Discussions

I think it was taken down as they were getting absolutely swamped with extremely low reviews and angry parents comments (rightfully so I will add). I personally know of 4 people that were persuing refunds yesterday and know of 2 for sure that got them. This year is not off to a good start for them and is very poorly "organized" this year.

How bad can this organization get?  
 
That's pretty pathetic since communication is next to next to non existent at BYSA this year, FB was about the only way most players/parents got any information.  
 
I guess they didn't like the amount of negative comments and ratings they were getting, but what do they expect with the way things are being run this year?  
 
When u spend close to $400 to register 2 children for an organized sport there's an expectation of a quality program that lives up to their obligations...jerseys, equipment...teams, etc. Not a free for all where kids show up to a game with no coach, no jerseys, no balls...Next year I'll just organize a scrimmage once a week with a bunch of the neighbourhood kids and friends. I'll save money and a heartbroken kid and it would probably be better organized.

Some of you need to step up and volunteer so you can fix things.

Isn't a volunteer, she gets paid $60K a year and if I did my job like she does I wouldn't be kept around very long.  
 
I've tried to call and email to volunteer for weeks now (eventually gave up) and got no reply. They want $30 "volunteer" fee but make it literally impossible to get your volunteer hours in to get it back. I know a lot of other parents have tried too. Maybe if she allowed more volunteers to come in and help get the season started it wouldn't be the mess it is. My children have been involved with BYSA for 10+ years and it's never been this bad. In previous years staff were always in the office and welcomed helping hands.  
 
It's not her fault that she's short coaches, that might be the sign of the times. Both parents have to work more often now, there's a lot more shift work or parents having to travel for work. But I do blame her for the lack of equipment, organization and communication.

in perspective when you pay for swimming lessons do you expect to get in the pool and teach your kid?  
 
if soccer will only work with volunteers then get those volunteers before you sign children up, and make it cheaper

And if you coach, you're kids fees should be completely waived!! Coaching is a huge time commitment and a lot of responsibility, definitely worth more than $30 especially if it means 12 other kids get to play...Instead of threatening to cut kids and lose all their fees, maybe BYSA should consider offering that to potential coaches. That might help with the coaching shortage.

JackAzz said "Some of you need to step up and volunteer so you can fix things. "

I know many people who tried and offered to volunteer help get things ready. But when no one is in the office, or doesn't answer phones, etc. They don't get a chance to. Also the director is making big money, and should be able to organize better and point out where they need help. If they need coaches ( they were very short this year), they need to offer parents an incentive, like free or a seriously reduced fee for the child if the parent who volunteers to coach. The cut off for registration was supposed to be March 31st, which would give lots of time to organize by may! But they kept letting people register after cutoff. That doesn't help. Sounds greedy.  
They cancelled first week and first game the week after. So technically two weeks into an already short season and most teams still don't have jerseys or any info. People paid $100 plus as well as a $30 volunteer fee (which they get back if they volunteer 5 hrs) . So what is this money being used for ( other than jerseys and equipment). For that amount people should expect an ORGANIZED season. If you were hired to do a job, and were making good money to do that job, can you say "nobody helped me do it" when it doesn't get done? Probably not as it was YOUR job, not theirs.  
Just my opinion!

First of all, at $140 a child (yes, this was the cost we paid!!) no one should be FORCED to volunteer. That being said, for those of you commenting "why don't parents just volunteer", trust me, we tried. My husband was more than willing to coach, so he called the office (no answer, left a voicemail, no return call), and sent an email (also not responded to). So, for BYSA to continue to post on Facebook "volunteers desperately needed", this is a joke! Parents, us i:ncluded, have been trying to volunteer, but BYSA doesn't know how to answer their phone, or call people back! Sheesh!!  
Secondly, with a director making $60,000+, shouldn't BYSA have better organization that this? I think the thing that is most frusterating parents is the lack of communication provided. If they need help, pick up the phone when parents call and make arrangements! Don't post on Facebook asking for help, and than not follow through with it! Call or email parents directly, you have our contact information!  
So far, of the 4 scheduled games, 3 have been cancelled. Kids showed up at the first game, no jerseys. We understand these things can happen, HOWEVER, with a $140 registration fee, I feel the BYSA has a responsibility to send out an email to parents keeping us updated as to why games are cancelled, or why the jerseys are not here yet. Parents have been told nothing, and neither have coaches. Again, send out a mass email!! Everyone had to provide an email address with registration, how hard is it to enter email addresses into a computer and send out a communication email... it's 2017!!  
Personally, I want answers as to what my $140 is being used for. I also want to know whether the 3 of the 4 cancelled games are going to be made up sometime throughout the season (although I highly doubt they will). I want to know why there is such poor communication with coaches and parents. Is there a new director this year that is trying to iron out kinks? My children have played baseball, football, hockey, basketball, you name it, and I have never experienced the level or disorganization and lack or communication from an organization that I have experienced with BYSA. Ever!

