Mid-Year DOC Report
2.3.2022
In the past I have supplied an end of the year annual report. However, there is so much happening it is appropriate to supply a mid-year report this season. The report covers items related to my role as DOC of Columbus United. Items related directly to other areas of CSO were previously discussed in the president’s report.
Columbus United is Columbus Soccer Organization’s (CSO) competitive soccer club. CSO is a community oriented public service non-profit organization. United’s focus is player and coaching development. Our goal is to field competitive teams while recognizing that all players can improve, deserve the opportunity to develop, and do so at different rates and at different points in their lives. United is rooted in and serves the local community in the Golden Triangle.
REGISTRATION NUMBERS
United has seen rapid growth over the last two years. I am VERY HAPPY to report that direct year over year umbers for non-recreational soccer registration (competitive and developmental) increased by 37 players. This represents an astonishing 23.4% increase in registration in one year.
This growth certainly presents challenges that we must manage. As I mentioned in the 2020-2021 annual report the most pressing challenge is recruiting and retaining high-quality coaches. And, as the club grows, we must remember that the player is at the center of everything we do.
COACHES
As mentioned above recruiting and retaining coaches is a major challenge of my job. That challenge has been met this year. United welcomed seven new coaches this year—head and assistant coaches. All coaches have completed the following:
· Safe Sport Certification
· Background Check and Disqualification Review
· Appropriate licensure (if not previously earned)
· Orientation and Policy session
· Local Coaching Development “Implementing A Culture of Training Efficiency”
SPONSORSHIP
In the fall we announced the major news that Bank First has become the exclusive sponsor of Columbus United. We are excited to be working with this important community partner. The sponsorship will support coaching and player development, increase in coaching pay, and will provide a firm foundation for the CSO Collegiate Scholarship. Once we move into our new kits Bank First will be featured on all United uniforms. Multiple other avenues have been identified to highlight the relationship between United and Bank First.
Thank you to Jason Spears for bringing this great opportunity to the board, Luke Yeatman at Bank First for working with us to meet club needs and priorities, Will Starks for drafting the MOU for the sponsorship, and Robert Whitaker for handling the financials on the club side.
TRYOUTS 2022-2023 and CSO Scholarship
We are looking forward to hosting two tryout sessions—the first at the end of May and a make-up session early in June. Those final dates are being determined at this time and will be published in the next week.
Applications for the CSO Collegiate Scholarship will open 2/14. The application will be posted on our main CSO website and the United page. All players who played soccer with CSO at U15 or above are eligible to apply for the $500 scholarship. Current scholarship holders are also able to apply for renewal.