Dear Barbarians:
In an ideal world everything goes according to plan. It is always best to know what the plan is and whose plan is being executed. You see there is always a plan in place, for those who fail to plan should plan to fail. Our plan is and has always been modest; consistency and continuity without complacency. This is the essence of what we know are the necessary components of those whose commitment is development oriented. Be not mistaken, we do what we do with caring and passion for the development of the type of club, players, and teams, we know will keep us from the certain death that lays in mediocrity.
It can prove difficult to meet every challenge at its wake or to best it. To know that you have done what you could do to meet the challenge, with determination and focus, to press forward amidst the detractors or elements that test even the resolute, and to somehow rise above it all. Is that also a part of the plan? Obviously you can lessen the plan by divulging it either to the wrong one or at an inappropriate time and in a sense, timing is everything or at least crucial to who, what, where, or how information is shared. So, we can spend our time planning, doing, or just being in, or of the plan. Who will be where, when, and how should we think, or dare I say feel about the plan, especially if it causes some to wonder?
Each of us is being met with a challenge in some way by any plan proffered but not one of us should ever lose confidence in what we do or how we do it. Anyone’s confidence can be shaken if we lose sight of the fact that each of us is in this challenge together. Only the ones who rise above can see it through to its end. Too many spend their time causing others to doubt true sincerity by those who care and are passionate about what they do and how they do it. A sense of jealousy perhaps but we cannot spend our time bickering with, or even wondering about them over the path, plan that they have chosen.
Much of what we hear from many is more cliché than adage. Over the time that we have been participating in the Barbarians, we have learned and shared what we have learned willingly, to hopefully empower people; not to shape any to see it “our” way. One thing that we have learned is that you cannot save by sacrificing development. Another thing that we have learned is that just by standing for something many assume you are against something else. Firstly, we spend of what we have selflessly on the development of others, in order to develop ourselves. Secondly, we are not against anyone for any reason; for we recognize and respect other’s points of view. Even as they walk away we accept and understand the basics of another’s right to choose.
We have placed several teams into competition both here and in Akron. While it is always our effort to develop teams to participate in the various tournaments with National implications, it is very difficult to know who will represent the Barbarian FC or how many teams and the make-up of those teams at this point in time, from within the club. It is a matter of selection as well as attaining the development we are after for each of you who are members. We intend to participate in the Regional Tournament in Akron in January again, under USYF, but we would also like to have teams qualified to attend the Regional Tournament in Wildwood under USFF, in February. That involves participating in the State Cup and even if we have teams participate in the State Cup they may not be formed to travel to any major tournaments.
We organized the teams we have entered into the various leagues based on what we knew and not hearsay. More teams may have been entered and the make-up of the teams who have been entered may have been slightly different had we had better indications of availability etc. We will do what we can do to organize more of you into teams and do so with the Handbook in focus and ask that you are certain you take time to read more closely what you have signed, It is not a mere formality to sign the Handbook for it is a guideline by which each of us knows where we stand and allows us to know where we might go.
Even though it is early in the year we are looking to do a tournament in New Jersey in January that involves various futsal academies that we have been asked to be a part of for the sake of those who are more heavily invested in futsal and want to play with a higher structure than typical league play. This is a viable option for the Barbarian FC and we are looking closely at the U13G, U16B, and U16G to participate. It is tentative but we are not. It will take place January 26 between a pool of clubs from Eastern PA, New Jersey (3), Massachusetts, NY, and us. Again, there is nothing firm but something to definitely keep open as we move forward. We are not excluding anyone of you but feel at this time, a high probability for these age groups to participate.
Something else that I have learned pertains to why there is a Handbook as well as why we conduct our affairs the way we do. The Barbarian FC is the only organized club that does not hold try outs, cut players, or do “select” sides by holding try outs for its teams that participate in most of the tournaments that we attend. We are the only people you know of who are dedicated to developing players and promoting from within to participate in competitive futsal tournaments. Several take for granted or feel “entitled” to play or associate themselves with a team based on their age etc. We appreciate everyone and especially those who participate with us but we must do what we do and in the manner that we do it, to be who we are, and remain competitive. You are entitled to be treated with caring, and courteously.
More information will be shared with everyone simultaneously as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience.
I wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving. It too is a part of the plan.
As usual, I will see you on the pitch!
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