Discovery League

Yeah, that was a surprising result for that Legends West team. They are a very good. Made the final 8 in National Cup and beat another Discovery Division team 5-1 last month. Excellent coaches in my view and impressive speed and ball skills on the field. Like Beach they must have been missing some players.

You are correct our team was missing 6 players that weekend, mine being one of them. Thank you for the compliments to our team, we do have great coaches and players.
 
This was just released, apparently everything is not copacetic.


"To all Discovery Division Team Contacts and Club Officials - URGENT - PLEASE READ AND FORWARD TO ALL PARENTS/COACHES/PLAYERS

After the 3rd week of Discovery Division games it is time to send an email addressing the inexcussable parental and coach behavior being exibited during Discovery Division games. This past weekend was especially out of control and the time has come to make some decisions about this type of behavior moving forward.

While the SCDSL and the Discovery Division are not the US Soccer Developmental Academy nor ECNL, this does not make it ok for coaches and parents to behave the way they have been. The Discovery Division is the Elite division in the SCDSL. Teams apply for acceptance and earn their way into this Elite division and are invited in to the division. It would be a shame for teams to not be accepted moving forward because parents and coaches can't control themselves which can happen. We have a zero tolerance for parents who can not sit down and enjoy their kids games and for coaches that take the position that referee abuse is the proper example to set for their players.

Therefore, beginning this weekend, any parent issues on the side line, whether it's one parent or multiple parents on the sideline, the whole sideline (for that team) will be instructed to leave and while that may seem harsh, US Soccer and ECNL would be a whole lot more harsh in the consequences they would impose for such behavior.

Coaches that argue with referees, encourage poor behavior by the parents and condone poor sportsmanship from the players will also be instructed to leave and suspensions will be imposed.

The parents, coaches and players in this division are held to the highest of standards and we simply will not accept intolerable behavior from teams that are "invited" in to this division.

Parents - complaining to the referees and about the referees gets you nowhere. Emailing me complaining about the referees will not get you a response. We have a policy in place regarding this and we have an On-Site Referee Coordinator to deal with referee issues. Attacking referees but verbally and physically, will only get the offender an extended suspension. The same applies to coaches. It does not matter what club you are with or what your name is. This type of behavior WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Players - Remember the suspensions for Violent Conduct and Referee Abuse. It's a minimum of 3-games and, depending on what the offense is, the disciplinary committee can add more. That's for the 1st offense. Another send-off for Violent Conduct or Referee Abuse is 6-games and your season will be over. Red cards also carry over into next season so don't risk the chance of missing the majoirty of this season and some of next. Red cards can not be argues away, rescinded or changed.

Club Officials - you may want to reiterate to the parents, players and coaching staff so that they understand the consequences of improper behavior and the risk they are taking of not getting accepted in to the Division next season. Maybe a reminder from the Club leadership to those in the Discovery Division will assist everyone in understanding the importance of proper behavior on the sideline.

When SCDSL staff and the Referee Site Coordinator have to sit on a sideline and baby-sit the parents for a full game, there is a problem.

When staff have to sit behind a team bench for a whole game, there is a problem.

When players are trying to calm their parents down on the sideline - that's a problem.

When a player who has been sent-off in a game and is sitting on the bench decides to run on the field and join in another fight - that's a problem.

When a parent decides that attacking a referee and putting in him a chokehold is acceptable behavior - that's a crime.

When a coach verbally assaults a minor referee and follows her to not just her chair but to the parking lot - that's a crime.

When a coach has to be held back by a manager and assistant coach to keep him from attacking a referee - that's a problem.

Please respect the referees - even the bad ones - and just sit and enjoy the games. We will deal with the referees if they are not up to our standards. We deal with them quicker than any of you realize so let us do what we do and please just enjoy your children and their games. Respect the parents from the opposing teams. Respect all of the players on the field and be a positive example for the players. Don't be the parent(s) that causes a game to be terminated in the 32nd minute because the parents couldn't control themselves so their child's game gets forfeited because of them, not because of anything happening on this field (yes this happened).

If you are that unhappy with the referees - be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Become a referee. But remember WHY we have the shortage of quality referees. Because they can't handle the constant abuse from the parents and coaches. We lost no less than 5 referees this weekend becuase of situations involving coaches and parents. Take this seriously.

