My name is Davin Mollman and I'm a 12 year old competitive soccer player in Utah. I want to bring up this policy that is affecting hundreds of youth soccer players like  me and my teammates.

Utah Youth Soccer Association (UYSA) has a policy that punishes youth soccer players, parents, and coaches if they choose to leave an existing soccer club to register as an independent team or move to a different soccer club regardless of circumstances. It is an unfair policy designed to protect the big clubs at the expense of us kids who have worked hard to get where we are. Under the current policy, a soccer club owns the divisional position and NOT the group of kids who actually played the games to earn that spot. The latest alignment policy states:

"Rule 1- The Organizational Member holds the alignment spot based on club continuity. Not team continuity."

and

"Teams choosing to leave an Organizational Member (club) shall be
considered an Independent team and will immediately be relegated a minimum of 2 divisions and start the alignment process from there"

Then 2 paragraphs later the policy states that other Independent Teams will not be relegated if they keep team continuity:

"Independent Teams,
    For independent teams that register directly to the state and will
    continue to be independent.
For teams currently playing 11v11: Team holds natural transitional spot

•  9 returning players – retain spot
• 7-8 returning players – relegated one division
• 5-6 returning players – relegated two divisions
•  <5 returning players – new team starting in the IRL

Teams currently playing 8v8: Team holds natural transitional sport

•  6 returning players - retain spot

Teams currently playing 6v6: Team holds natural transitional spot  

• 4 returning players - retain spot"

So, ONLY independent teams that have left a club are relegated to a lower division. Other independent teams are NOT relegated (nor should they be) and are allowed to keep the division they have earned. This is obviously a rule put in place to protect the big clubs and discourage teams from leaving, even if it is in team's best interest. Teams should be relegated based on performance not affiliation with a certain club. UYSA should not put the interests of big clubs ahead of the kids, parents, and coaches who have earned their spot through their hard work and dedication. We kids only get one chance to play youth soccer and the policies of UYSA should reflect our best interest. This policy is also contrary to UYSA's mission as stated in its bylaws:

"The general mission of UYSA is to be the primary organization developing, promoting, administering, and governing youth soccer in Utah by providing equal opportunities to all youth and creating a fun, safe, and positive environment that fosters player development and fair play."

There is nothing "equal" about the current alignment policy and it should be changed immediately so that us kids' interests are the top priority. We have dedicated thousands of hours to soccer and have the right to play in the division we have earned regardless of the uniform we put on. UYSA needs to change this policy so that teams hold the divisional position and not the club.