Westman Regional Soccer Association comes down hard on BYSA

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This article was published 11/07/2018 (2742 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the second time this year, the Westman Regional Soccer Association (WRSA) has declared the Brandon Youth Soccer Association (BYSA) as a member not in good standing, raising questions on what the future holds for soccer in Brandon.

BYSA will not be allowed to take part in any WRSA programming effective immediately, according to WRSA president Meagan Ferguson.

They are also not able to participate in sanctioned activities such as league competition, tournaments and travel, or receive insurance coverage, third-party liability, coaching and referee education through WRSA.

“The WRSA wanted to ensure that no players or coaches were affected by this sanctioning, as our top priority is to have players on the field enjoying the game,” Ferguson said. “As such, there are currently no competitions or programming that have been registered through BYSA, as to not affect any individual members.

“Coaches are all still eligible to participate in any coach education offered by WRSA or Manitoba Soccer Association, as they are considered individual members of WRSA.”

WRSA sent a letter to BYSA’s board of directors on April 13, outlining concerns regarding how some executive decisions and a lack of communication was preventing WRSA and BYSA from establishing a strong working relationship and was also causing unnecessary confusion and frustration for coaches, parents and players.

WRSA said BYSA exhibited no changes in its actions.

“BYSA failed to meet obligations regarding registration, finances, coaches, communication to members, fields, rosters and the facilitation of a mini soccer program in Brandon,” Ferguson said, adding she couldn’t give specific examples of incidents but said in some instances that they failed to share information with the WRSA, meet deadlines and follow outlined procedures.

As a result, four disciplinary actions were put in place against BYSA.

In addition to being fined $500 to reimburse WRSA for the time and resources used when BYSA failed to fulfil its responsibilities, WRSA also mandated a performance bond of $2,000 — which will be returned to the BYSA upon maintaining a member in good standing status for one year.

BYSA must also follow all bylaws of WRSA — specifically relating to the functions and powers of the executive committee overruling or changing motions that had already been passed — undergo board governance training and a third-party audit.

There is no timeline put in place for BYSA to comply with the disciplinary actions, Ferguson said, adding that it’s up to them to reconcile with the four conditions as soon as possible so that they can be recognized again as a member in good standing.

“At the beginning of the season, the WRSA met with all of our community associations and shared with them what their roles and responsibilities would be,” Ferguson said. “Essentially these areas they failed in were items that were clearly laid out ahead of time that it would be their responsibility to fulfil … The exact same communications were sent to our other community partners and they were all able to meet those obligations.”

WRSA, Manitoba’s first ever regional soccer association, was established just this year, with Brandon, Minnedosa, Rivers and Neepawa as its initial members. Its goal is to improve the quality of soccer in the area by organizing leagues, training coaches better and focusing more on practices than games.

WRSA also runs the Westman FC high performance program.

The four community organizations, including BYSA, are responsible for registering the players, booking and maintaining the fields, having jerseys for the players and booking the referees for the games. The regional association makes the schedules based on field availability provided by the four community organizations.

BYSA chair Sylvain Berube said they are still adjusting to the new system and the “major changes” that have been put in place, adding they intend to follow the requirements as soon as possible.

“The bottom line is that we have to work as a team … At this point the BYSA board of directors followed the rules and regulations, communication is always in place. Of course there is always room for improvement, like anything else, but at the end of the day … it’s pretty clear we have to follow what we’re supposed to do as a board,” Berube said.

“We have to stand by their decision … Hopefully as soon as possible so we can go back on the field. The goal is to play soccer and have fun, make sure the kids participate at all ages and every level. This is our mission.”

WRSA is currently working on specifics for how youth programming will move forward in Brandon, Ferguson said, and will be holding an information session for all WRSA members and to anyone in Brandon interested in the growth and development of soccer in the city.

The session will be held on Monday, July 23 at 7 p.m. in Theatre A of the Brodie Building at Brandon University. It will include a question-and-answer period so WRSA can hear from Brandon members, Ferguson said.

“I can assure you that there will be youth soccer offered at all ages and levels to Brandon residents and WRSA will continue to ensure the delivery of quality soccer programs for all,” Ferguson said.

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