We will be tracking these issues and we will be clearing sidelines and ejecting coaches.

I hate sending emails like this but the reminder was necessary and hopefully will help parents/coaches/players to understand that the Discovery Division is an honor to play in and everyone's behavior goes a long way ensuring the success of this division in the SCDSL moving forward.

Thank you

Michelle
"
 
This was just released, apparently everything is not copacetic.


"To all Discovery Division Team Contacts and Club Officials - URGENT - PLEASE READ AND FORWARD TO ALL PARENTS/COACHES/PLAYERS

After the 3rd week of Discovery Division games it is time to send an email addressing the inexcussable parental and coach behavior being exibited during Discovery Division games. This past weekend was especially out of control and the time has come to make some decisions about this type of behavior moving forward.

While the SCDSL and the Discovery Division are not the US Soccer Developmental Academy nor ECNL, this does not make it ok for coaches and parents to behave the way they have been. The Discovery Division is the Elite division in the SCDSL. Teams apply for acceptance and earn their way into this Elite division and are invited in to the division. It would be a shame for teams to not be accepted moving forward because parents and coaches can't control themselves which can happen. We have a zero tolerance for parents who can not sit down and enjoy their kids games and for coaches that take the position that referee abuse is the proper example to set for their players.

Therefore, beginning this weekend, any parent issues on the side line, whether it's one parent or multiple parents on the sideline, the whole sideline (for that team) will be instructed to leave and while that may seem harsh, US Soccer and ECNL would be a whole lot more harsh in the consequences they would impose for such behavior.

Coaches that argue with referees, encourage poor behavior by the parents and condone poor sportsmanship from the players will also be instructed to leave and suspensions will be imposed.

The parents, coaches and players in this division are held to the highest of standards and we simply will not accept intolerable behavior from teams that are "invited" in to this division.

Parents - complaining to the referees and about the referees gets you nowhere. Emailing me complaining about the referees will not get you a response. We have a policy in place regarding this and we have an On-Site Referee Coordinator to deal with referee issues. Attacking referees but verbally and physically, will only get the offender an extended suspension. The same applies to coaches. It does not matter what club you are with or what your name is. This type of behavior WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Players - Remember the suspensions for Violent Conduct and Referee Abuse. It's a minimum of 3-games and, depending on what the offense is, the disciplinary committee can add more. That's for the 1st offense. Another send-off for Violent Conduct or Referee Abuse is 6-games and your season will be over. Red cards also carry over into next season so don't risk the chance of missing the majoirty of this season and some of next. Red cards can not be argues away, rescinded or changed.

Club Officials - you may want to reiterate to the parents, players and coaching staff so that they understand the consequences of improper behavior and the risk they are taking of not getting accepted in to the Division next season. Maybe a reminder from the Club leadership to those in the Discovery Division will assist everyone in understanding the importance of proper behavior on the sideline.

When SCDSL staff and the Referee Site Coordinator have to sit on a sideline and baby-sit the parents for a full game, there is a problem.

When staff have to sit behind a team bench for a whole game, there is a problem.

When players are trying to calm their parents down on the sideline - that's a problem.

When a player who has been sent-off in a game and is sitting on the bench decides to run on the field and join in another fight - that's a problem.

When a parent decides that attacking a referee and putting in him a chokehold is acceptable behavior - that's a crime.

When a coach verbally assaults a minor referee and follows her to not just her chair but to the parking lot - that's a crime.

When a coach has to be held back by a manager and assistant coach to keep him from attacking a referee - that's a problem.

Please respect the referees - even the bad ones - and just sit and enjoy the games. We will deal with the referees if they are not up to our standards. We deal with them quicker than any of you realize so let us do what we do and please just enjoy your children and their games. Respect the parents from the opposing teams. Respect all of the players on the field and be a positive example for the players. Don't be the parent(s) that causes a game to be terminated in the 32nd minute because the parents couldn't control themselves so their child's game gets forfeited because of them, not because of anything happening on this field (yes this happened).

If you are that unhappy with the referees - be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Become a referee. But remember WHY we have the shortage of quality referees. Because they can't handle the constant abuse from the parents and coaches. We lost no less than 5 referees this weekend becuase of situations involving coaches and parents. Take this seriously.