Wait till your kids get older...I paid $185 per child

JackAzz said "Some of you need to step up and volunteer so you can fix things. "

when no one answers the phone, returns voicemails, emails etc. I know for a fact the person in the office screens the calls. Anything business related she calls right back and claims she was in a meeting...but calls you back within minutes. If you're a parent trying to get ahold of them, good luck to you. There's still kids playing without jerseys, coaches. Some teams don't even have equipment, parents are brining their own from home. $200 a kid......money grab, nothing more.

It really leaves the current volunteers,coaches, in a real tough spot. Parents expect the coaches to have all the answers but are left in the dark. Is that how u treat valuable volunteers. They had better get crackin cause they will loose lots of players this year and some coaches too !!  
 
The bysa paid position has closed off most contact from parents wanting some info, or better yet an explanation. They are way behind in organizing this years season and not taking the help that's being offered makes the optics of this situation even worse. Parents are calling to offer help yet no one replies. That's a recipe for disaster and it's happening this spring.  
 
Maybe they hired the wrong person for the job. If it's like many jobs in this town, given to a friend of a friend instead of the most qualified applicant !!!

It's funny I don't hear these complaints for volunteers or lack of communication for baseball football rugby etc. where does all the money go for youth soccer I know that that president gets 60 grand a year but they get free use of schoolyards. Can't believe soccer balls and cheap T-shirts would cost that much. $100-$200 per kid plus a volunteer fee for a kid that is ridiculous. It's almost like a Ponzi scheme I would be inquiring where all that money is going and lack of product to show. Soccer is a fun sport for all kids and win and organize Asian such a poor job I would imagine other sports will see an increase in enrolment next year. Sure glad I got my son into baseball a couple years back because soccer was a gong show. If you're able to I'm not sure if galaxy soccer is still around but that was a very well-run league

Unfortunately these leagues are only for the younger players ... the older kids, such as mine, are too old for them. So if my kids want to play soccer they have no other choice but BYSA. It would be wonderful if a soccer enthusiast would start another rec league. There are many parents sick of the gong show that BYSA has become, so I'm sure there would be a lot of interest. My kids have been playing soccer with BYSA FOR over 10 years and love the sport. They aren't interested in switching to another sport that they've never played before.

People just need to go down to the office and get answers face to face if they arent bothering to call or email back

As a sponsor of Bysa - I find this very upsetting  
 
I would like to know about teams with no jerseys - what age groups and male or female  
 
In youth sport - the uniform serves a purpose for administrative reasons but more importantly allows a child to feel special, feel like they belong and feel part of the team  
 
Please PM if you can as I need this info  
 
Thank you

My son is U4 and we have no uniforms or equipment. Our coach went to Walmart and bought balls and nets for us. It has been a disaster of a process with unanswered emails and requests for information for months. I would gladly share more of our experience with a sponsor. I would certainly want to know if if were me.

Hi, my son is also in the U4 group and very upset about the uniform issue, especially since they have already taken pictures. As the sponsor for the team is Tim Hortons, you could contact them about the issue, I have.

