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Thanks to everyone who attended our Aug. 8 meeting. The revised Constituion should be available on-line by early September Remember that this document will take full effect over the next twelve months. It can be amended again at the Feb. meeting.

WASA has experienced slight growth over the past couple of years. In the fall of 1998 we served 18 teams rostering about 265 spots. We had roughtly 20 players doubled rostered; we served about 245 young people. Last fall we had 20 complete, local teams serving about 275 roster spots with 2 players double rostered. This fall we will have 17 teams serving about 275 players with no players double rostered. We have grown by about 30 players (12%) over the two yer period.

We had one classic team in 1997, none in 1998, 4 last year and 5 this year. We now play our home matches at Sokol and Holy Spirit, with a few games at the airport field. The airport field is in the best shape it has ever been in. We have some of our teams practicing at the UA rec fields and at Shelton State.

The Summer Sizzler had 42 teams in 1998; 69 teams last year and will have a similar number this year. Our tournament profits will almost triple from 1998 to 2000. This year we are formally sponsoring players for the first time. We will probably absorb cost for six or so players. We also are helping to defray the cost to teams of payng coaches (a fact of life in soccer).

We are financially stronger than ever. We are actually serving more players than ever. Our field situation is better than ever. Our new constitution gives us the oppourtunity to reach out to other segments of the local community in a manner not possible before now. PARA has started an indoor soccer league. There are adult amateur teams playing around town. In many respects soccer is better than it ever has been locally.

There is much to be done however. We need more fields to both play and practice on. The total number of young persons playing soccer locally is less than in many smaller communities such as Dothan or Meridian, Mississippi. We need to improve our visibility in the community and make it easier for people to find soccer outlets locally. We need to help local leagues get started that offer the chance to play without having to travel to Birmingham or beyond. We need to find a way to involve our growing Hispanic population and to reach out to the county's African-American population.

We are still a vounteer organization. It is imperative that more parents become actively involved. There is a great need for identifying sources of funding for soccer. We need to continue to broaden our base of participation and support.

If anyone has ideas or suggestions please feel free to contact me. We are on the verge of accomplishing great things locally in developing this sport. The next year or two will be crucial in determining soccer's long-term fate in Tuscaloosa. We need to do everything possible to develop the 'beautiful game".

-Greg Tyler