Not sure is this has been posted elsewhere, but I'll post it here.
http://www.wcotsl.com/pr.htm
WCOTSL & VANCOUVER METRO SOCCER LEAGUE (VMSL)
JOINT AMALGAMATION INITIATIVE
The WCOTSL League Executive Committee in conjunction with the Vancouver Metro Soccer League Executive Body (VMSL) is pleased to announce at this time news regarding a joint transitionary amalgamation initiative.
As a result of previous league body discussions the respective League Executive Committees have been meeting over the past year to explore the possibilities associated with forming a stronger alliance between each other.
After a series of productive meetings, it was determined that both Leagues had many areas in common and that efforts should be pursued with the view of a joint venture or merger occurring between them. The rationales for this were as follows:
Both Leagues share common geography
Both Leagues operate during the same time frame (months of the year)
A number of clubs have teams in both Leagues
There is a common pool of referees between the two Leagues
An alliance/merger between the two Leagues would help alleviate the problem we have with double-registered players
An alliance/merger would give our League access potential to draw on more players and new teams as they get older, thus keeping the league competitive
An alliance/merger would give older VMSL teams an option for future play
Our League already has an established infrastructure as an Over 35 league
We have the largest over 35 league in the province, and the best levels of competition
Setting up a common disciplinary procedure between the two leagues
Allowing a CAT-style transfer of players between teams of clubs playing in both leagues.
The plan for this would be as follows:
Seek consensus approval by the membership of the League at the next AGM (TBD in June/04)
If and once approval is received the WCOTSL will begin a one-year trial transitional joint venture/alliance process with the VMSL.
The two Leagues will continue to operate independent League Executive Boards
There will be a requirement to introduce changes to some League rules primarily in the area of disciplinary process and procedure.
Harmonization of the fines paid structure and suspension lengths to those of the VMSL will occur.
A corresponding change in the fines paid collection system will be made so that the onus is on the offending player to pay the fine rather than the individual’s team as a whole.
The WCOTSL will also take advantage of the VMSL's existing Disciplinary Committee structure and utilize access to the meetings during and along with regular VMSL Thursday disciplinary hearings.
This will also allow teams in our League with Club affiliations in the VMSL to implement a CAT (Club Affiliated Team) system so that eligible players (only those over the age of 35) can be moved as required between teams in the same club (VMSL and WCOTSL).
This does not mean that teams in our League must be tied to VMSL clubs. One of our strongest stipulations going into this is that our League will always allow single entity teams to enter and compete in the League.
Additionally, teams in our League who so choose may also affiliate with VMSL teams or clubs to form new or larger clubs.
The intention with this is to encourage more VMSL clubs and/or teams to enter the WCOTSL as they age, which is viewed as a natural progression to continued league and team play.
This will require a new class of player ID cards specific to the Over 35 CAT players (orange cards), which will be accepted in both Leagues.
Discipline applied to players in this position will be based on the League that the player is registered to play in.
Cooperatively speaking, the WCOTSL Executive Committee and the VMSL Executive Committee strongly believe and see additional benefits occurring as a result of becoming more unified entities.
For example, by applying a joint approach, greater benefit could arise in the acquisition of field allotments for both game and practice fields. Those fields in heavy rotation could be better utilized by joint judicious reallocation of the teams that play on them; other fields could be block-booked so they could be best shared by the same teams each week reducing unauthorized use and overuse by others not affiliated with both leagues.
There is also a joint initiative in place to combine scheduling for the two Leagues so that the administrative process involved is a lot less painful for all those affected by unforeseen changes to the scheduling and playing of games.
The WCOTSL Executive Committee firmly believes that the announcement of these initiatives is a positive step in the right direction for both Leagues and all players involved.
The WCOTSL Executive Committee is aware that this announcement will generate many questions from the Team membership body.
For further information please respond or contact in writing through a designated team spokesperson to any WCOTSL member of the joint WCOTSL/VMSL Executive Body Committee Team prior to and for discussion at the AGM (TBD June/04).
