realistic that fairness may not overcome the natural resistance of an existing power structure to yield any authority. For that reason, we are also taking steps to prepare to vindicate the legal rights of our members. The current system, we believe, does not satisfy the requirements of the US Olympic Committee and the Amateur Sports Act. Accordingly, if fairness and equity cannot be achieved within USSF's current political structure, it may become necessary to seek justice through other channels. That is why US Youth Soccer has called upon the state associations, including Utah Youth Soccer, to make a payment towards a legal defense fund. Based on the size of UYSA's membership, US Youth Soccer has called upon UYSA for a contribution of $2,000. Next month I will ask UYSA's Board of Directors to fund this contribution (I will also ask the Board to reduce by an identical amount the appropriation it made in January towards our nascent foundation so that we can keep our legal expenses within budget).

The second major topic at the meeting this weekend was travel policies. US Youth Soccer's Board of Directors is preparing a new set of policies that will govern travel across state lines. The goal is to better serve our members by making the travel process simpler without sacrificing the safeguards and protection that the current system affords to players. To achieve these aims, US Youth Soccer is moving from an "approval-based" system toward a "notification-based" system, whereby teams desiring to travel under the auspices of US Youth Soccer to US Youth Soccer events would need only notify the state association of the team's travel plans.

The Utah Youth Soccer Association is working to be on the forefront of these changes. As a coach, I know that the travel process can and must be made easier and more convenient. I am working to improve the status quo on several fronts. First, at these national meetings of US Youth Soccer, my voice has advocated changes meant to simplify (and, to the extent possible under USSF rules, eliminate) the travel-approval process. Second, I have opened negotiations with our neighboring states to create agreements for "Free Travel Zones" so that teams from our states may cross borders without travel papers. Finally, Utah Youth Soccer is working to develop an "E-Travel" system so that teams will be able to obtain travel papers through UYSA's website. Last month the Board of Directors granted my request for funding to improve the website. I am thus hopeful that we will be able to implement an "E-Travel" system in the coming months.

I will, of course, keep you appraised of any important developments concerning the issues discussed at this weekend's meeting. In the meantime, you are welcome to contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns about these matters. I welcome your feedback so that I might represent you better.

Paul C. Burke
President
Utah Youth Soccer Association
www.utahyouthsoccer.net