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Greetings,
Hi everyone and welcome to our August Newsletter. I encourage you to take a moment to read the letter from our Club President Stan Zaist as he gives the "State of the Union" for JHYS. As well, please consider JHYS in your donations to Old Bill's. Your support will help us to maintain our current programming, coaching staff, administrative staff and the scholarships we are able to award. All the best, Carlos Elizondo Director |
Letter from JHYS President Stan Zaist
Dear friends of Jackson Hole Youth Soccer, This is an opportunity to provide a "State of the Union" for Jackson Hole Youth Soccer (JHYS). As background, my involvement with JHYS goes back 16 years when my oldest daughter become involved with summer recreation soccer. As my two daughters progressed through the years from rec soccer to travel to the high school team, my involvement followed with them. This includes coaching summer soccer, travel soccer, and being on the Board for the past 10 years. Let's go back 15 years ago and look at how JHYS was structured:
- Soccer was offered in two program areas - summer recreation and the more competitive travel soccer in the Wyoming League only
- The club had no paid coaches or staff- JHYS was strictly volunteers
- Ours kids had to leave the valley for camps or more advanced competition
- Tournaments were limited to traveling to Wyoming events-
Here's a summary of how JHYS has evolved and developed in recent years:
- About 10 years ago a part time Club Manager was hired
- 6 years ago, a major step was taken by hiring a full time Director of Coaching.
- This role was first filled by Rob Karras and in the last 3 years by Carlos Elizondo
- Our travel teams now also play in the Idaho league and compete in top tournaments throughout the Region
- JHYS was instrumental in getting the approval and financing to upgrade the new fields at the High School from grass to synthetic
- The Fall Classic Tournament was started 6 years ago and has grown to a major regional event with 84 teams in 2010
- JHYS expanded the Recreation Program to include spring and fall programs that now have over 230 young players participating each season
- JHYS conducts two summer camps that present a great opportunity for our kids without leaving the Valley
- We now have 35 paid coaches in our different programs who are supplemented by volunteer coaches
- In 2011, a full time Business Manager position was established to bring the necessary level of financial management to JHYS
I think you will all agree that is an impressive list of improvements that have been carried out. The net result is a vibrant, active club providing a wide range of soccer opportunities for our children.
Last summer, the Board went through strategic planning sessions to establish our goals and objectives moving forward and defining action steps to implement. One of the key assessments was that JHYS has had sufficient growth for the time being and we want to focus on maintaining and improving on the quality of the programs provided by JHYS.
A key step was hiring a full time Business Manager (Ivar Brock-Utne) to bring a higher level of financial management to the Club. This is very important as we strive to maintain all or programs at a high level while working hard to keep our fees affordable and of high value to our customers.
Please keep all this in mind as we move into the Old Bill's contribution time. Your support is critical for us to keep these programs at the levels that we have developed. Further, we welcome your comments and quality improvement suggestions as we continue to strive to keep Jackson Hole Youth Soccer at the highest level.
Thank you for your support,
Stan Zaist
JHYS Board President
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