Here are a few of the emails being written back and forth concerning coaches conduct in recruiting, using guest players and our conduct around youth soccer.

I think it is time for all of the larger Clubs to get together and create a “Club (Coaches) Code of Honor” that honorable Clubs and coaches will live up to or be ostracized by their fellow coaches.           

It would have to be carefully thought out to make sure it does not create problems for players wanting to take advantage of a unique opportunity.

 For example, if Peter Reynaud ( former SSU, Cal Berkley, Fresno State and Long Beach State Coach) came out retirement and was going to coach an U16 Girls team in Sacramento and I had a daughter that age who had aspirationsfor higher play, I would fight to have her be able to tryout for that opportunity and apologize to her old Club and coach if that meant a move.

  However, I would not fight for her to have the opportunity to play for a month in an effort to win some title – unless that was arranged in a manner in which all the Clubs agreed.           

  We must put the focus on where it belongs – what Clubs and coaches are developing top players? Not what coach uses the system and the hard work and effort of years of other coaches and Clubs to cause disruption among teams and clubs.           

  Most people want respect from their colleagues whether it be doctors, lawyers, teachers, carpenters, or soccer coaches. Let’s give them some guidelines about how to earn and keep that respect. It shouldn’t be by grabbing players someone else helped develop and disrupting other teams and Clubs.            

Why not have  senior and respected coaches listen to concerns and draw up a “Code of Honor”?

The second email:

  Does anyone see the need to establish a Sacramento area coaches
association? Coaches can get things done whereas bureaucratic
organizations like CYSA or overzealous parents cannot.
 
    One troublesome area that could be successfully addressed by coaches
is an ethical model for recruiting and using guest players.
 
    Another is a model for developing players who are already in your
league, so the pool of players expands as players get older, not shrinks
as is currently the case.
 
    Another is an ethical standard of behaviour to which parent should
adhere.
 
    The whole college situation is a source of much misinformation. The
reality is that a few top players are going to be recruited. The vast
majority of the players have to recruit the institutions they want to
attend.
 
    Every year since I've been active in soccer, I've stayed pissed off
for two months during tryouts. The utter b.s. that abounds is incredible.  

  All our coaches are licensed professionals; if you created an
environment that expanded the pie, everyone would benefit. A rising tide
lifts all ships.
 
    Regards, Tom J.