My son's team is U4 mixed and has no jerseys. His coach brought nets and mesh jersey shirts from his school so they would have something. Thankfully their pictures have been postponed until the 24th so maybe we will have them by then. Not very happy that we have no jerseys and started a week late. I think they should waive the $30 volunteer payment for everyone due to the run around and poor organization, you can't volunteer even if you want to!

memo99 said "People just need to go down to the office and get answers face to face if they arent bothering to call or email back "

We had a heck of a time to sign-up our youngest because of the phones and internet. It finally took two trips to the office, but we got it done. From what I can see... she's trying to do everything on her own, she was left with a mess from others and looks like she's still in a mess. We got the impression it was all falling apart last year and guess we were right with that assumption. We decided at Christmas to enroll our kids into other activities for this year. ...And by the sounds of it, I'm glad we did. Football and baseball has ran smooth so far with our kids, along with their dance and Bluefin swimming. However, crapping on-line about the soccer without a solution won't fix your problems. It's "disorganized" and has become a "gong show", we get it. What's the answer/solution? ...Perhaps more/new volunteers and the current coaches need to unite and help out more with the administration part or simply "take over" the organization. And parents need to put out or shut the hell up. Fix things. Don't screw it up any further. Last year the BYSA website was hacked/attacked, so who can say that it didn't get taken over again this week? I don't know... I'm not involved anymore (as a parent) ...Are any of you actually involved? I can also see that maybe the Facebook page had gotten suspended if a few disgruntled folks start using it as a "soapbox" to spew out their frustrations/anger towards the administration. Just read the comments of Giddyup here on eBrandon. Sounds a little toxic to me. I can see those kinds words manifesting into a rally of harsh statements. (It's only an assumption. I never saw the page, nor do I know how it's set up to post comments)  
 
Not justifying the mishandling from the BYSA, but it had it's fair share of setbacks and losses of support from many. The fields are a complete loss with no hint of help from any level of government (especially the city). The Keystone were not supportive at all this winter, the previous and current city councils dumped the idea of an indoor soccer pitch (the Sportsplex pool area idea or the addition proposal for the Keystone). Lots of people who where once involved have "jumped ship" since after the first flooding. Funding has dwindled. Volunteers (other then coaches) are scarce. ...It truly is a disaster with no end. And now parents are rallying together to trash the organization because they can't get immediate answers and/or solutions. Yeah, just sit there at the sideline on your big, squishy @$$ in that camp chair with that coffee in one hand and a phone in the other... And do nothing but keep on complaining that you're out of some money. This is the biggest problem with most of the community programs ...the lack of real involvement. Believe me, I'm guilty of it too! Many of us have forgotten how much volunteering support it takes to keep these community programs going. We just throw cash at them and expect a small handful of dedicated folks to do everything. And it's usually these same people year after year.  
 
Just recently, someone made a comment about how the community centers are in a awful state. We sit back an wonder why this is? ...That's because there's way more people who want to use it, rather than look after it or investing their own means or time in sustaining it. Almost all of us do this. That avoidance of being involved. Because we don't want to "feed the bears", you know what I mean... To do or offer to help once... and "your on the hook forever". Lots of us are like that. "I just want me or my kid to get to use it, but don't ask me to do anything", often floods into all of our minds. It's in the nature of most of us. "We'll use it as long no one tries to make me get involved or put us to work. Here! I'll give you some money ...just don't me responsible for anything." We're all just a little bit selfish when it comes to being asked to be an active volunteer.  
 
Most of our children's sport programs are like our community centers. Lot's want to use it, we'll even throw in some money, but the workload will rest on the shoulders of just the few. All the while they take the hits of criticism from the ones who chirp from afar (other parents). I'm no better. I walked away, so I'm just as big of an hypocrite as one can get. But, I'll warn all of you dissatisfied parents... Keep kicking at what's left of the support & structure of the BYSA and you'll collapse the entire program. Then there will be nothing left of organized soccer for older kids after this summer. Fix, don't destroy. Support, don't rip down. Remember: There's over twelve hundred kids registered... How many people are actually involved with the administration part? Maybe it's time for a emergency meeting with all the volunteers to organize more help at that end or to organize for a takeover in leadership?  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

I have 2 kids in soccer. Neither have jerseys. I believe it is a Canada wide issue not just local.. but yes it has been a mess this year. If it is too many kids. Not enough coaches then they should not have happily accepted the money from me and everyone else