We will be tracking these issues and we will be clearing sidelines and ejecting coaches.

I hate sending emails like this but the reminder was necessary and hopefully will help parents/coaches/players to understand that the Discovery Division is an honor to play in and everyone's behavior goes a long way ensuring the success of this division in the SCDSL moving forward.

Thank you

Michelle
"
Good heavens, if even one of those things described in that letter are true, that's pretty terrible.

Side note: Anyone else find the repeated references to ECNL and DA leagues a bit odd? That sort of behavior would be unacceptable at ANY level of sports. From rec league and AYSO to the pro level. Period. No need to qualify it.
 
This was just released, apparently everything is not copacetic.


"To all Discovery Division Team Contacts and Club Officials - URGENT - PLEASE READ AND FORWARD TO ALL PARENTS/COACHES/PLAYERS

After the 3rd week of Discovery Division games it is time to send an email addressing the inexcussable parental and coach behavior being exibited during Discovery Division games. This past weekend was especially out of control and the time has come to make some decisions about this type of behavior moving forward.

While the SCDSL and the Discovery Division are not the US Soccer Developmental Academy nor ECNL, this does not make it ok for coaches and parents to behave the way they have been. The Discovery Division is the Elite division in the SCDSL. Teams apply for acceptance and earn their way into this Elite division and are invited in to the division. It would be a shame for teams to not be accepted moving forward because parents and coaches can't control themselves which can happen. We have a zero tolerance for parents who can not sit down and enjoy their kids games and for coaches that take the position that referee abuse is the proper example to set for their players.

Therefore, beginning this weekend, any parent issues on the side line, whether it's one parent or multiple parents on the sideline, the whole sideline (for that team) will be instructed to leave and while that may seem harsh, US Soccer and ECNL would be a whole lot more harsh in the consequences they would impose for such behavior.

Coaches that argue with referees, encourage poor behavior by the parents and condone poor sportsmanship from the players will also be instructed to leave and suspensions will be imposed.

The parents, coaches and players in this division are held to the highest of standards and we simply will not accept intolerable behavior from teams that are "invited" in to this division.

Parents - complaining to the referees and about the referees gets you nowhere. Emailing me complaining about the referees will not get you a response. We have a policy in place regarding this and we have an On-Site Referee Coordinator to deal with referee issues. Attacking referees but verbally and physically, will only get the offender an extended suspension. The same applies to coaches. It does not matter what club you are with or what your name is. This type of behavior WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Players - Remember the suspensions for Violent Conduct and Referee Abuse. It's a minimum of 3-games and, depending on what the offense is, the disciplinary committee can add more. That's for the 1st offense. Another send-off for Violent Conduct or Referee Abuse is 6-games and your season will be over. Red cards also carry over into next season so don't risk the chance of missing the majoirty of this season and some of next. Red cards can not be argues away, rescinded or changed.

Club Officials - you may want to reiterate to the parents, players and coaching staff so that they understand the consequences of improper behavior and the risk they are taking of not getting accepted in to the Division next season. Maybe a reminder from the Club leadership to those in the Discovery Division will assist everyone in understanding the importance of proper behavior on the sideline.

When SCDSL staff and the Referee Site Coordinator have to sit on a sideline and baby-sit the parents for a full game, there is a problem.

When staff have to sit behind a team bench for a whole game, there is a problem.

When players are trying to calm their parents down on the sideline - that's a problem.

When a player who has been sent-off in a game and is sitting on the bench decides to run on the field and join in another fight - that's a problem.

When a parent decides that attacking a referee and putting in him a chokehold is acceptable behavior - that's a crime.

When a coach verbally assaults a minor referee and follows her to not just her chair but to the parking lot - that's a crime.

When a coach has to be held back by a manager and assistant coach to keep him from attacking a referee - that's a problem.

Please respect the referees - even the bad ones - and just sit and enjoy the games. We will deal with the referees if they are not up to our standards. We deal with them quicker than any of you realize so let us do what we do and please just enjoy your children and their games. Respect the parents from the opposing teams. Respect all of the players on the field and be a positive example for the players. Don't be the parent(s) that causes a game to be terminated in the 32nd minute because the parents couldn't control themselves so their child's game gets forfeited because of them, not because of anything happening on this field (yes this happened).

