McLean Youth Soccer Association

The spring soccer season has started, and hopefully you have had the opportunity to notice that many of the soccer fields inMcLean are greener this season. MYS has invested tens of thousands of dollars over the past six months to improve the playing conditions for our members while also working tirelessly to get two new artificial turf fields built (hopefully in time for the fall 2008 season). Additionally, the county and park authority personnel have stepped up their field monitoring efforts to minimize the impact from "walk-ons".

Despite being only a few weeks into the season, Game Day, the MYS field maintenance contractor, has noticed significant wear in the goal mouths and down the center of most of the fields. Things are already looking pretty grim at the MYS Field, Chesterbrook, and the Spring Hill Rec. Center fields. It is too early in the season for this to be happening!! While some wear and tear is expected, it appears as though the MYS Field Guidelines and Policy for practices and training sessions are not being followed.

During all practices, every team is expected to avoid practicing within the 18 yard box/goal mouth and on any parts of the field that appear heavily worn or muddy. Please take this opportunity to remind your coaches, managers and teams to be thoughtful and considerate of our fields during practice. These are the only fields we have and it will take diligence and care on everyone's part to ensure our fields stay in good condition.

If your team or coach needs additional practice curriculum ideas or support, the MYS Technical Directors and Director of Coaching can provide ideas and suggestions that minimize wear and tear to the fields (e.g. rotating practice areas with each drill, working on shooting only on "temporary" goals, etc.).

If continued excessive wear is noted, fields may need to be closed for repair, and teams may have practice field permits revoked or suspended for Field Policy violations. Nets on the goals may also be removed during the week.

Please help to protect our fields and keep them GREEN. Remember to not practice in the goal mouths or down the center of the field or in worn areas. If you notice other teams practicing in the goal mouths, please remind them politely, or contact MYS fields at fields@mcleansoccer.org with the field, day, and time.

Please take a few minutes to review the field use policy.

Thank you in advance for your continued assistance.

MYS Fields Committee