Dear Barbarians:
As we prepare for the upcoming season we need to be certain of your participation with us in 2011-2012. While many are of good intention we feel it necessary to make all aware of where things stand so that we can all make as informed a decision as possible.
Each of you must understand that our emphasis has been and remains the development of the player but we are more now than ever concerned with the development of our teams within the Barbarian FC for the sole purpose of competing regionally and nationally. Our focus on league play locally is for the development of individual players so that we have a better understanding of how they will perform in regional and national tournaments, ones that we are entered and committed to compete and win. It is imperative that you know that our efforts will not be undermined by anyone.
While we have progressed as a club we cannot afford to settle on past successes or triumphs. You are only as good as your next endeavor. We have done our level best to be as inclusive as possible and provide everyone who is a member of this club with a true appraisal of how we develop players, teams, and this club in a competitive environment. We will not allow ourselves to become complacent and we have cautioned you over the years unequivocally stating we do not do what we do for the sake of friendships. The stated goals and objectives remain the same as they did when we began: we strive to raise the level of football played in Western PA and remain vigilant in the improvement of our teams and players weekly and year-to-year.
It is important for you to be aware that we intend to enter several teams into competition in Akron, Ohio under the Super F League as well as Penn West Futsal leagues in Monroeville. The U10B, U14B, U16G, and a combination of select players in a HSB (U19) age group will compete in both leagues. This is a priority for the Barbarian FC for 2011-2012 and will be treated as such by all involved. Several of you may choose to not participate but you will not hold hostage those who do. Every team we assemble will compete in the Penn West Futsal Association State Cup acknowledging our intention is to move onto the USFF Northeast Mid-Atlantic Regional and subsequent USFF National Tournament if a determination is made by Barbarian Management that a Barbarian team should compete. This is not optional we will move forward with or without you.
We have written extensively from our beginning about the significance of attitude and effort, common courtesy and common sense, and the importance of teamwork. We were the first to ever introduce a Code of Conduct, and most recently a Handbook in Western PA further emphasizing everyone the opportunity to know our approach and methodology. Yet very few understand what we are about so we do greatly appreciate those who get it and while we watch as many who feel they know the way in which things should work attempt to destroy that which we have built they come and go and yet we remain steadfast and truthful to the development of our players, teams, and most importantly the Barbarian FC.
These age groups should have adequate numbers to form teams that will be entered into league play and will be our priority: U10B, U11/12B, 11/12G, 13/14B, 15B, 15G, 16B, 16G, HSB. Players who are not assigned to a team will be held as Reserve Players until which time we are able to designate them to a team. Every player who wants to participate with the Barbarians must register with USFF and those who are designated to play in both leagues will be required to register with both the Super F League and USFF, no exceptions. Once registration is open those who are not registered by a date to be determined their participation with us will not be taken seriously.
Unless our number of participants drops significantly we do not anticipate any great increases on financial considerations from last year but we know to some any increase can be significant. Most of you know that we work with you and not against but do what we must to maintain our solvency. We will be able to generate a much clearer financial picture after we hear back from you to help determine numbers but feel strongly that we should be able to go by last year’s Anticipated Fee and Payment Schedule. At this time I ask that those of you who value what you know about us and intend to make the indoor scene with us to please contact Coach Alfonso so that we can keep better track of age groups, names, and numbers. eaf@barbarianfutsal.com
More information is forthcoming but if you are aware that someone is interested in participating with us then have them contact me for information as soon as possible. All inquiries will be addressed via email by me, dws@barbarianfutsal.com.
As usual, I will see you on the pitch!
dws