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Commentary contributed by Michael and Lisa Lish, parents of former WFC Ranger player. 

The decision of the WCYSA Executive Board and the Whatcom County rec club presidents has been very cruel to the children who want to play soccer in Whatcom County, specifically the ones who were inadvertently left out of soccer due to their decisions. It is not just the Ranger kids who are affected in this, but a chain reaction through youth soccer at every age level in Whatcom County. Will decisions continue in this manner for the 1000’s of children who play soccer in Whatcom County each season? This same board approved a fourth team this year for the 2013 age group; will they dash their dreams next year too? The Board provides no explanation, other than blaming by-laws. The WCYSA mission statement claims that the Association “ is to serve local youth soccer players ranging from recreational to elite level players” and  “that creates positive experiences with the game of soccer, leaving people with a life long appreciation of the sport.”

We can’t believe that with the sheer numbers of interested kids at this level, and the incontrovertible level of skill, that a fourth 2012 Ranger team was not immediately approved to continue, and that a second Select team was not formed to give more kids the opportunity to play this amazing sport at an appropriate level!

Our son is a ranger on the fourth team. He wanted to continue that journey and we wanted to support that. Being a Ranger is about playing soccer, making friends, training 3 times a week, many team building activities, community service, and lots of travel all year long. Then the WCYSA executive board, and the rec club presidents decided not to continue a fourth team even though the team already existed, and was successful in their RCL division. Whatcom Select was the only other competitive soccer option available in Whatcom County. We have already had to defend our choice to let our son try-out for Select, and then again for accepting an offer to be on Select. Select trains only twice a week and has a less demanding schedule that may work better for some families. Our son just wants more time with a ball and to be part of a team. The simple fact is that our son took the spot of another kiddo that Select may have worked better for, and presumably that child has no team now. How are we supposed to celebrate our sons success at the cost of another child’s anguish?

Our son will get to continue to play, but our faith in the mission statement of the WCYSA and their ability to uphold it has been shaken to the core. The children of Whatcom County deserve better leadership.

 

Thank you,

Michael and Lisa Lish