June 6, 2006
RE: Dakota Gold Soccer Club Position of Proposed SFSA Travel Team Soccer Proposal
Dear Parents:
You may have heard through the grapevine that Sioux Falls Soccer Association (SFSA) has
decided to enter the travel team soccer market. Dakota Gold would like to take this opportunity to
share some information with you about this proposed action by SFSA, and how Dakota Gold
views this action.
What is it?
Several weeks ago, Dakota Gold and other local clubs (Great Plains Soccer and United Soccer)
were approached by SFSA and invited to enter into discussions to become one club program
under SFSA’s authority. Dakota Gold Board members attended the two meetings held by SFSA
to determine whether this proposal is in the best interest of our youth members and the Sioux
Falls soccer community in general. At these meetings, SFSA has presented tentative plans for its
travel team program. Open discussions occurred between the parties in attendance. Among these
discussions was the likelihood of benefits to players, the availability of professionally licensed
coaches to adequately train players, costs, and adherence to nationally recognized player
development methods. The discussions and proposed plans that SFSA presented at the meetings
do not provide sufficient justification to support this travel program or potential partnership.
Dakota Gold has no current plans to join the proposed plan of SFSA. It is clear that the player’s
best interests are overwhelmingly better served by the existing Dakota Gold structure and
programs.
What does it mean to me?
You are a member of the top soccer club in the area with outstanding opportunities for players.
Dakota Gold is doing better than ever and the investment that Dakota Gold has put forth in the
past 20 years to become a regionally recognized and respected Club program has been immense.
Dakota Gold has a track record of commitment to the Sioux Falls soccer community whose club
structure, philosophy and training methods are recognized by soccer professionals as in the best
interest of the players. Dakota Gold remains committed to bringing the highest level of soccer to
the members of the Dakota Gold family.
These commitments include:
Dakota Gold’s philosophy of hierarchical development: Player Club Team; Players
first, the club second, the team next .
Training by professional, and nationally licensed coaches at all age levels
US Soccer Federation "A" "B" "C" "D" and National Youth "Y" licensed coaches on staff.
Coaching education and Club management administered by full time soccer professionals
utilizing state of the art, nationally recognized curriculum and methods
Focus on long term player development and retention
Developmental "Grassroots" programs and leagues for younger players, utilizing US Youth
Soccer instructional models for fun, age appropriate and quality player development.
Tiered team structure (Challenge and Classic levels) at older age groups to allow involvement
at varying levels of commitment;
Dedicated outdoor training facility
Nation-wide soccer networking for maximum exposure of players to higher levels of
opportunity.
Dakota Gold’s quality programs for your son or daughter cannot be overemphasized. Dakota
Gold’s day-to-day operations are run by a
full-time soccer professional, whose ultimate
unwavering responsibility is to ensure that your player has the opportunity to experience the best
training and opportunities that soccer can offer. On a daily basis, Dakota Gold compares our
program with other nationally successful programs to ensure we are constantly on the forefront of
soccer education and player development.
Making Choices
:
With all the opportunities and positive growth happening at Dakota Gold, we are all reeling with
excitement. We feel that we offer so much that when it comes to soccer, Dakota Gold members
should choose to play just for Dakota Gold so the players can benefit from all we have to offer.
Along with the development oriented practices, there can be so many more friendly games with
other regional clubs, inter-squad matches and street soccer. We can offer these quality games only
when our players are not over scheduled in other soccer programs and can commit to having fun
in one terrific soccer program. In the past, we have asked that Challenge players refrain from
playing Adv Recreational League. We understand that this is a family decision and we are asking
those families to make the simple choice and choose Dakota Gold so our members benefit with
more quality games and aren’t split between recreational soccer and Dakota Gold. If your soccer
player is a Classic player, please discuss this choice with your coach. How much practice and
game commitment is he/she looking for? Can my soccer player handle doing both?
If all the players of Dakota Gold simply save the money for the few recreational games and put
their effort into great Dakota Gold soccer matches, friendlies, inter-squad matches, street soccer
and other games, we will have a great environment for fun. Why double up your soccer, double
your fees and keep two schedules for soccer? Why run the risk of burn out to your player when
you can get everything you need right in one great soccer program? This is not competing for
players with other programs. This is advocacy for players who want or need assistance and
leadership to help them reach their goals and have fun. We want our players to get the very best
of what we offer.
We would be pleased to discuss any concerns or questions you might have regarding your player
and Dakota Gold Soccer Club.
Sincerely,
Dakota Gold Soccer Club
Executive Committee:
Lisa Blankers, President
John Pagone, VP of Public Relations
Mary Madson, Secretary
Darin Mueller, Treasurer
Brad Peschong, VP of Competition
Ken Keiser, VP of Fundraising
Kevin Ibach, VP of Tournaments
