The Cal North Board of Directors Speak Out on Youth Soccer
Cal North is one of the largest US Youth Soccer state organizations in the United States. The leadership at Cal North are dedicated to assisting parents in developing the potential of all kids — as individuals, and not just soccer players.
Home to U.S. WNT Superstar Megan Rapinoe, Cal North’s goal is for all soccer players at every level of the game to develop their passion and skills in a fun, safe and healthy environment. Cal North is committed to growing the game of soccer in Northern California and furthering the passion for the beautiful game whenever possible.
Who are the people behind the Cal North board? SoccerToday spoke with some of the Board of Directors that run the Cal North organization and help hundreds of thousands of soccer lovers every day – as in the words of Mark Dickerson, 1st Vice Chairman, “Cal North is a great organization.”
In the words of the board – here are some of the reasons why:
Diane Scavuzzo: What inspires you to be a part of the Cal North Board of Directors?
Ray Suey, CFO: My goal has always been to provide a framework for kids to be able to play soccer at any age group, gender or level of competition. Cal North provides that unbiased framework for kids to play the sport safely and have fun doing it.
Craig Winans, 2nd Vice Chair: I played in CYSA in it’s 2nd year – 1970. My High School coach instilled in all his players that we needed to give back. Serving on the Cal North Board of Directors is my way of giving back to the sport that has been so good to me.
Lawrence Rustia, District 1 Commissioner: I have been involved with youth soccer as a parent, coach and administrator for over two decades. The ability to affect change and support in youth soccer development at the state level has been my inspiration.
Joe Santos, District IV Commissioner: Growing the game. Cal North has been in my family for a very long time. My Father founded a Cal North league, I grew up playing for Cal North and my kids played for Cal North.
Diane Scavuzzo: Did you ever play soccer?
John Murphy, Cal North Past Chairman: No, I never played youth soccer although I was a referee at a high level for over 25 years.
Joe Santos: I played for Cal North from U7 to U19.
Lawrence Rustia: Like most kids in the 70’s I started playing organized soccer in grade school when it was still mostly a recreational sport. After a few years I tried out for and made my first competitive team in Northern California. After a move to Southern California I played for several Club teams in high school and played in college. I have continued my love of the game by playing in adult leagues in San Francisco until recently.
Craig Winans: I played in college at the United States Air Force Academy and a little after college for the 2nd ranked amateur team in the nation at that time – San Francisco Glens.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is the biggest challenge for the future?
Donna Kerger, District III Commissioner: Health and safety of the players is always the important thing for me but to also keep the sport affordable so everyone has the opportunity to participate in the “beautiful game”.
Rich Pinnell, 3rd Vice Chairman: Communication and creating a cohesive association are the biggest challenges that face every youth soccer association. I have served on the board for over 15years and even though Cal North is very large many teams don’t even know their league is a part of Cal North. Getting the right people in the right roles as well — for example, a great player does not always make a great coach, etc.
Michael Massa: I believe the biggest challenge facing youth soccer in Cal North is growing membership in both Recreation and Competitive divisions and increasing play in the Cups.
John Murphy: I have been on the Cal North board for over twenty years and I know that remaining true to the core value of doing youth soccer to benefit children, as children — and not just soccer players, is always the biggest challenge. It can be challenging to avoid placing the game of soccer itself above the interests of children as people.
Craig Winans: The biggest challenge for the future is moving forward in the right direction. With soccer growing so much we have a lot of non soccer people fulfilling roles that have a dramatic impact on the game. We need to remember this is a game and for us at Cal North it’s a game for children. For all children be it for those tremendously gifted players that might one day play for our national team, to the recreational player that will hopefully one day look back at their soccer playing career with fondness, to the players that play in our TOPSoccer program. All are equally important.
Joe Santos: Adapting to the different environments. We are constantly looking to see how we can best service our member’s needs, wants and desires. That is a big job. We not only have a big range of different types of soccer (rec, competitive, TopSoccer, etc.) but also have subgroups of those that includes the parents, players, referees, etc. We can’t focus on one solution for everyone. We have to recognize the diversity and continue to stay aware of that.
Diane Scavuzzo: Did you become involved because of your children?
Ray Suey: It always starts with your kids! Parents want to be a part of their growing up and experiencing new interests. My two oldest – who are now 44 and 46 years old – played for less than a year each and I was their coach 35 years ago. My two youngest – now 22 and 28 years old – played for about 10 years each and I was their coach initially; but as they improved, I passed the coaching duties on to more experienced coaches. The two oldest played in the Police Athletic League in San Jose. The two youngest played in the Castro Valley Soccer Club here in the East Bay.
Donna Kerger: I became involved in youth soccer because of my daughter who was 5 years old when we moved to California from Illinois. I worked two jobs and the evening job was with a title company and the women were constantly talking about their sons soccer games. I mentioned it would be nice to have something like that for “girls”. When they told me there were girls teams I immediately found a local league and signed her up. She played at the highest level, played ODP and got a college scholarship to play at San Jose State.
Rich Pinnell: I decided to get involved once my kids went off to college. My two boys played from U7 up to college and semi-pro. They are in their 40’s now. But I now have 4 grandkids playing for Cal North.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is your favorite thing about soccer?
Craig Winans: I would say two things. First the passion. Look at anywhere else in the world and soccer is the passion that drives a country. That intertwines with my favorite thing about soccer and that is the way in the United States different cultures, different countries, different beliefs can all come together when kicking a ball around and for at least a short period of time forget the worries of the world.
Michael Massa: The smiles on the kids faces before kickoff of the Under 6 through Under 10s divisions.
Ray Suey: My favorite aspect about soccer is that anyone can play the sport with success. You don’t have to have hand-eye coordination, be over six feet tall, super-fast or be overly muscular. If you have mobility, you can play. It’s a great team sport where kids can get outdoors and exercise. It’s a sport with all levels of play and kids don’t have to be intimidated.
Rich Pinnell: Watching kids play the game. I could never get tired of it. I love watching professional games but also going back and watching a U6 game. It’s the best feeling.
Mark Dickerson: It’s fun to watch and play and is an excellent family sport.
Lawrence Rustia: The greatest gift that soccer provides is that it’s universal and crosses all boundaries. You don’t need to speak the same language, it doesn’t matter what your socio-economic background is, where you live or what school you go to. All you need is a ball and space to play. The rest is up to your imagination and desire to play. Who could ask for more in terms of simplicity and beauty.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is your primary role on the board?
Craig Winans: I oversee Coaching Education, Olympic Development Program, Recreation, Referees, Soccer Start, and TOPSoccer. My background is extensive. I have been told I am the only United States Soccer Federation native San Franciscan with the highest license in the United States, a National USSF “A” license. I am probably the only licensed CPA in the United States with an National USSF “A” license as well. I have been an coaching instructor with Cal North since 1994 and I also have earned my NSCAA Premier Diploma along with the NSCAA National Goalkeeping diploma and the US Youth Soccer National Youth license.
John Murphy: As past Chairman, my role is to provide advice based on extensive experience not only at the State level, but also at the Regional and National levels.
Related Article: CAL NORTH RAISES THE BAR IN YOUTH SOCCER
