The Rainbow Soccer Board and Rainbow community have worked hard to bring you many significant changes, beginning this fall season. We are excited about them, and hope you are too. We welcome any comments or suggestions you have regarding Rainbow Soccer. (967-8797, or rainbowsoccer@earthlink.net). We always need volunteers (referees, coaches, field assistants, fund raising), and if you would like to help in anyway, please let us know. Rainbow Soccer Board of Directors: Vicky Brawley (President and Director), Brad Hemminger (Vice-President), Pam Hemminger (Treasurer), Jorge Izquierdo, Mike Strand.
Rainbow Staff: Vicky Brawley (Director), Alice Craft (Bookkeeper). Seven versus Seven (7v7) formatBeginning this year recreational leagues within Rainbow will change to a 7v7 format. We have had a very positive experience with this format in Sunbow Sevens. The change is strongly recommended by all youth soccer organizations (references, US Youth Soccer guidelines). Smaller sided games offer more action for players, more touches on the ball, more play on both offensive and defense sides, more scoring, and in general more of a “soccer” experience. Field ImprovementsThe Rainbow fields are a major asset to Rainbow Soccer. They are in a central location, and provide a large number of fields allowing the soccer community to come together to a single place to share their soccer experience. Unluckily, the fields are very worn and do not drain well. The lack of good drainage was apparent last year with the heavy rainfall causing the fields to often be unavailable for play. Rainbow is working on a long term plan to improve the existing fields as much as possible. This year we took the first step in repairing Youth Fields 4-8 on the gated side. The drainage and runoff have been improved, and a more appropriate sod, which quickly regrows, has been planted. The result should be a thicker more consistent grass, providing better play on the ball, and improved cushioning to the players. We are very excited about the changes to the fields, and hope you will have a positive experience with them this year.
The renovated fields are behind schedule due to the continued summer rains and will not be available the first month of this fall’s Rainbow soccer season. As a result games during the first four weeks are compressed into the remaining available fields. Beginning the fifth week (Oct 11th) games will be able to utilize all the fields. FieldsDue to the increased numbers of children and adults playing, and the desire to provide quality fields for practice and games, we are working to improve the existing Rainbow fields, and to rent field space around the area. Currently, the youth competitive (CH United) and adult competitive (Sunset) leagues hold practices and games on rented fields. We have increased the number of youth recreational teams practicing on rented fields, both to improve field quality and to offer locations more convenient to players and their families for practices. We are also working with all the leagues to offer them high quality fields and convenient locations. ParkingAn increased number of games are scheduled for the improved fields on the gated field (north) side. To facilitate parking, overhanging branches and brush have been cleared. To maximize parking and minimize traffic on this side, all cars are requested to park diagonally on both sides, and only pull into slots on their right. Thus, cars parking next to the field size should loop around first; cars parking next to the pond side must exit by going to the back loop and turning around and coming out. BudgetAs Rainbow has improved its services (field renovations, rented fields, online registration, licensed coaching staff and skills clinics for CH United and ADP), it is important that the Rainbow budget be balanced. Beginning fall 2003 each division within Rainbow has a budget, and must operate with a positive cash flow. This means that leagues like Chapel Hill United, Advanced Development League, and Sunset which have higher operating costs (rented fields, uniform costs, tournaments, licensed referees) have higher fees. Additionally, funding for field renovations has been moved to a separate budget. We have instituted a new budget and accounting process. To learn more about how Rainbow money is spent, look at our published budgets ( spring 2003 budget, spring 2004 budget, . Fund RaisingRainbow Soccer raises money through donations directly
to Rainbow and T-shirt sponsorhips. There is now a $5 fee included in player registration
that goes toward helping fund the field improvements at Rainbow. We are also fundraising via the Rainbow Raffle,
and soliciting donations. Money
from fees, the raffle and savings accumulated by Rainbow have
been used to fund this years initial field improvements. We still need to raise significant funds to
finish paying off the first phase of field renovations, as well as build
funds for the next field improvement phases.
Any size gifts help and are tax deductible.
To make a donation send a check made out to Rainbow Soccer to
Rainbow Soccer, Advanced Development LeagueWith the success of the Chapel Hill United youth competitive league, there has been an increased demand for high quality developmental programs for younger players (6-9 years old). The Advanced Development League follows national youth development guidelines, emphasizing small sided games (3v3 and 5v5) and skill development. |