If you are that unhappy with the referees - be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Become a referee. But remember WHY we have the shortage of quality referees. Because they can't handle the constant abuse from the parents and coaches. We lost no less than 5 referees this weekend becuase of situations involving coaches and parents. Take this seriously.

We will be tracking these issues and we will be clearing sidelines and ejecting coaches.

I hate sending emails like this but the reminder was necessary and hopefully will help parents/coaches/players to understand that the Discovery Division is an honor to play in and everyone's behavior goes a long way ensuring the success of this division in the SCDSL moving forward.

Thank you

Michelle
"

Same message went out to all SCDSL teams too.
 
I'll ask it again - Why not put the parents on the same side as the team?
A-hole coaches and A-hole sidelines will still exist. But at least it will give a coach a chance to hear and address anything their sideline is doing.
 
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Good heavens, if even one of those things described in that letter are true, that's pretty terrible.

Side note: Anyone else find the repeated references to ECNL and DA leagues a bit odd? That sort of behavior would be unacceptable at ANY level of sports. From rec league and AYSO to the pro level. Period. No need to qualify it.

That struck me as very odd as well. Not a professionally written letter but it certainly gets its point across.

I hope they permanently banned the "chokehold parent" and the "stalker coach" from SCDSL.
 
I'll ask it again - Why not put the parents on the same side as the team?
A-hole coaches and A-hole sidelines will still exist. But at least it will give a coach a chance to hear and address anything their sideline is doing.
Chances are the coach hears everything going on..BUT..is probably the driving force behind all that bad behavior.
 
And the reference to a coach actually following a referee who is a minor (or even an adult for that matter) out to the parking lot...that's just plain stupid. You never know who brought young Sally or Sammy or what their occupation might be. Or the spouse who rolled to the game with his/her spouse just because. You're asking for more trouble than you're probably capable of handling if you aren't careful.
 
Different game but wondering What level are these esteem Discovery league referees who are not protecting players out there! Or only protecting certain (his) team/players.

Our Goalie got side swiped from behind from attacker and hobble with one leg, caution, another attacker side swipe defender, referee waive off caution. Our players touches their players, caution or yellow cards flying. Have to admit, almost lost it out there, and would lose it if my son were hurt with one sided refereeing. Norco need to provide better game monitoring not just on parents, refereeing as well with all the parking money thy collected.
 
This was just released, apparently everything is not copacetic.


"To all Discovery Division Team Contacts and Club Officials - URGENT - PLEASE READ AND FORWARD TO ALL PARENTS/COACHES/PLAYERS

After the 3rd week of Discovery Division games it is time to send an email addressing the inexcussable parental and coach behavior being exibited during Discovery Division games. This past weekend was especially out of control and the time has come to make some decisions about this type of behavior moving forward.

While the SCDSL and the Discovery Division are not the US Soccer Developmental Academy nor ECNL, this does not make it ok for coaches and parents to behave the way they have been. The Discovery Division is the Elite division in the SCDSL. Teams apply for acceptance and earn their way into this Elite division and are invited in to the division. It would be a shame for teams to not be accepted moving forward because parents and coaches can't control themselves which can happen. We have a zero tolerance for parents who can not sit down and enjoy their kids games and for coaches that take the position that referee abuse is the proper example to set for their players.

Therefore, beginning this weekend, any parent issues on the side line, whether it's one parent or multiple parents on the sideline, the whole sideline (for that team) will be instructed to leave and while that may seem harsh, US Soccer and ECNL would be a whole lot more harsh in the consequences they would impose for such behavior.

Coaches that argue with referees, encourage poor behavior by the parents and condone poor sportsmanship from the players will also be instructed to leave and suspensions will be imposed.

The parents, coaches and players in this division are held to the highest of standards and we simply will not accept intolerable behavior from teams that are "invited" in to this division.

Parents - complaining to the referees and about the referees gets you nowhere. Emailing me complaining about the referees will not get you a response. We have a policy in place regarding this and we have an On-Site Referee Coordinator to deal with referee issues. Attacking referees but verbally and physically, will only get the offender an extended suspension. The same applies to coaches. It does not matter what club you are with or what your name is. This type of behavior WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Players - Remember the suspensions for Violent Conduct and Referee Abuse. It's a minimum of 3-games and, depending on what the offense is, the disciplinary committee can add more. That's for the 1st offense. Another send-off for Violent Conduct or Referee Abuse is 6-games and your season will be over. Red cards also carry over into next season so don't risk the chance of missing the majoirty of this season and some of next. Red cards can not be argues away, rescinded or changed.

