AGM

Back on April 28th, when the Annual General Election of Officers for the St. Lawrence Soccer Association was called, things certainly looked rather bleak. It appeared that the fiscal matters concerning soccer in St. Lawrence was possibly at a all time low. There were no guarantees that soccer would even survive the 2004 season. Quite frankly, it had appeared that soccer had bottomed out. The Association was nearly $20,000 in debt. But because of the love of the sport and bit of persuasion, a group of individuals finally committed themselves to serve.

SLSA - A Big Business

St. Lawrence Soccer association has become a business and a big business at that. The annual budget of the association runs at approximately $225,000. That’s $75,000 for soccer and $125,000 at the Trophy Lounge. As any experienced business person would know when taking over a new business, your first order of business would be to evaluate your revenues and compare them to one’s expenditures. That’s exactly what we did . Obviously dealing with a enormous amount of money, I felt it was compulsory to have accountability. By doing this you create a clear picture of all monies and documentations of generated funds. To maintain this philosophy I felt our next step was to hire on a book keeper and that’s exactly what we did. We hired Marion Banfield, a move that I feel was an excellent one Marion has worked very close with a lady that that has 25 years of banking experience and she is the association treasurer, Judy Pitman. This combination has been dynamite duo for us.

Next, we evaluated the terms of agreement which existed with the associations running of the operations at the Stella Maris and the Laurentian Place. After evaluating this situation, our association felt it was in the best interest of soccer to maintain

our presence at Laurentian Place and remove ourselves from the Stella Maris. After a series of meetings with the town and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, a new contract was negotiated in June. In mid July, just prior to the beginning of Home Coming, the St. Lawrence Soccer Association moved it’s headquarters to operate Trophy Lounge out of Laurentian Place. Many thanks for this can be contributed to Father Frank Puddister and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Council and to the St. Lawrence Town Council. Actually, if it were not for the efforts of the St. Lawrence Town Council, the soccer association would not have survived or operated this season. The Town Council of St. Lawrence contributed a loan to the Soccer Association totalling $5000.00.This money allowed us to have operating monies for a cash flow. Further more the town eliminated $6,000 from our debt. Certainly the town council came through and each and every councillor supported our cause and at this time I say “thank you”.

Minor Soccer

Meanwhile, back at our regular soccer meeting and out at the soccer pitch, the grass was getting greener and things were progressing. Minor Soccer had assembled a group to reorganize and revamp minor soccer. The minor soccer group was led by Junior Edwards & Den Turpin and assisted by Frank Lambe, Leo Slaney, Judy Turpin and Yvonne Edwards. This new minor association registered 100 kids. Over the course of the summer kids from St. Lawrence competed in regional competition on the Burin Peninsula and three of our teams travelled to provincial competition to Corner Brook, Gander and Bay Bulls. Many thanks as well for this go out to the minor coaches, Clinton Edwards, Paul Slaney, Lori Edwards, Mark Pittman and Adam Loder for your efforts.

The minor soccer budget ran at approximately $20,000. I would like to inform you that every cent that was fundraised for minor soccer was spent on minor soccer. The St. Lawrence Soccer Association assisted all minor soccer teams in their travels to Provincial Tournaments. As president of the St. Lawrence Soccer Association I feel because of the dwindling numbers it is imperative that a move be put forward to join both the St. Lawrence and Lawn Minor soccer teams, If not, soccer will not survive in either community.

100th Anniversary

As I’m sure you are all aware, 2004 is the 100th Anniversary of the St. Lawrence Laurentians. In June, I assembled a 100th Anniversary Committee which consisted of Len Slaney, Yvonne Edwards, Lyle Drake and myself. I thank you guys for the excellent job you did. At this time I would like to congratulate all former Laurentian players, fans, builders of the game and in general to all residents, past and present, of St. Lawrence for your commitment to the game, and it is because of you people that the success of the Laurentians has been something that will be remembered throughout history. I thank you for the excellent job you have done!

