Valley Youth Conference, Inc. (Conference) believes in maintaining an openness about issues that are considered “HOT” in the Conference at any given point in time. Over the years we have faced many challenges and we have survived many if not all of them, by depending on the leadership of a core team of individuals and the tremendous support of the members of our four Sports.

One of the biggest challenges that we have faced over the years was access to facilities across all Sports (gymnasiums (for Basketball Athletes; Fields/Parks for Football and Cheerleading Athletes; or Running Tracks for our Track and Field Athletes).

When the Schools (LAUSD or other School Districts in the South land) have threatened to impose high usage fees for facilities, by using its influence strengthened by its purpose, size and membership we have so far affected affordable outcomes... making it possible for Clubs (especially users of LAUSD facilities) to continue to exist financially.

Current Issue Facing the Track and Field Division of VYC

A number of VYC Track Clubs have decided that they will leave the Conference after the current season. Do we feel that there are good reasons for them to disassociate? Of course not! Can we prevent the teams representatives from convincing their Club’s Board and participating Members that they should leave? Of course not! We know that we cannot speak to each VYC family member directly to offer a balanced position on this issue, therefore we will use various means of communications to reach each of you.

At this year’s IECs in Santa Barbara, we distributed a Memorandum to reveal to our membership an action that was previously taking place in stealth... the planned breakaway by a number of Clubs. We felt that speaking directly to our members for the last time in this season was necessary. Our experience tells us that after Conference Board meetings, Club Representatives present a view of what occurred that can be explained as “as being seen only through their own lens”. Given this point, we felt that it was necessary to let the members know what was transpiring. Of course, if after hearing both sides of the issue, a Club choose to leave then we can only wish them well. However, if there are individuals hailing from a “leaving” Club who would prefer to remain with VYC, we wanted them to know that they are welcome, absolutely, and that we would do everything within our power to retain their membership.

For a copy of the Memorandum that was distributed at IECs, click here to download.