New UFA ECNL Director

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Thanks misssoccergurl for getting the info out. Anyone know what will happen now with those teams. Heard James was coaching 3 ECNL teams? And "me tinks", you have too much free time.

Doesn't matter, it's annoying either way. 

You’re supposedly a grown ass woman. Please don’t resort to using sarcastic suggestions or comments about someone else’s mental health. There are a lot of things more important or bigger than doing your absolute best impression of an illiterate youth soccer mole. Maybe it’s time to retire this silly ass persona and actually contribute as a serious (or at the very least productive?) member of this community

Yeah, while I don’t like the act at all it is what it is and I understand the reason for it. Lots of people that have spent time at various clubs have reasons to burn things down. An incoherent writing style makes it tougher to identify who it is. I’m glad for any insight into something like what is inferred here and even more grateful for those that make others aware, no matter how the message is delivered. 

This is unbelievable. We have been at UFA for a while and it continues to amaze me how they can make decisions like this. The 06 team is strongly opposed to having him coach due to whatever happened, but the club feels its ok that he is with the other 2 teams. Someone else feeling like this makes no logic at all? I do not know details of what happened if they are true or not, etc, but would think the clubs reputation is more important here if they are trying to bring in players, improve the club. I am on the boys side, but my daughter is almost to the academy level and really looking at other clubs now for her and possibly my son. I also heard that last season this 08 team, which was maybe coached by this James guy brought in a family for an out of state showcase and this family had been previously kicked out and that was told they aren't welcome at the club anymore. We don't have this craziness on the boys side and only reason I came to this forum was to try to get more info on what is happening before I introduce my daughter to some inappropriate adult. Please tell me the other clubs don't operate this way on the girls side. Thanks

The issue there is firing people off of accusations— because there may be legal repercussions. He has a contract, and I’m sure he pulled it out. I also have heard the rumblings of scenarios you mention. While I disagree with letting him stay while under investigation, no one really knows the actual accusations, what is on paper (we know rumors) and no one knows the SOP for the club and what happens when an accusation like this occurs.

If we were asking the right questions, it would be- “what is UFA/ECNL, etc PROTOCOL when an accusation of abuse happens”
Whether we like it or not, whatever that procedure is— they have to follow it. And we likely agreed to it when we sign docs. It’s our job as parents to determine if we continue to allow our children in that scenario and whether we choose to stay while they implement the procedure. It’s also our job as parents to say hey enough when people play in our face about our kids and a service we pay for.

It's been a few years, but having been a TM in the past I know they, along with the coaches, are obligated to take a LONG on-line class, with a Q&A session at the end of each section (you have to pass) going over proper protocols for behavior around kids, etc. It takes more than a few hours to even finish the courses because it is so thorough. Unfortunately, I can't remember all of the consequences and the steps that will be taken if those guides are possibly broken. The point is, I know they have procedures that will be followed. It is laid out in detail, so I know ECNL has that stuff covered for employment (along with a background check you have to pay for). Any TM's out there with a better memory than mine might be able to shine more light on it.

This is honestly one of the most horrifying things I've seen on this forum. To have the power to do something to stop a child from being taken advantage of and then choosing not to is unfathomable. If there is anything that we can do to support you or your team please let us know.

Everyone wants to act surprised and appalled when a woman is assaulted on live television on the biggest stage. It's not hard to see the pattern of abuse. Women and girls are taught from such a young age that they should just endure whatever this sport throws at them, even if that's at the expense of their innocence and sense of safety.

Children don't lie about situations like this. There is no reason to. And as Casey Stoney said in a recent interview regarding Rubiales. It's a coach's responsibility to make sure that they are not putting themselves in a position where this is even a possibility, especially when you are coaching minors. This "rumor" should be totally unbelievable, but it's not. More disturbingly, UFA knew that a situation like this was plausible before they even hired this guy.

Agree on most points. Taking a long class doesn't change a person. Anyone can get through it and pass the test and a coach can still be who they are. The TM on the other hand has a separate responsibility to uphold their duty and report misconduct, which sounds uncomfortable. I'm not sure ECNL would initially be involved unless a report was filed with accusations and it went beyond the highest level at the club (one being the DOC we're talking about). That may very well be the reason for the delay.   

The accusation that has been referred in this conversation is inappropriate texts/grooming.

You would think that James and/or the kid have the texts and the full conversations for UFA to read and review.

Let's play devil's advocate here for a minute about why UFA would remove him from one team and not from the other 2 teams--the texts and/or the full conversation did not sufficiently establish inappropriate behavior but because of the allegations and the result of the allegations, the best interests of the team at the beginning of the season and before league play starts was to have a new coach step in.

if he is inappropriate for 1 team, he is inappropriate for all teams. UFA knew his baggage before they hired him and looked the other way. This is on them. They don't need this attention, so they are quietly sweeping it under the rug and downplay the extent of any wrongdoing. I find it hard to believe anyone, let alone a teenager, would make something up out of the blue- especially since he has a track record. It makes me sick to think that someone would doubt a girl coming forward with any sort of complaint. I am sure glad my girls aren't at UFA, because what this situation tells me - they don't give one flip about the players. Parents- no patch is worth putting your kids in danger. And if the club isn't doing anything, I sure would and get out of there. Sad situation.