November 2005

PAGE 5

Challenge Cup Makes Its Debut

between the US Youth Washington State

membership; the President's Cup was

that have not entered a post season tour-

By Bill White

Championships and the Fred Meyer

nament because of the recognition that

the answer to this need.

WSYSA Vice President of Development

Commissioners' Cup.

they might not advance out of prelimi-

The Fred Meyer Commissioners'

he growth of soccer in Washington

T

Teams finishing in the bottom four

nary bracket play to enter and advance.

Cup has grown by nearly fifty teams per

State continues to demand more

positions of Premier II, Classic league

They will have a real opportunity to

year and last year the BU-11 age required

opportunities for play. To this end the

teams, and the top District teams will

reach the finals and become champions.

double header games and a start date in

WSYSA has a new post-season tourna-

enter the Challenge Cup to obtain a level

These four tiers will enhance the

early January. As well, history has shown

ment for our members.

of play commensurate with their playing

post season play for our members and

that most winners of the Fred Meyer

For years we have had the Fred

ability. They will not have to play against

provide additional opportunities for our

Commissioners' Cup were from the

Meyer Commissioners' Cup and the US

the Premier I and top Premier II teams.

children to experience the fun and

Classic league teams that entered. This

Youth Washington State Championships

They will play against like-level teams for

excitement of tournament play. As these

left many teams without a significant

as the main tournaments for post season

a championship.

four tournaments continue to improve

chance for ultimate success--a trip to

The Fred Meyer Commissioners'

they will bring great fun to our children.

play. With the creation of the Vice

the finals.

Cup will appeal to those teams above the

It is for our members that we offer this

President of Recreation position on the

The Challenge Cup is the latest

recreational level and without the higher

new tournament.

WSYSA Board three years ago, an addi-

extension of this growth in soccer. It is

Although not in place for this

level District teams and the lower level

tional emphasis was placed on creating a

meant to provide a post season tourna-

year, I ask that you consider one addi-

premier teams. This will allow teams

level of play for this segment of our

ment for a recognized level of play that is

tional thought for the future--to have

the finalists in the Challenge Cup be pro-

moted to the Premier II level of play.

Referee Education Expands With Challenge Cup

This would expand the number of teams

in Premier II beyond the present number

of eight teams. It would allow very good

By Bill White

referees who were previously excluded

they will see that their continued

players whose teams break up to re-form

WSYSA Vice President of Development

from the semi-final camp due to the lim-

improvement will lead them to the

and be able to reach Premier II through

itation of the number of referees

highest level of referee experience.

the Challenge Cup by being finalists. It is

or the past three years, we have

F

WSYSA could handle.

My challenge to the referee organi-

suggested that this may keep players

been working on improving the

This year we are looking at having

zations and to the WSYSA remains the

playing longer as their choice will not be

quality and quantity of our referees in

two semi-final camps: one for the State

same as I announced it two years ago.

to drop down to the Classic league or

Washington State through increased

Championships level referee and anoth-

Our goal--"the best referees in the

have to re-qualify through the League

opportunities for education and train-

er for the Challenge Cup/Commission-

United States are in Washington State."

Placement Tournament (LPT). They

ing. Our major efforts have been

ers' Cup level referee. The intent is to

Through these efforts we will continue

focused on easy access to continuing

would be one tournament away from

reach another 150 referees that have

toward this worthy status.

education and by an increased emphasis

playing at the Premier II Level.

not been included in the past. Just as

Your support for this continued

on mentoring programs.

If this sounds interesting please send

the referees chosen for the State

education of our referees is needed.

It has been our intent to fashion

your comments or suggestions to me at

Championships receive education, the

Please feel free to submit your com-

education to address referees who are

the WSYSA office. Your input is greatly

developing level referees will have field

ments and suggestions to me at the

at different levels of experience and

appreciated. s

WSYSA Office. s

sessions, mentoring, assessments, and

ability. While we have had referee edu-

education suitable to their developing

cation during our semi-finals at the Fred

talents.

Meyer Commissioners' Cup and the

Next year we would like to expand

Washington State Championships, our

this concept to the President's Cup

efforts have been limited to 150 refer-

level referee and continue to reach out

ees. This education has also been tar-

to support and educate our Washington

geting the highest level of referees with

referees. This would be a third tier of

an eye toward identifying those referees

education suited to three levels of

that may represent Washington State at

referee: beginning, intermediate, and

the US Youth Soccer Far West Regionals

advanced. In this way we can work to

and the National Championships.

bring the novice referee into an envi-

With the advent of the Challenge

ronment that recognizes advancement

Cup we are now ready to offer another

and promotion through education,

level of education to those developing

training, and experience. Hopefully