Verona United soccer under fire by local parents

VERONA -- This fall marks the 18th season for the Verona United Soccer Club, a youth soccer program in Verona with a total of 26 teams across nine different age groups. Verona United is a youth partner of the New York Red Bulls as players are evaluated by professional trainers from the Major League Soccer team.

Following tryouts in early May, roster announcements were sent to parents of selected players on June 12 via email from the team manager assigned to them. According to some parents, however, e-mails and even some phone calls from team managers around that time had unexpected news: their children were not participating.

At least five children were told they were no longer on the club, according to one parent that spoke to the Verona-Cedar Grove Times.

"Kids have been moved up or down due to evaluation," said the parent. "They've never moved the child out."

Outraged parents have rallied around a quote from Club President Matthew Bosco from a press release published in April on MyVeronaNJ.com in regards to tryouts. In the release, Bosco is quoted as saying, “It’s great that the club has seen an explosion of growth and success in recent years. Our focus remains squarely on inclusion and allowing development regardless of skill level and that seems to be working. Verona United is intent on helping to create great soccer players and great people”.

Parents have stated that, had it been known that Verona United was not going to accept all players like in the past, children would have been entered into soccer leagues in other local towns such as Montclair. However, the timing of this announcement has left parents to wonder why.

Team administrator Justin Marriott answered requests for comment, stating that "parents are encouraged to reach out to our very accessible board." Marriott would add that parents reaching out to the board would have their issues addressed in a case by case basis. 

"We have close to 300 players within the club and we work for them," said Marriott. "We also will continue to work for the other families. 

Marriott alluded to what he referred to as an "alternative" that was on the horizon, but did not provide details on what it meant as of yet, only that its format would begin with a season in the month of September. 

"We would prefer for parents to dedicate their energies and passions to help improve the club," said Marriott. "When we have increased numbers, we have increased options and more flexibility."

Marriott added that meetings for Verona United are held each month at the Verona Community Center and are open to any parent that has a child participating with the club.

According to the by-laws of the club, last revised in Dec. 2014, a parent or guardian of a current player or any past player for the club is considered a General Member and is encouraged to attend all Regular Business Meetings. The board will next meet on Monday, June 26.