HomeMy Public PortalAboutP&RAC Minutes 1994 03/03RECREATION TASK FORCE
MINUTES
MARCH 3, 1994
L ROLL CALL AND CALL TO ORDER
Chair Ware called the meeting to order at 7:10pm. Committee members Bixby, Thackery,
Knowles, Elliot, Sprauge, and Bowker answered the roll call. Chair declared a quorum present. Also
attending was Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Chair Grote, and Director Baker.
Grote thanked everyone for attending and stated that the youth of McCall are very important to
the park board. Grote handed out a outline of suggested taskforce topics(attached), the original taskforce
proposal/mission statement(attached), and a list of 1994 Recreation Program user fees(attachment). Grote
informed the task force that she would like them to examine current problems, recommend actions to
solve problems and recommendations on how to pay for any thing that needs funding.
Ware introduced himself and stated that he has been in McCall since 1985 and has been involved
with youth baseball and adult softball. Next Ware asked each taskforce member to state their name and
any interests or involvement they have had with the recreation program. Ron Bowker informed taskforce
that he has been involved with and has coached baseball, basketball, and soccer. Lolla Elliot stated she
has coached soccer in the past, but is more interested in upper teen and adult recreation programs at this
time. Bob Thackery informed committee that he is the high school varsity basketball coach and is
interested in the sports progression from elementary to high school. Teresa Bixby said she has coached
youth softball, and soccer in the past. Cheryle Knowles informed committee that she is the high school
P.E. instructor and is concerned mainly with older teen recreation. Doug Sprague informed committee he
has been involved with the youth basketball program and would just like to see the Recreation Program be
all it can be.
Ware explained that he had tried to get a blend or mix of people on the task force so all areas of
the Recreation Program could be covered sufficiently.
ILNEW BUSINESS
1. Youth Basketball
Taskforce started out discussing the youth basketball program. Thackery informed committee
that Wendel has a very successful Saturday morning elementary program which utilizes high-school
students to do the coaching which gives the youth someone to look up to. Director informed taskforce that
the gym is used on most Saturdays, in fact when he was doing a lease agreement for the just started fifth
and sixth grade basketball program only two Saturdays were available during February, and March.
Director informed committee Sundays were available. Members agreed Sunday is a bad day and the
Recreation Program should not schedule activities on that day.
Ware asked members if they felt sign-ups were being distributed soon enough prior to up coming
programs. Director informed committee that in past years information/sign-up forms were distributed in
the school two weeks prior to the start of a program Students would return the slips to the elementary
office or to city hall. Next youngsters would attend two or three days of clinics, then be placed on team.
Director informed committee that he felt this system was no longer working due to overcrowded clinics.
Starting with the 1993 Fall Soccer season, Director started using a new format where announcements go
out on a Wednesday, Sign-up day is held the following Monday from 3-6pm, a coaches meeting is held on
Tuesday evening and basketball practice starts on the following Monday. At the first practice coaches are
given balls and season schedules. Director however, informed committee that he felt this method was also
not working because only about 50 out of 80 youths were being enrolled on sign-up day causing
approximately 30 late registrations. Late registrations have resulted in overcrowded teams, and general
confusion as to who is on what team during the first week of practice. Members discussed other possible
methods of sign-ups and times and all agreed the following format should be tried.
1. Sign-ups are distributed.
2. A mandatory coaches meeting/clinic is held one week later.
3. Sign up day is conducted during a week day evening(5:30pm to 8:30pm).
4. Coaches receive their teams and schedules the following week.
NOTE: First team rosters developed should be small, therefore late sign-ups could be moved onto teams
without overcrowding them.
Next members discussed thc policy of every player playing one half of each basketball game.
Members felt the scorekeeper should try and keep track of how long each player is in thc game and
remind coaches when youngsters are not getting enough play time during quarter or half time breaks.
2. Coaches Meetings/Clinics.
Members discussed the fact that many volunteer coaches are not qualified to be coaching and that
there is a need for coaches clinics. Members felt that once a year, a general coaches clinic should be held
to certify volunteers. In addition, a sport specific clinic should be held just prior to each season covering
drills, rules, and coaches accountability. Members felt that coaches should be required to sign a statement
saying what the Recreation Program expects from its coaches, for example, they will not drink alcohol
prior to games or practices, they will not swear, and a sportsman like attitude will be portrayed at all
times. Ware asked director to draft a statement to be considered at the next meeting. Bob Thackery
stated that he is certified to run coaches clinics, and would be willing to conduct one prior to the start of
the summer sports season. Members felt all coaches, scorekeepers, concessions stand people, and people
from communities we compete with should attend.
At this point the topic of who should monitor umpires, coaches, and parents came up. Members
felt the director should not have to attend all games and practices, but someone need to monitor the
activities. Sprague felt there should be a funded or volunteer city representative that monitors games.
3. Spring Soccer.
Doug Sprauge felt safety was a big concern with indoor soccer, and felt all participants should be
required to wear shine guards. Members discussed who should supply shin guards and all agreed
youngsters should supply their own, but the Recreation Program should have some on hand for when they
are forgotten or families cannot afford to purchase them. Chair directed staff to place, fees and
requirements for people who cannot afford to participate on another meeting agenda. After discussion
members all felt that no real problems exist with the Indoor Soccer season, so it does not need to be fixed.
4. Youth BasebalUSoftball
Committee discussed the new formatting proposed by director(attached) and felt it would be a lot
better than waiting for McCall ball fields to dry out and be playable, but would rather wait till the week
after spring break to distribute sign-ups and hold coaches clinics. After discussion members felt sign-
ups should be distributed April 4, 1994 with a coaches meeting/clinic being held on April 11 & 12,
1994 and sign-up day should be held April 18, 1994. Director agreed to follow these dates. Director
also stated he would contact Mr. Don Atkinson, McCall's Amateur Softball
Association District Commissioner to see if he could help conduct the meeting or set another date to
hold a umpires/coaches/scorekeepers clinic separate from the coaches meeting/clinic.
111. NEXT MEETING
Next regular Recreation Taskforce meeting set for Thursday, March 10, 1994 - 7:00pm in the
McCall City Hall upstairs conference room.
Sincerely,
Jim Ware
Chair.