WAGS members approve club pass system

It\'s on their home page, and will be welcome news to many. The message from Kathie Diapoulis, WAGS President reads:

"In an ongoing effort to promote a healthy developmental environment, specifically tailored for age groups U-9 through U-11, the WAGS Membership overwhelmingly approved the implementation of Club Passes.  This will be the first of many modifications as WAGS strives to create the most advantageous program possible for our young athletes."
This system was proposed in the spring, but tabled until the fall meeting. It will allow any carded player in the U-9 through U-11 age groups to play for ANY team in their club for which they are age-eligible, with the only limit being they may not play two WAGS games in the same day.

The system is intended to promote player development systems within WAGS member travel clubs. The theory goes that a club will now be able to train a single pool of players in each age group, roster them on separate teams as a basic structure, but still be able to move players back and forth on teams throughout the season based on their progress, player shortages, or really for any reason.

The Club Pass is also intended to allow a player to play "up" for an additional challenge, without needing to leave the team within their true age group.

The system could solve a lot of problems in today\'s typical clubs. Many clubs are simply places for teams to hang their hats while they compete with every other team in their own age group - including teams within their club. They compete on the field, and for players in the off-season.

For clubs that take a top-down approach to their player development, coordinating coaches, training, and philosophy through a Director of Coaching, this presents a tremendous opportunity. But for those clubs full of "mercenary" teams run independently of each other, this system has the potential to become a lightning rod for complaints.

The actual number of guests allowed per game will be limited to three, with U-11 and U-12 teams allowed 14 player rosters on game day - including three guests. U-9 and U-10 teams will be permitted 12 players on game days - including the three guests.

The exact wording in the adopted rule change reads:
Carded players on U-9 through U-11 teams are permitted to guest-play for any U-9 through U-11 teams within their club for which they are age- qualified. The main objective of the club pass system is to allow coaches to move players freely within their own club based on specific team needs and in the interest of player development.  Players using club passes are considered guest players and can only play for one WAGS team per day.

Whether you agree or disagree that this new system will help player development, it is certain to have a big impact in some way. It\'s a good thing to promote cooperation between teams within a club. But, time will tell if the coaches, administrators, and parents are willing to cooperate at all.