I personally think it is a good idea, especially the linking of the cat system.
http://www.wcotsl.com/pr.htm
WCOTSL & VANCOUVER METRO SOCCER LEAGUE (VMSL)
JOINT AMALGAMATION INITIATIVE
The WCOTSL League Executive Committee in conjunction with the Vancouver Metro Soccer League Executive Body (VMSL) is pleased to announce at this time news regarding a joint transitionary amalgamation initiative.
As a result of previous league body discussions the respective League Executive Committees have been meeting over the past year to explore the possibilities associated with forming a stronger alliance between each other.
After a series of productive meetings, it was determined that both Leagues had many areas in common and that efforts should be pursued with the view of a joint venture or merger occurring between them. The rationales for this were as follows:
Both Leagues share common geography
Both Leagues operate during the same time frame (months of the year)
A number of clubs have teams in both Leagues
There is a common pool of referees between the two Leagues
An alliance/merger between the two Leagues would help alleviate the problem we have with double-registered players
An alliance/merger would give our League access potential to draw on more players and new teams as they get older, thus keeping the league competitive
An alliance/merger would give older VMSL teams an option for future play
Our League already has an established infrastructure as an Over 35 league
We have the largest over 35 league in the province, and the best levels of competition
Setting up a common disciplinary procedure between the two leagues
Allowing a CAT-style transfer of players between teams of clubs playing in both leagues.
The plan for this would be as follows:
Seek consensus approval by the membership of the League at the next AGM (TBD in June/04)
If and once approval is received the WCOTSL will begin a one-year trial transitional joint venture/alliance process with the VMSL.
The two Leagues will continue to operate independent League Executive Boards
There will be a requirement to introduce changes to some League rules primarily in the area of disciplinary process and procedure.
Harmonization of the fines paid structure and suspension lengths to those of the VMSL will occur.
A corresponding change in the fines paid collection system will be made so that the onus is on the offending player to pay the fine rather than the individual’s team as a whole.
The WCOTSL will also take advantage of the VMSL's existing Disciplinary Committee structure and utilize access to the meetings during and along with regular VMSL Thursday disciplinary hearings.
This will also allow teams in our League with Club affiliations in the VMSL to implement a CAT (Club Affiliated Team) system so that eligible players (only those over the age of 35) can be moved as required between teams in the same club (VMSL and WCOTSL).
This does not mean that teams in our League must be tied to VMSL clubs. One of our strongest stipulations going into this is that our League will always allow single entity teams to enter and compete in the League.
Additionally, teams in our League who so choose may also affiliate with VMSL teams or clubs to form new or larger clubs.
The intention with this is to encourage more VMSL clubs and/or teams to enter the WCOTSL as they age, which is viewed as a natural progression to continued league and team play.
This will require a new class of player ID cards specific to the Over 35 CAT players (orange cards), which will be accepted in both Leagues.
Discipline applied to players in this position will be based on the League that the player is registered to play in.
Cooperatively speaking, the WCOTSL Executive Committee and the VMSL Executive Committee strongly believe and see additional benefits occurring as a result of becoming more unified entities.
For example, by applying a joint approach, greater benefit could arise in the acquisition of field allotments for both game and practice fields. Those fields in heavy rotation could be better utilized by joint judicious reallocation of the teams that play on them; other fields could be block-booked so they could be best shared by the same teams each week reducing unauthorized use and overuse by others not affiliated with both leagues.
There is also a joint initiative in place to combine scheduling for the two Leagues so that the administrative process involved is a lot less painful for all those affected by unforeseen changes to the scheduling and playing of games.
The WCOTSL Executive Committee firmly believes that the announcement of these initiatives is a positive step in the right direction for both Leagues and all players involved.
The WCOTSL Executive Committee is aware that this announcement will generate many questions from the Team membership body.
For further information please respond or contact in writing through a designated team spokesperson to any WCOTSL member of the joint WCOTSL/VMSL Executive Body Committee Team prior to and for discussion at the AGM (TBD June/04).
I personally think it is a good idea, especially the linking of the cat system.