Cincinnati Hills SAY is an Area member in good standing in the SAY Soccer Organization with over 1500 players playing soccer in both the Spring (March-May) and Fall (August-October) seasons.

Cincinnati Hills SAY members include the following communities:

• Mariemont
• Madeira
• Terrace Park
• Deer Park
• Eastgate
• Fairfax
• Indian Hill

For more information click on the About Us and Mission links...

Season Update

Welcome to the Fall 2010 Soccer Season!

The CHSS Fall 2010 soccer season will commence in September and end early November. Our eight participating soccer Districts include:

- Deer Park
- Eastgate
- Fairfax
- Indian Hill
- Madeira
- Mariemont
- Reading Soccer
- Terrace Park

As always, we continue to look for ways to improve the quality of our program. Over the past year, we have been focusing our efforts on three key areas of our program; coach training, referee certification and parent/spectator compliance with our SAY Area code of conduct.

- Coach Training: All coaches are required to be SAY certified. All member Districts are required to be 100% compliant. As such, all coaches have attended small group training clinics in which they have been instructed on the Laws of the game, skills training, player development and coach conduct.

- Referee Certification: All referees are required to attend a Cincinnati Hills SAY Area-wide training program. This involves both on and off-line training in addition to on-field experience and evaluation. Referees are required to attend a re-certification class each year to keep their referee license current.

- Parent/Spectator Compliance: One of the biggest issues we continue to face is a lack of respect and sportsmanship on the sidelines. Our main purpose is to provide a fun and rewarding experience for all participants. This requires an understanding of the Laws of the game in addition the positive encouragement of all players in addition to respect for both coaches and officials. Commencing this Fall, we have developed a Parent/Spectator agreement which one parent of each player participant is required to sign. This acts as a contract with the organization and is an important reminder of the real purpose of a recreational soccer organization.

In order to continually improve the soccer experience, we need and appreciate your input. As such, please let us know how we are doing. Feel free to contact your District representative or send me an e-mail directly at jh.ferguson@yahoo.com.

Thank you for participating in our soccer program and have a great Fall Season!

All the best,

James

James Ferguson
President - Cincinnati Hills SAY Soccer

Latest News...

Parents Now Required To Sign Parent/Spectator Agreement
Cincinnati Hills SAY Soccer is now requiring one parent of each player enrolled in the soccer program to sign a Parent/Spectator Guidelines and Agreement form. This is part of a league-wide effort to curb inappropriate sideline behavior while reinforcing the overall philosophy of the soccer organization.

According to Cincinnati Hills SAY Soccer President James Ferguson "We have seen a steady decline in behavior on the sidelines over the past few years where parents/spectators are blatantly harassing officials and even some players." He added, "many spectators do not understand the Laws of the game and view winning at all costs as their main focus vs. the overall enjoyment of the game. We are a recreational soccer league whose mission is to provide a great learning experience for every participant. Bad sideline behavior ruins it for everyone and will not be tolerated."

Ferguson also indicated that this new policy is part of an overall effort to promote good sportsmanship across the entire organization. He added, "Coaches and referees are required to be certified prior to participating in the program and bound by certain expectations and our code of conduct. There is no reason why parents and spectators should not be bound by similar expectations." he said.

Coaches are being asked to review the form with their parents at the beginning of the season and have one parent from each parent sign the form. The content of the agreement is listed below:

Parent/Spectator Responsibilities and Agreement
Fall Season 2008

Responsibilities of the Parent/Spectator:

• Understand the role of recreational soccer. It is all about skills development (mental and physical), healthy competition and a lot of fun. If a player has a great time, learns a lot and wants to come back, we have all been successful.

• Make the effort to get to know the rules of the game – especially the Laws associated with off-sides, handling and fouls/misconduct. Understanding the Laws of the game avoids confusion and conflict.

• Set an example by demonstrating the highest standards of sportsmanship at all times. Refrain from foul language and verbal abuse of players, coaches, referees, opponents or spectators.

• Actively participate in the games. Watch, cheer and support the efforts of all players.

• Maintain a professional and respectful relationship with your child’s coaches. Never confront a head coach or assistant coach during or immediately after a game. Wait for a 24 hour “cooling off” period and then contact the coach to discuss your concerns. Avoid “reply all” email chains when you have concerns. Deal with the coach directly.

• Avoid criticizing coaches and officials. Remember that everyone is doing their best to provide your child with a positive soccer experience.

• Do not coach or instruct players during practices or games. This is the coach’s responsibility.

• Be on time for both practices and games. Unless otherwise instructed, players should be at practice at least 5 minutes prior to the start time and 20 minutes prior to game time.

• Come to practices prepared with the correct soccer equipment - shin guards, soccer cleats and a water bottle.

• Casts of any type are not permitted on the field. Your child will not be permitted to participate in practices or games while in a cast – no exceptions.

• Bandage-covered pierced ears are not permitted on the field. Your child will not be permitted to play – no exceptions.

• Get involved with your local soccer organization. Contact us and let us know how you would like to help.

• Have fun!