All teams in NOVA-CL are required to schedule match referees through league approved referee assignors.  This is a reminder of the policy of the referee assignors for match cancellations.

1. In the Grey Division, the host team is always responsible for obtaining the referee and paying their fees and the fees of their schedulers. Payment is due in full before the match begins.  In the White Division, the host team is always responsible for obtaining the referee; however, the referee’s payment is equally split between both teams on site before the match begins.
2. If a match is cancelled because one or both teams cannot field a full squad, the referee scheduler must be notified at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled start time or the host team will be responsible for all fees as if the game were played. Please immediately notify the League Director as well so fields can be reallocated, etc.
3. If a team cancels with less than 24 hours notice for non-weather related reasons, the host team is still responsible for paying the referee. However, if the guest team forces the cancellation it shall either pay the referee fees directly or reimburse the host team.
4. If a game cannot be played because a host or guest team fails to cancel yet shows up with too few team members to play, that team is responsible of all referee fees.
5. Schedulers will make exceptions for foul weather cancellations as outlined below:
   1. If you cancel more than 4 hours before the match, you will not be charged. If you cancel less than 4 hours beforehand, you may be, at the discretion of the referee scheduler. Schedulers may be dealing with many teams and referees. Referees may go from one game to another and not be reachable by phone during a game.  So schedulers need enough time to make contact with the referee.
   2. Referee schedulers require a cancellation notification by BOTH an email and a phone call. The phone call is more immediate and allows them to contact the referee and call them off and the e mail serves as a reminder of what happened and of your expectation that you will not be billed.
   3. In the event of bad weather immediately prior to or during, the match, the ultimate decision about whether to cancel, delay, or interrupt a match due to dangerous conditions shall be made by the referee who will consult with both team captains.
   4. The referee and field captains will also consult on the resumption of play. In general, 30 minutes must pass with no lightning strikes or thunder before play can resume. If a match is delayed due to lightning or heavy rain, all players must immediately vacate the field and wait in safe shelter until a final decision is made on continuing play.
6. If a host 0r guest team is unable to complete the match because players have left the game site during a delay, that team will be responsible for the referee fees.

1. Most matches have a 3-hour window to complete play.  Be patient and give severe weather time to pass.
2. If a referee either delays a start or interrupts a match due to weather, please be supportive. Everyone, including the game official, wants to get in a match. But only one person (the referee) is responsible for player safety.
3. If  the weather (or the forecast!) looks ominous, send a reminder email to your players letting them know that just because it’s pouring rain in one part of the county, doesn’t mean the weather is bad in other parts.
4. A smart phone with a weather tracker/radar such as WeatherBug or Weather.com is very useful.

With NYC still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the first match of the DC United – NY Red Bulls home-away play off games has been moved to RFK on this Saturday, Nov. 3. 8pm kickoff.  (A second match will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 7, in NYC with the team scoring the most goals in both games winning the series).

This means, there’s going to be a rowdy, loud crowd at RFK. Inject playoff level intensity and the mix is there for a great night of cheering on DC United.

You have the opportunity to secure NOVA-CL discounted tickets through the links below.  Log on and use the promo code: United

http://bit.ly/AS_Playoff_Game_One – SUPPORTERS’ SIDE
http://bit.ly/YS_Playoff_Game_One – PLAYERS’ BENCH SIDE

(*ORDERS OF 15 or MORE contact Mikael Tigrett directly to save money on the ticketmaster fees)

Pricing:

Mezzanine: $50 (reg. $60)
Midfield: $40 (reg. $50)
Sideline: $30 (reg. $40)
Endline: $25 (reg $30)

For more information, please contact our D.C. United representative Mikael Tigrett at 202.587.5469 or mtigrett@dcunited.com

Mark you calendars now!  Rally your guys and their supporters! NOVA-CL is taking over a section at an upcoming DC United match!

In what is expected to become an annual event, I’m pleased to announce Northern Virginia Coaches League night at DC United. It takes place Sunday, September 23, when DC United faces Chivas USA at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC.  It promises to be an exciting match as the club continues its thrust to make the MLS playoffs.

We’ve secured a block of 80-seats (discount priced) located directly behind La Barra Brava, so be ready to experience the drums, songs and chants of DC United’s legendary 12th man.  We also plan to stage a pre-game tailgate (details to come) where managers, players and their family/friends are all invited to stop by for ‘brats-’n-beers!

Tickets are $26.25/each, an $8 discount from face value.  You can buy them at the link below.*

• http://bit.ly/NOVA_CL_Night
• Code: United

Hope to see you and your teammates on the 23rd!

* If you wish to order more than 14-tickets, please phone Mikael Tigrett, our DC United rep, at 202-587-5469. Be sure to mention NOVA-CL!

Grey Division Managers: Just prior to the start of the Fall 2012 season I received an email from Bob Ashpole announcing that he has stepped down as the manager of the Orangemen FC. Bob was great to work with as he cared dearly about the league. He was known for offering a skeptical, and at times, dissenting view on league affairs, something I will miss.  Copy of his email to me is listed below.  Meantime, please take a moment to welcome Jim Muccio as the new manager of the team. -SJ-

Email from Robert Ashpole, July 24, 2012: Effective 1 August  I will “retiring” as manager for the Orangemen FC.  Jim Muccio will be taking over. As I won’t be a manager any longer, I will resign from the league disciplinary committee too. It has been a pleasure working with you. I look forward to enjoying some time as simply a player again before I retire and leave the area. “

During summer’s high potential for several weather, this is a reminder of the policy of the referee assignors for weather related match cancellations that we’ve reviewed at the annual Sportsmanship Summits.  (Policy for non-weather related cancellations can be seen here).

1. If you cancel more than 4 hours before the match, you will not be charged. If you cancel less than 4 hours beforehand, you may be, at the discretion of the referee scheduler. Schedulers may be dealing with many teams and referees. Referees may go from one game to another and not be reachable by phone during a game.  So schedulers need enough time to make contact with the assigned referee.
2. Referee schedulers require a cancellation notification by BOTH an email and a phone call. The phone call is more immediate and allows them to contact the referee and call them off and the e mail serves as a reminder of what happened and of your expectation that you will not be billed.
3. In the event of bad weather immediately prior to or during, the match, the ultimate decision about whether to cancel, delay, or interrupt a match due to dangerous conditions shall be made by the referee who will consult with both team captains.
4. The referee and field captains will also consult on the resumption of play. In general, 30 minutes must pass with no lightning strikes or thunder before play can resume. If a match is delayed due to lightning or heavy rain, all players must immediately vacate the field and wait in safe shelter until a final decision is made on continuing play.
5. If a host 0r guest team is unable to complete the match because players have left the game site during a delay, that team will be responsible for the referee fees.

1. Most matches have a 3-hour window to complete play.  Be patient and give severe weather time to pass.
2. If a referee either delays a start or interrupts a match due to weather, please be supportive. Everyone, including the game official, wants to get in a match. But only one person (the referee) is responsible for player safety.
3. If  the weather (or the forecast!) looks ominous, send a reminder email to your players letting them know that just because it’s pouring rain in one part of the county, doesn’t mean the weather is bad in other parts.
4. A smart phone with a weather tracker/radar such as WeatherBug or Weather.com is very useful.