Requests from coaches of all SPFSA teams will soon be accepted for the Fall 2008 practice field schedule. It will be compiled in the same fashion as it has been for every season. Once it is posted, please refer to the practice field ’template’ in the main section of this department to find your team’s appropriate age and division for a field assignment. Practice time slots are for either one hour or 1-1/2 hours. House and Inter-County teams are alotted one session per week. Travel teams are alotted two sessions per week. All team coaches or managers are advised to email Jim Fawcett, SPFSA  President,  @ jimfawcett@comcast.net with the following information in the following format:

 

1- Team contact name w/ phone number and email address.

2- Team name w/ age and division (ie - 3rd grade House, U-10 Travel, etc.)

3- First choice - ’Preferred’ day/s (Mon-Fri) and time/s (4:30-6:00 or 6:00-7:30)

4- Second choice - ’Workable’ day/s (Mon-Fri) and time/s (4:30-6:00 or 6:00-7:30)

5- Any extenuating circumstances that may limit the practice availability of the trainer/coach or players on certain days and times.

 

These practice field reservations will be compiled on an ongoing basis over the next week or two. More than 140 teams need to be accomodated within the guidelines provided to the SPFSA by the Township of Scotch Plains, the Borough of Fanwood and the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education.  Every effort will be made to process all requests in a fair and equitable manner. This will not be done on a first-come, first-served basis, however, a timely response by coaches will be appreciated. Requests that fail to include the five items as outlined above will only be considered after all other teams have been scheduled. Once the schedule is finalized, additional practice opportunities, including group training, will be considered for House and Inter-County divisions if practical.

 

The concept of practice field reservations has worked out extremely well since its inception five years ago and has assured all teams of guaranteed regular field space each week despite the relative shortage of playing fields. In addition, the entities that allow the SPFSA to utilize their fields appreciate the greater degree of accountability of which they sought. We look forward to your continued cooperation this spring. Many, many thanks. 

 

(August 13, 2008)