Club Officials - you may want to reiterate to the parents, players and coaching staff so that they understand the consequences of improper behavior and the risk they are taking of not getting accepted in to the Division next season. Maybe a reminder from the Club leadership to those in the Discovery Division will assist everyone in understanding the importance of proper behavior on the sideline.

When SCDSL staff and the Referee Site Coordinator have to sit on a sideline and baby-sit the parents for a full game, there is a problem.

When staff have to sit behind a team bench for a whole game, there is a problem.

When players are trying to calm their parents down on the sideline - that's a problem.

When a player who has been sent-off in a game and is sitting on the bench decides to run on the field and join in another fight - that's a problem.

When a parent decides that attacking a referee and putting in him a chokehold is acceptable behavior - that's a crime.

When a coach verbally assaults a minor referee and follows her to not just her chair but to the parking lot - that's a crime.

When a coach has to be held back by a manager and assistant coach to keep him from attacking a referee - that's a problem.

Please respect the referees - even the bad ones - and just sit and enjoy the games. We will deal with the referees if they are not up to our standards. We deal with them quicker than any of you realize so let us do what we do and please just enjoy your children and their games. Respect the parents from the opposing teams. Respect all of the players on the field and be a positive example for the players. Don't be the parent(s) that causes a game to be terminated in the 32nd minute because the parents couldn't control themselves so their child's game gets forfeited because of them, not because of anything happening on this field (yes this happened).

If you are that unhappy with the referees - be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Become a referee. But remember WHY we have the shortage of quality referees. Because they can't handle the constant abuse from the parents and coaches. We lost no less than 5 referees this weekend becuase of situations involving coaches and parents. Take this seriously.

We will be tracking these issues and we will be clearing sidelines and ejecting coaches.

I hate sending emails like this but the reminder was necessary and hopefully will help parents/coaches/players to understand that the Discovery Division is an honor to play in and everyone's behavior goes a long way ensuring the success of this division in the SCDSL moving forward.

Thank you

Michelle
"
Long drives. Expensive parking. Heat. Week after week. It's a lot of stress on coaches and parents unless they live out there.
 
That struck me as very odd as well. Not a professionally written letter but it certainly gets its point across.

I hope they permanently banned the "chokehold parent" and the "stalker coach" from SCDSL.
Poorly written is an understatement.

Totally agree on the parent and coach, bad examples for the kids.

Someone else posted to have the parents on the sideline with the players? I prefer to be across from the teams so I can hear the other parents. You hear some funny stuff...
 
I'll ask it again - Why not put the parents on the same side as the team?
A-hole coaches and A-hole sidelines will still exist. But at least it will give a coach a chance to hear and address anything their sideline is doing.
That only solves half of the problem. Sometimes I'm equally annoyed by the parents from our own team. :)
 
Someone else posted to have the parents on the sideline with the players? I prefer to be across from the teams so I can hear the other parents. You hear some funny stuff...
Actual conversation that took place when DD was playing U9:
Parent A from our own team, "That was offside, ref."
Parent B from our own team, "Come on, ref."
Parent C (aka my DW), "That was definitely offside."
I turned to DW and asked, "Do you know what offside is, honey?"
DW said, "I don't know. What is it?"
 
Actual conversation that took place when DD was playing U9:
Parent A from our own team, "That was offside, ref."
Parent B from our own team, "Come on, ref."
Parent C (aka my DW), "That was definitely offside."
I turned to DW and asked, "Do you know what offside is, honey?"
DW said, "I don't know. What is it?"
That is hilarious!! Love it!

Over the weekend I was sitting behind the parents of the game before my sons. It was probably 05s. Some of the repeated comments:

"Just kick it!" ,"Kick it harder!" ,"Your not being aggressive enough!" ," Beat her!" and of course "run faster!" . All from the same two Dads sitting under an EZ Up in the shade in their nice sideline chairs. The look the girls were giving, not to the Dads, but to their teammates was priceless. I tried to record them but everytime I did the Dads weren't as animated.

That ride home must have been tough...
 
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