Reference to the post above. Should I not be able to sit in my chair with a coffee if that's what I want to do? If I pay my $30 volunteer fee on top of my $100 registration fee? I mean I paid for my children to play soccer. Should I not get... soccer? I didn't ask for anything free. There is no excuse to accept all our money way in advance and not get what we paid for. Period.  
I paid months ago. Months. They knew how many kids there was going to be. If they could not provide soccer for these kids then they had no right to accept money from me or anyone else.  
My youngest has played only one time. ONE and she has no soccer on Monday again. Which is a soccer day for her.  
I did hear the uniforms have been delayed from the source for everyone everywhere, and not just a local issue. It does suck not having their uniforms. How do they know who is on their team?  
The coaches are doing the absolute best they have with nothing. My daughters coaches brought their own supplys. They had balls. That's it. No nets even. They have been told nothing.  
This $30 fee because it is nothing but a fee, there has been 0 chance for me to volunteer to end up not having to pay this. Who does this go to, and why. It is not like they are hiring someone to make up for my lack of volunteering. If it went to your child's coach I would happily pay it and that would make a world of sense to me. They volunteered to coach. I did not. It is a ton of work. That's where I would like to see it go. And maybe if the coaches received some money they wouldn't be short of coaches when soccer started! Otherwise this fee makes absolutely no sense to me. There are not volunteer opportunities for every single parent. I have 2 kids. So it is $60. Or 10 hours. But no chance to volunteer 10 hours. It is a fee. Period.  
One of my kids had pictures changed to a later date. The other did not. So his pictures were done NOT in uniform, that bothers me. Luckily the photo people had jerseys they could borrow for the picture so at least their shirts matched. Not their shirts in their color or number or their shorts and socks.. good thing I paid for that memory.  
I haven't talked to one parent that is not extremely upset and disappointed. It is that bad. It's just chaos. It is poor coaches with no info showing up with whatever equipment they can find on their own to supervise some kids running around after a ball that is not soccer when kids can't know who they can and cannot pass a ball to. Lost opportunity to actually teach them how to play.. not that it matters because by the middle of May my daughter will have played only one time.

Every parent paying $30. Not enough volunteers? I'm sure they could hire a few people to lighten that load with the $36 000 that adds up to. If there is 1200 kids playing. Where is this FEE going...

snowman5 said "    memo99 said "People just need to go down to the office and get answers face to face if they arent bothering to call or email back " We had a heck of a time to sign-up our youngest because of the phones and internet. It finally took two trips to the office, but we got it done. From what I can see... she's trying to do everything on her own, she was left with a mess from others and looks like she's still in a mess. We got the impression it was all falling apart last year and guess we were right with that assumption. We decided at Christmas to enroll our kids into other activities for this year. ...And by the sounds of it, I'm glad we did. Football and baseball has ran smooth so far with our kids, along with their dance and Bluefin swimming. However, crapping on-line about the soccer without a solution won't fix your problems. It's "disorganized" and has become a "gong show", we get it. What's the answer/solution? ...Perhaps more/new volunteers and the current coaches need to unite and help out more with the administration part or simply "take over" the organization. And parents need to put out or shut the hell up. Fix things. Don't screw it up any further. Last year the BYSA website was hacked/attacked, so who can say that it didn't get taken over again this week? I don't know... I'm not involved anymore (as a parent) ...Are any of you actually involved? I can also see that maybe the Facebook page had gotten suspended if a few disgruntled folks start using it as a "soapbox" to spew out their frustrations/anger towards the administration. Just read the comments of Giddyup here on eBrandon. Sounds a little toxic to me. I can see those kinds words manifesting into a rally of harsh statements. (It's only an assumption. I never saw the page, nor do I know how it's set up to post comments)     Not justifying the mishandling from the BYSA, but it had it's fair share of setbacks and losses of support from many. The fields are a complete loss with no hint of help from any level of government (especially the city). The Keystone were not supportive at all this winter, the previous and current city councils dumped the idea of an indoor soccer pitch (the Sportsplex pool area idea or the addition proposal for the Keystone). Lots of people who where once involved have "jumped ship" since after the first flooding. Funding has dwindled. Volunteers (other then coaches) are scarce. ...It truly is a disaster with no end. And now parents are rallying together to trash the organization because they can't get immediate answers and/or solutions. Yeah, just sit there at the sideline on your big, squishy @$$ in that camp chair with that coffee in one hand and a phone in the other... And do nothing but keep on complaining that you're out of some money. This is the biggest problem with most of the community programs ...the lack of real involvement. Believe me, I'm guilty of it too! Many of us have forgotten how much volunteering support it takes to keep these community programs going. We just throw cash at them and expect a small handful of dedicated folks to do everything. And it's usually these same people year after year.     Just recently, someone made a comment about how the community centers are in a awful state. We sit back an wonder why this is? ...That's because there's way more people who want to use it, rather than look after it or investing their own means or time in sustaining it. Almost all of us do this. That avoidance of being involved. Because we don't want to "feed the bears", you know what I mean... To do or offer to help once... and "your on the hook forever". Lots of us are like that. "I just want me or my kid to get to use it, but don't ask me to do anything", often floods into all of our minds. It's in the nature of most of us. "We'll use it as long no one tries to make me get involved or put us to work. Here! I'll give you some money ...just don't me responsible for anything." We're all just a little bit selfish when it comes to being asked to be an active volunteer.     Most of our children's sport programs are like our community centers. Lot's want to use it, we'll even throw in some money, but the workload will rest on the shoulders of just the few. All the while they take the hits of criticism from the ones who chirp from afar (other parents). I'm no better. I walked away, so I'm just as big of an hypocrite as one can get. But, I'll warn all of you dissatisfied parents... Keep kicking at what's left of the support & structure of the BYSA and you'll collapse the entire program. Then there will be nothing left of organized soccer for older kids after this summer. Fix, don't destroy. Support, don't rip down. Remember: There's over twelve hundred kids registered... How many people are actually involved with the administration part? Maybe it's time for a emergency meeting with all the volunteers to organize more help at that end or to organize for a takeover in leadership?     Just my opinion, I could be wrong. "

