USPSA E-newsletter for June 2011

President's Letter

Dear friends and members of the USPSA,

There has been a lot of activity in preparation for the upcoming annual meeting. I would like to thank the Legislative and Bylaws, Nominations and Elections, Equipment Specifications, and Rules Committees for their contributions to this year's annual meeting.

FIPFA has made a number of significant changes to the Laws of the Game. We have gone through all the changes and are making some recommendations to approve. A law that we are not recommending is the Classification law. We will be having a discussion about classification and how we should proceed as a national organization.

We have also added some specifications for a "rear-guard". There are a number of athletes that have added a rear guard to their chairs, therefore regulations for length, height, etc will be implemented for those athletes who choose to use them.

We also have lost a member of the Executive Committee. Lois Vega is no longer our Treasurer. Lois has purchased an accounting business and time no longer allows for her to participate at the level needed. We wish Lois good luck in her new venture.

The USPSA referee program is nearing its final touches on two certification exams. These exams will allow referees to test their knowledge and ensure that all referees listed on the website are capable of fulfilling the expectations of Assistant and Center Referee. These exams will be a requirement for referee registration next season and will be available online.

Additional exams for coaches and players are also in the development stages. These exams will not be a requirement for registration, but rather a tool to increase the knowledge of both players and coaches about the Laws of the Game. These quizzes will also be available online very soon. There will be a series of quizzes and exams based on your experience level so you can test yourself! Watch for an announcement.

Lastly, elections are upon us. I encourage you to read up on the candidates and make your selections. A list of candidates and their platform can be found by clicking here. We have added a new option to the ballot that allows you to vote "no" for unopposed candidates. The premise of this option is that you should have a right to vote "no" if you feel this candidate is not a worthy candidate in your mind. No one should be able to gain a position on the Executive Board through default. This voting option now gives you a choice. More information about the elections is covered below.

Thank you everyone and I look forward to a great annual meeting. 

Sincerely,
Dominic Russo

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Abilities Expo New Jersey A Huge Success

The Abilities Expo in New York Metro area proved to be a big success. It was apparent from the start that this area was itching to play Power Soccer! Although many of them had heard of the sport before, it was still a surprise to many that power wheelchair users could actually play a competitive team game!

Over 80 potential athletes signed up to play Power Soccer with a good response for helping to start a team in the area. Attendees came as far away as Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware with contacts made from Florida and the Dallas, Texas area!

Athletes Natalie and JC Russo also attended the expo and put on a demonstration along with Jerry Frick to showcase the sport. They were able to put guards on a few athletes and played a little scrimmage. We saw some real potential in those athletes! In fact, the parents of the participants likely haven't stopped hearing about how much fun the athletes had!

Jerry Frick, Eastern Regional Director currently has an expo scheduled in the Long Island area for late June and is planning to host a clinic or two while he is up that way. Look out New Jersey, New York area, Power Soccer is about to explode!

For more information on future expos, please go to www.abilitiesexpo.com.

 

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Annual General Meeting and Elections

As previously announced, the USPSA Annual General Meeting will be held Friday, June 17th at 7:00pm Eastern Time at the Premier Cup's host hotel, DoubleTree Hilton Atlanta/Northlake. We invite all teams attending the Premier Cup and any in the area, or visiting the tournament, to join the meeting in person.

We will also have a conference call number and web conference for those who wish to participate remotely, which we strongly encourage. Being spread out around the country can be tough, but luckily technology can bring us all together at the Annual Meeting! Details about the phone number and web login will be emailed to Team Representatives as we get closer to the meeting.

The agenda for the meeting and the ballot was sent out to Team Representatives this week. The voting for this year includes proposed changes to the Bylaws, Constitution, and Laws of the Game, and those documents were also emailed to teams. Please review the proposed changes - including a "Cliff's Notes" version of the ballot - and discuss them with your team.

We encourage ALL MEMBER TEAMS to VOTE in the elections! The ballot includes options for absentee and proxy voting. Teams not attending the meeting in person should strongly consider having their voice heard through absentee ballot!

Please feel free to have your Team Representative email us with any questions they may have at: info [at] powersoccerusa [dot] net.

Thanks!

Jenny Mitchell
Secretary

 

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TEAM USA PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Steamrolling to Paris!

May's Player of the Month is extra special with two players instead of one, Omar Solorio and Jerry Book. Combined, these two players have 30 years of experience competing in Power Soccer and were part of the 2007 World Cup Championship team. Though they have played a combined 30 years, they have only been playing together for 4. Not only were they teammates on the 2007 and now the 2011 team, but they're also teammates for the San Jose Steamrollers. These two are a vital part of the National Team and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience.

As a member of the National Team, Omar Solorio hopes "to win the [national tournament] Premier Cup and of course the World Cup!" Omar wants to pursue a career with animation/visual effects or be a scriptwriter and author. He has come a long way in his life because of what Power Soccer has done for him. "Before Power Soccer came along I wasn't very active or social. Through Power Soccer I have been able to meet many new friends and visit many places. Also, soccer has always been my favorite sport. It is incredible that I get to play a sport based on it." As the World Cup gets closer Omar is working extra hard to be part of another winning team.

As a teammate, Jerry Book has a high commitment to Power Soccer. Like the rest of us, even though he has limitations, he works and trains hard to overcome them. Jerry has been part of making this game what it is today by being a member of the delegation that went to Portugal in 2005. This also helped lead to the formation of international competition and was a big personal accomplishment. Jerry works hard every step of the way and has given himself many opportunities he never would have had if it weren't for Power Soccer.

Being teammates both in San Jose and on the US National Power Soccer Team has changed their lives for the better.

 

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TEAM USA NEWS

 

The 2011 FIPFA World Cup is just around the corner! If you weren't excited enough already, FIPFA recently released the official video presentation for this year's tournament! You can check it out here: http://dai.ly/lLvfza

Go TEAM USA!!!

For more information about Team USA or to contact us, please visit our website at www.powersoccerteamusa.org.

 

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Power Soccer Games Recap

Success in Sudbury
by Zak Schmoll, Vermont Chargers

Four power soccer teams from New England met in Sudbury, Massachusetts for what turned out to be an incredibly intense day of power soccer. The 3 1/2 hour drive from my house was totally worth it! The tournament featured two semi-finals and then both of the losing teams played before wrapping up the day with the two winning teams. (click here to read more)

 

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COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS FOR THE 2010- 2011 SEASON

Barbara Peacock	Athletes Advisory Committee
Mark Pratt	Legislative and Bylaws Committee
Joe Carrow	Equipment Specification Committee
Jonathan Newman	Tournament Selection Committee
Ericka Sutton	Elections Committee
Case Calvert	Marketing Committee
Don Faria	Rules Committee
Jenny Mitchell	IT Committee

 

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USPSA on YouTube

In a concerted effort to bring relevant video to people searching out information on the internet about power soccer and the USPSA, we are introducing a You-Tube page specific to the USPSA.

If you have power soccer videos (games, clinics, etc.) that you have taken at a recent USPSA event, or you are interested in video taping upcoming events and helping with this project, please contact Tony Jackson at: azpowersoccer [at] gmail [dot] com