Welcome to the "The Pitch", the official newsletter of the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association Coaching Education Department. Each issue will contain updates on the coaching department as well as information about opportunities available to coaches.

2010 Course Schedule
The Coaching Education Department is on the road with licensing opportunities around Wisconsin. The schedule of courses through July 31, 2010 is now available. Coaches, both head and assistant, are reminded to fulfill their minimum licensing requirements prior to the start of the spring season. A complete schedule of dates and course registration is online at http://ssl.hammerhead.net/wisconsin/coachingcourses.asp.

Coach Passes
Don’t forget that a valid coach pass is required to be on the sidelines during games. Upgraded passes are not issued automatically upon completion of a course. You can request an upgrade to your coach pass by sending the card to the state office along with a copy of your upgraded certificate and a $2 payment to WYSA. A new pass reflecting the license upgrade and same expiration date will be printed and mailed to your home address.

Those coaches who need to renew an expiring card may do so within 90 days of expiration. Please use the registration ID found on the front of your pass to log into the e-KidSafe system and complete your renewal. An updated photo is optional. Note that coach pass renewals will not be processed without the submission of an expired card.

Please review the Coach Pass FAQ sheet or contact Julie Schmitt at jschmitt@wiyouthsoccer.com or 888.328.9972 ext 100 with coach pass questions.

Region II Coaching Symposium
The 2010 Region II Coaching Symposium is scheduled for March 12-14 at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana. More information including registration will be available at www.region2.com.

Coaching Education Resources
U.S. Soccer Federation Coaching Education manuals for the ‘E’ certificate and ‘D’ license course, plus The Best Practices for Coaching Soccer in the United States are available for download at http://www.ussoccer.com/Coaches/Resources.aspx. Order information for The Bible of Coaching, "Soccer: How to Play the Game" and “Success in Soccer” coaching magazine are also listed online.

Coaches attending WYSA courses receive materials at check-in, but please use the U.S. Soccer website as a resource for coaching education information.

Success in Soccer
Members of Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association are eligible for a 10% discount on subscriptions to Success in Soccer magazine. Refer to the SIS website at www.successinsoccer.com for more information about the magazine and be sure to use promotion code WYSA.