Road to Nowhere

Spent a few minutes going over the initial draft of the CSA’s ‘2008-2012 Draft Strategic Framework’ this morning. A few minutes is all it takes to read what is essentially a power point document. I don’t know how the suits on Parliament Hill take to this sort of thing, but it leaves a soccer supporter scratching his head.

I think ‘underwhelming’ is the proper word here. Though this is clearly a first take rather than the polished document, it still manages to say absolutely nothing in its seven pages.

Of particular note:
- The small blank box where the cost of this strategic plan will eventually (one hopes) be included. There doesn’t look like a lot of room for zeroes in there.
- The graphic that read ‘Wellness to the World Cup’. Apparently, if everyone takes their multivitamin and gets plenty of rest, Canada is halfway to South Africa 2010.
- The ongoing blather about ‘participation’ and ‘having fun’. Getting kids to enjoy soccer is not the job of a bunch of part-time bureaucrats. That’s work for their parents and coaches. I wish the CSA would stop cloaking itself as a bunch of well-meaning soccer dads and get to the business of clearing a path for our elite teams. Soccer at my local park will exist with or without the CSA.

The approach throughout is typical CSA – timid, non-specific, wishy-washy. Just the sort of thing that nobody can be pinned to at a later date. These guys should rename their little mob the CIA.

There isn’t even the kernel of a plan in here. What are they going to do about sponsorship or home games? Where is the hierarchy that should exist – where the senior teams take precedence? How are they proposing to structure the budget? What is the deadline for the naming of the newly rebranded ‘General Secretary’? Could there be any truth to the frankly ridiculous but unkillable rumour that they’re thinking about going back to Fred Nykamp (!!) with that job? Where are the bold promises (‘We’ll make the 2010 World Cup. Period.’) that fans want to hear?

Again, I realize this is a first effort. But it holds out little hope for the few who thought the CSA might take a stand this time.

Cathal Kelly

Comments

[Jason Ohashi]

I'll give the CSA the benefit of the doubt that they have somewhat a plan because this is only their draft and they're making some big claims by saying they're aiming for sustainability, and some other stuff. But you're 100% right that they're not specific with no time-line and it might just be a lot of bull to keep the readers of their strategic plan happy.

[alex]

That entire document smells of BS.

Until being incompetent while working for the CSA means you get fired, we’ll be spinning around in circles forever.

Got to love their take on Revenue generation priorities:

1) take money from children
2) Beg the government
3) If we have any spare time after we get back from three hour lunch we’ll consider developing an actual marketing strategy.

[Johnny Centreback]

Good point Cathal about the "well-meaning soccer dads" but having spent time in the system, I don't know how well-meaning anyone really is. Some are, some aren't. The problem is that we have no way of holding anyone accountable. And the greater problem of course is that no one is willing to instill the organization with any ambition. People might find this crazy but I think that the new CSA has to come out and say: "Our objective is to WIN the World Cup". Even Mo Johnston last year said that Scotland and Canada will NEVER win the World Cup but I think this is very wrong. You cannot build a meaningful team, let alone an organization, without having the BIG DREAM. But that dream of course would expose a lot of "well meaning soccer Dads" and the general corruption of the system that is in place: people might get forced out of positions of power, competant new people might get hired who would pursue the dream. And the dream, while it might not get attained real soon, would move us all forward (put us on a path to SOMEWHERE) and make us all feel worthwhile, proud and that we all belong on the world stage...

[alex]

Very true Johnny. Being Ambitious helps. This organization should always have something to drive for and achieve.

I agree accountability is the ulitimate problem with this association.

[Brian Vander Zhang]

Pixelated pictures, overlapping borders, Huge titles with little follow up substinance... Even the presentation of materials is weak and under-confident.

Someone PLEASE give these CSA guys a basic lesson on layout and template design!