In addition to the 100th Anniversary Committee I assembled and chaired a Hall of Fame Committee comprised of a elite group of Laurentians namely: Gus Etchegary, Len Slaney, Herb Slaney, Don Turpin, Reg Farrell, Keith Farrell, Wils Molloy, Norm Kelly, Junior Edwards, Leo Slaney and Lyle Drake. The purpose of this committee was to see if the NLSA would support St. Lawrence in getting a Provincial Soccer Hall of Fame. After some rather brief discussion with various NLSA officials. I sensed it is not worth to get caught up in the politics of this proposal. That request is now taken of the table. We are at present pursuing a new course,

we are looking to establish a St. Lawrence Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. Just last weekend, I met with Paul Shelly, Minister responsible for Culture Recreation and Tourism, and Premier Danny Williams to discuss the St. Lawrence Soccer Hall of Fame proposal. Both gave me a vote of confidence and have steered me on course as how to pursue a soccer Hall of Fame and Museum for our community. At this time I would like to congratulate Laurentians that have been inducted into various Halls of Fame in 2004:

Moe Clarke & Eddy Kelly -The SLSA Hall Of Fame

Greg Quirke, Joe Turpin, Jim Loder & Al Slaney - The BPSA

Jim Loder & Jack Simms - The NLSA Hall Of Fame

Later on we will be unveiling our very own new shields, one for the Hall of Fame and the other for the Wall of Honour.

Senior Level

At the senior soccer level we had the senior Laurentians and the Masters team. I’m sure everyone is aware that both of theses clubs lost in the final on a golden goal. I would like to thank Wils Molloy and Phonse Cooper for coaching the St. Lawrence Masters. With a bit of luck you guys could have won the provincial title and competed at the Eastern Canadian Finals in St. John’s.

At the first division level, that’s where the biggest disappointment came in St. Lawrence this summer. No doubt we were the better club, but I think we now must put that lost behind and move forward. Yes, the lost hurt in September. Actually it really hurt and it still hurts me to talk about it- 3 months later. But it’s time now for us to move forward and the players that want to play soccer with the Laurentians must prepare themselves, you must earn your places. Starting in January you guys must start preparing for the 2005 season. I realize that most of you guys are out of town now and there’s not allot we can do about do about but get yourselves ready. I would like to thank coach Junior Edwards and Derek Strang for their efforts.

I would like to congratulate: Richard Kelly, Adam Loder, Paul Manager , Clinton Edwards, John Douglas and Junior Edwards that were named to the Challenge Cup All-Star Team. Congratulation to Paul (Manager) Slaney who was named the leagues most spirited player and to Clinton Edwards who named the leagues top defender. Certainly I must acknowledge our Laurentians who had a very successful season with the MUN Seahawks. Clinton Edwards, Robert Kelly , John Douglas and to Jessica Clarke with the MUN Lady Seashawks

Again I would like to repeat, we must get over that hurtful lost of 2004 and not focus on the mistakes that caused us lose but rather learn from those mistakes.

Before I conclude I would Like to thank my wife Jocelyn for your continued support.

In concluding, I would like to inform the audience that the nearly $20,000. debt that the St. Lawrence Soccer Association were faced with in May is now paid off.

The $5,000, that we were compelled to borrow from the town in June to start a cash flow, has been totally repaid. Just recently after spending six months of searching and negotiating with various Insurance Companies, I am very proud to inform you we have full liability coverage put on the Trophy Lounge. It cost us $5500.00 and it’s paid for.

In addition to this $30,500. payoff we have spent -$2,000 Field;-$2,000 Don Turpin Broadcasting Booth; Sit on Lawn Mower -$ 2,500 ; and the repairs and up grading to the Trophy Lounge/ Laurentian Place - $3,500. All have been paid in full.

All costs that occurred this past summer to run both the minor and senior soccer program have been paid and at this present time the St. Lawrence Soccer Association have approximately $5,000 in the bank.