Grumping online does not fix it. This is true. However, if you read the other posts, you will notice that several parents, myself i:ncluded, have offered to help out with no response. It's not hard to send an email to someone agreeing to accept some help. We shouldn't have to go down in person to get answers, not to mention most of us can't get there in person due to work responsibilities. We are upset as they claim to need help, but won't take the initiative to accept it. I'm sorry if the current office gal was left a mess, but this is where we could help.  
I'm hoping our jerseys show on Monday for pictures. As far as fees, I understand the kids get shorts, jerseys, and socks, but I'd rather save the money and buy my own socks and shorts. If I had more time and help, I would be all over starting a league like Galaxy for older children. BYSA has been a big part of my life growing up and I enjoy seeing my child have fun with the same things I did. It's sad to see it so disorganized.

A lot of people on here that think the fee they paid covers some free babysitting by a volunteer coach so they can sit and play with their phone uninterrupted a couple of nights a week.  
 
Edited by HankTank, 2017-05-13 07:37:11

if they are overwhelmed, ask for help. hire part time staff. put a call out for volunteers on their Facebook page..Oh wait..they just deleted it. and aren't responding to calls. or emails.  
 
a friend went to their office at 11am on a weekday and no one was there.  
 
message sent while sitting on my butt playing on my phone while my kid is in swimming lessons (with 0 parent volunteers lol)

Wow, after reading all of this, it's just another reason I'm happy I don't live in Brandon any more! Kudos to the Shilo soccer league for being so organized!!!

ABSOLUTELY no way I am paying a $30 volunteer fee to BYSA. I will give it to our coach. IF people read parents' posts you will see that our frustration in coming from a complete lack of information and responses. MANY of us have offered to volunteer over and over and never heard a peep. Myself i:ncluded- months ago and I offered to organize teams and an entire age group as well as coach- and never heard back . I am happy to be actively involved and volunteer, as many parents are- but you better explain the $60 000/year paid positions' responsibilities to parents. And call it what you want- if we pay for our kids to play soccer and have no equipment, no uniforms, free fields, no contact/responses and volunteer coaches.... it would be crazy for us NOT ask where the money is going. Last thing I'll say is that I have talked to many parents and this forum isn't just an outlet to complain- we are actually hoping the right people read it (sponsors, people above the director etc) and make some positive changes.

BYSA asked parents to volunteer to coach their children (totally reasonable). But wouldn't confirm what days. Or times. Or locations. JUST saying.....

I also tried to volunteer. Sent 3 messages with no response. I think they should give everyone at least a partial refund and take a hit on the profit