Competitive Program
Welcome to the MVSC Comp Program
Competitive soccer in Mill Valley has never been stronger, and the 2009 season offers some exciting changes that will strengthen our program and provide an improved playing and developmental opportunity for all our players.
U.S. Club Soccer
After what was quite literally a two-year discussion, led by the strong guidance of our Director of Coaching and Development, Rick Fullerton, our Board voted to withdraw our affiliation with the state soccer organization, and register our entire soccer program with U.S. Club Soccer. MVSC was not alone in making this affiliation change. Central Marin, Novato, Tiburon, West Marin, SCA and most of the top competitive clubs in our district have also elected to move their competitive programs from CYSA North to US Club. As such, we expect that our teams will continue to play against most of the same local clubs (plus a few new clubs) who have historically been a part of our competition.
The collective move to US Club should allow for significant improvements to the playing program for the competitive player. Of significance for our club, the false separation between Select and Upperhouse teams, or Class 1 vs. Class 3, has been eliminated. This artificial distinction that exists in the state organization created a barrier of movement and placed restrictions on competition, thereby impeding the development of our players and teams. By placing all players, and all teams in a “competitive” pool with the other clubs in our district, we have greater flexibility and greater control over who we play. What does this mean?
Improved Competition and Better Development
Our Director of Coaching, together with our coaching staff, will have the opportunity to gauge a team's ability and seed them, together with other coaching directors, against other teams of comparable ability for league play. Divisions of competition will be created throughout the playing league, with teams of approximately equal developmental ability playing each other week to week. No more will a club that sponsors only one team place their “select” players in an “upperhouse” division for the sake of easy victories. Similarly, the misplacement of a comparatively strong team into a weak playing pool, creating a scenario of limited challenge or growth, should be avoided. By eliminating the “Select” and “Upperhouse” categories, the intent is to create a larger pool of competitive teams. With a larger pool of teams, we hope to form playing leagues with greater parity than we have often experienced in the past. Based on the knowledgeable assessment of soccer professionals, all of our teams should find improved competition and better developmental opportunities. Plus, the games should be more fun for all.
In addition, the move to US Club will ensure that our teams will no longer have to travel to Eureka for league play.
Because the false categories of Select and Upperhouse have been removed, so too have the false names. All teams are competitive. Because we generally form two teams in each age group, Leslie Winokur, our Director of Competitive Soccer, is implementing the following naming conventions club wide to assist in team recognition:
| GENDER |
1ST TEAM
| 2ND TEAM |
| BOYS |
MILL VALLEY FUSION |
MILL VALLEY FUSION RED |
| GIRLS |
MILL VALLEY ROCKERS |
MILL VALLEY ROCKERS RED |
In the case that we should form a third team within an age group, they will be identified as MV Fusion WHITE and MV Rockers WHITE. A consistent naming theme will allow for better club recognition, both in our community and outside at tournaments and away games. By unifying around a consistent name, we are clearly supporting the best aspects of being a club. We are united in our goals, our efforts and our support of all Mill Valley teams.
With change come challenges. We make this move with the full anticipation of an improved playing experience for all, but also the awareness that there will be bumps along the way. US Club, together with the officials of the Norcal Premier League in which we will play, are committed to working with us, developing the players and teams, and striving toward a playing experience that focuses on the best soccer our area has to offer. If you have questions about the season or post-season play, work with your manager and coach, or Rick, Leslie and me, to better understand the process so that together, we can make the process better.
Welcome to US Club and MVSC, and have a great season!
Jon Bontz
President, MVSC
