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Memo to: Sparta Coaches/Managers
From: John Valvasori, Club President
Re: 2009 Year-end Review
The 2009 season marked one of the most successful years in Hamilton Sparta’s recent history, not only in terms of team standings and cup and tournament championships, but also in terms of participation numbers, finances, discipline records and the outstanding contributions of our coaches and managers in running excellent programs across the board.
History: As you know, Hamilton Sparta has been around since 1965, one of the longest standing clubs in the province, let alone the Hamilton and District. It started as a men’s team in the district league, but eventually involved boys teams, then girls teams, all at the rep level; thereafter, mini-soccer and youth select teams were added to the fold as opportunities became available.
Our status is enshrined in the Hamilton & District Soccer Association constitution, and we are members in good standing in The South Region Soccer League, The Hamilton and District MJSL, the Ontario Youth Soccer League, the HDSSL, the Ontario Womens Soccer League, and the Ontario Soccer Association. We are the only club in this district with representation in all of these leagues.
We do not have a house league, for several reasons. Firstly, Hamilton is well-served by a large number of clubs who do a very good job taking care of that important segment of the soccer community. We do not have the desire nor the resources to compete with them, to upset a model that seems to be working well for Hamilton’s youth. We do not have a recreational adult league, which can be very profitable for those clubs who run them, for the same reasons. We are solely a rep/select club, as we have been for the past 44 years. The efforts of our very experienced executive members can be focused on issues related to our rep teams, supporting our coaches and players, without spending their time and attention with other matters. The formula has worked well for us.
On the field: In 2009, Sparta fielded the following teams:
Mens: the A team is currently fighting for top spot in the Ontario Regional soccer League, the highest level of amateur soccer in the province. The B team finished in the top half of the HDSSL and is vying for the play-off championship.
Womens: Playing in the OWSL, our team in the Provincial Division, the highest level in the province, finished in third place, our best standing yet, as did our second team playing in the regional division.
OYSL: Our u18 boys team, developed over the past 8 years, was the only team at any level in the Hamilton district which earned the right to compete in this league, the top youth league in the province, where they finished in the top half of the standings and were ranked as the 5th best team in the province.
SRSL: We fielded 4 teams in this league. Two newly formed teams, u13g and u16b, represented our club well as they began the developmental process with their players, many in their first year of rep competition. The u18 girls had their best year ever, finishing near the top of their league and winning several tournaments, in Ontario and the U.S. The u14 boys also had a great year, winning many tournaments and being promoted to the premier division for next year.
HDMJCL (select): Sparta teams had a great year in the HDMJCL. The u13g and u12b had their best seasons yet, in both league and tournament play, with the u12b winning the League Cup.. In mini-soccer, the two u10 boys teams each ended up in the top 2 in their division, with the A team winning the League Cup. The u10 girls also won the League Cup, and will compete at the premier level of the SRSL next year. The u8 boys dominated their league, finishing well on top of their division. The u8g used the experience of playing in a u9 league to develop their skills and won 3 u8 tournament championships.
Deportment: Sparta teams conducted themselves admirably on the fields this year, enhancing our reputation as a club whose coaches , players and parents respect the game, the officials and the opponents. Our discipline record will show us to have one of the best records around. The club is especially proud of this fact.
Finances: As a club, we remain financially stable, with a balance equal to about 20% of our annual operating costs. We are an incorporated club whose books are reviewed by an accredited auditor each year. Our registration fees per player this year were $340 (275 for mini-soccer). This covered the costs of 3 uniforms, track suit, rain jacket, bag, practice facilities, game fields, referees, equipment, OSA fees, league fees etc. We are often asked how Sparta can provide this at a price far less than other clubs. The answer is simple…we have no paid administrative staff, as our very experienced executive volunteers take care of all administrative issues; we have no paid head coach, as our team coaches are all certified and well-qualified; we have no expensive club-house to maintain, as we have chosen to forego that luxury to keep registration fees low. We run a very lean operation which appreciates the good-will and generosity of our benefactors.
Next year(2010): We are in an expansion mode. We have been fortunate in that several high quality and experienced coaches have applied to join Hamilton Sparta, attracted by our reputation, our support for our coaches, and the excellent programs that we have traditionally offered. We welcome them to the club. The boys program will be solid for years to come as we field teams in almost every division, from u7-u17. Our confirmed teams, coaches and divisions will be as follows:
BOYS:
U7 Nick Bontis (MJ u80
U8 David Prosia (MJ)
U9 (2 teams) George Sarakinis (MJ), John Barbati (MJ)
U11 (2 teams) George Palios (SRSL-premier) Dino Mancini (SRSL)
U12 Daniel DiGregorio, Nick Vavallo (MJ)
U13 Jim Balon (SRSL )
U15 Frank Mills (SRSL-Premier
U16 Hildeberto Leal (SRSL)
U17 Peter Oddi (SRSL)
GIRLS:
U9 Dave Fitzpatrick,John Valvasori Angie Valvasori (MJ)
U11 Sam Ciardullo , Joe Valvasori Carla Filice (SRSL-premier)
U14 Ray DiGregorio (MJ), Sonny Borghese (SRSL)
U18 Dave Martin (SRSL-premier)
SENIOR MEN/WOMEN
Sr Men - Paul Gesse (RSL)
Sr Men - Paul Gesse (HDSSL)
Sr Women - John Valvasori, Joe Valvasori (OWSL-Provincial)
- Drew Laird, Peter Urquhart (OWSL-Regional)
Additions to the above are still quite possible!
Notice: It has come to our attention that individuals from other clubs have been attempting to dissuade players from considering Sparta as a try-out option by shedding doubt on our viability or our standing when it comes to entering teams in various leagues. These blatant lies are signs of desperation and reflect the lack of integrity and ethics of those who voice them. If you become aware of such allegations and would like to set the initiator or recipient straight, feel free to share this memo with them. For corroboration of any of these facts, they are welcome to contact:
John Valvasori, President,Hamilton Sparta S.C., (905 679 6523)
Paul Gesse President, Hamilton District Multi-Jurisdictional Soccer League.905 577 3182)
Al Carofiello, President, Hamilton & District Soccer Association (905 383 0286)
South Region Soccer League (905 608 1300)
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