News: E-Newsletters

President's Letter

Dear Members and Friends of the USPSA,

The new season has started and Team USA has begun the final preparations to go to France and defend their title. In addition, there are a number of new things this year that I would like to share with all of you.

There is an official FIPFA World Cup website that will keep you up to date with things going on in Paris. There is also a plan to show the games via this website, so check back often for the information so you can cheer on the team!

During the World Cup, a World Congress will be held. During this meeting, elections and matters dealing with the business of soccer throughout the world will be discussed. One item on the agenda will be a new Constitution. The new Constitution simplifies a 20-page document into 5 pages. Simple is sometimes better for a young organization, however, in this case, it also eliminates the voting rights of the Zones and reduces the decision makers down from seven people to four. The US currently opposes the proposal as the US feels it is important...

President's Letter

Dear friends and members of the USPSA,

July is here and all the Conference Cup Championships are now in the books. It was a great season and the Conference system overall has worked very well. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the hosts of the Conference Cups - Ericka Sutton with Royalty Power Soccer, Brian Farmer with North Georgia Screaming Eagles, Jr. Mamea with the Courage Center, and Andrew Achenbach with Turnstone - for their hard work and making the first year of the Cups successful. It is only through hosts and organizations like these that Power Soccer can achieve National recognition. Thank you.

In addition, I would also like to thank the Referee Coordinators for their work at the Cups. This is the first year we have had this position. The coordinators were Doug Wolfe, Chris Mulholland, Andy Green, and Mike McCoy. Their responsibility was to coordinate the referees and to complete written assessments for the referees working the games. This new process will reap benefits in the future. Thank you to these four leaders to help us advance our referee program.

There are a lot of questions about how the teams will be moved,...

USPSA Members Survey Results

Last month, we sent out a survey to all USPSA members - athletes, coaches, and referees - to get your opinions on a variety of issues the USPSA is addressing. We received about 150 responses to the 10-minute questionnaire.

About 60% of respondents are comfortable with foreign players on our teams, 15% are neutral, and 25% feel negatively about it. Only 18% think that no international players should be allowed on teams, 47% feel there should be a limit, and 35% don't think there should be a limit. A large majority of respondents would support an international exchange program, but only a few would be willing to host a player or travel themselves.

Member's opinions on the new conference system were equally split. About 50% like the system, 27% are neutral, and 23% dislike the system. The results were similar regarding a classification system. About 65% do not think we should limit participants with a classification system, 11% are neutral, and 24% feel we should limit participation.

Finally, regarding Team Representatives, fewer than 10% of respondents feel their Team Rep does not represent them well or communicate well, and 33% say their team does not decide how to vote as a group. While it is certainly up to each team to decide how to vote, we encourage team members to take this time leading up to...

President's Letter

Dear Members,

I have just returned from the US Soccer Annual General Meeting (AGM) and once again US Power Soccer was announced in the roll call for involvement with the business of mainstream soccer in America. While there was no direct action taken that will effect our great sport, there are a number of people who ask the question, "what is power soccer?" That is typically followed by, "I didn't know anything like that existed!" I get an opportunity to discuss and share what our sport is about to program directors and leaders in the soccer community. I also get a chance to share information about the World Cup. Being part of mainstream soccer is an important connection we need to continue to maintain. I had an opportunity to thank Dan Flynn, the Secretary General and CEO of US Soccer for their generous donation of team kits for our National Team. It is a valuable relationship we will continue to develop. We remain the only National Disabled Soccer Organization member. It was a great two days.

Nominations and applications for office are due soon. If you are interested and capable of fulfilling a role on the board I would...