By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching, Eastern New York Youth Soccer 
Association
One of the things that has always baffled me about the United States is the arrogance and absolute belief that many youth sports parents have that they have been ordained experts in a chosen sport as they have watched some games.
ENYYSA's Grassroots Mandate has managed to both bring out the best and worst in people. Many clubs across the state have simply knuckled down to getting all those who will be on a touchline to obtain the minimum requirement of a Grassroots license. When I say many, I mean the vast majority.
A few clubs and communities have, of course, taken the opportunity to call and tell me how wrong we are to suggest that every travel age player deserves a qualified coach. During these calls I have been told amongst other things that: