US Soccer Changes
Dear So Cal Rush Members,
Please take a few moments to click on the following link and read/watch the message from US Soccer.
We must work together to ensure success. This is a reoccurring message from US Soccer directed towards its members. Now more than ever So Cal Rush believes that this is critical. As a result, we are in support of the new initiatives.
To reiterate, the two initiatives are specific to small sided match standards for age groups U12 and below as well as birth year registration (January 1 – December 31 as opposed to August 1 – July 31). Where the small sided standards will be set in place for 12 year olds and younger, the birth year registration will be relative to all youth ages from 6 – 19. These two initiatives put US Soccer in line with soccer around the world.
US Soccer is asking of all clubs and coaches at the local level to play a key role in the success of the new player development initiatives being put in place by US Soccer and subsequently by US Soccer sanctioned leagues and organizations (including Colorado Soccer Association). As a club, we are asking for the support of our coaches to help our club (and thus our players) develop and to support the guidelines put forth by the leader in our country, US Soccer. We are also asking for support from our members. We are asking for patience, open-mindedness and trust. Change is received differently by each individual. We understand that and are sensitive to it. The initiatives themselves have been handed to us. Like it or not, change is coming. Though US Soccer states that implementation is a “best practice” as of 2016 and they become mandate in 2017, we have already been made aware that USYS and US Club Soccer will be implementing the initiatives beginning August 2016.
“We are a big country and therefore the task at hand for our federation is tremendous. For US Soccer to bring in local markets from around the country and recognize that each market, each club plays a role in the development of American soccer players, from grassroots right on up to world cup stars, is a remarkable statement. How can people not get on board? Never mind aligning our country with the rest of the world. Aligning our country from state to state and club to club is a much more significant and vital task. Colorado Rush supports US Soccer in its efforts.” This was a statement by Colorado Rush technical director, Erik Bushey. So do we here at So Cal Rush!
The So Cal Rush club directors are here to assist our club team coaches throughout this process and to answer questions of the membership as needed.
From US Soccer:
Support is key. Unless we do this together, we wont be successful. Please have patience as these changes are implemented, as change takes time and it can be uncomfortable.
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Overall, the success of these initiatives will be limited without the support and execution at the local level. This long-term plan is truly a collaborative effort between U.S. Soccer and all of its members. Together, we have the ability to transform the soccer landscape to develop players to best of their abilities.