A Letter to our Parents...

Dear West Salem Booster Members:

The West Salem Booster Club is a volunteer organization that works with the City's Department of Parks and Recreation to find volunteer coaches, coordinate practice times, create team drafts, and purchase equipment for players that reside in West Salem. We're proud of the work we do to provide some of the best children's recreational sports opportunities in the Valley and we want to maintain open lines of communication between West Salem families and the recreational programs offered by the City.

We would like to tell you a few things about our programs:

1. ”It’s all about the kids”. Our programs are developed for the benefit of all players. We strive to teach the value of teamwork, physical fitness, healthy competition and the life skills that come with playing a sport. Anything else is secondary.

2. We hope that you will get involved! The Booster Club's membership comes entirely from West Salem families. We have a variety of projects (from coaching to uniform inventory) that are always in need of volunteers. In addition, your annual membership dues and contributions help purchase valuable equipment for our teams, provide "scholarship" funds for West Salem families in hardship situations who cannot afford playing fees -- and keep the cost of participation at a minimum for all players. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit www.westsalemboosterclub.com.

3. Our Coaches and our Boosters are all volunteers. As such, they devote a tremendous amount of time so that your child can have a positive sporting experience. If you have a problem or issue with a coach, please first consider whether or not your reaction is appropriate in light of the fact that our coaches volunteer their time. If you feel that there are serious issues regarding practice times, fairness and equity on the field, or coaching philosophy/behavior, then please know that this concern will be referred to the Booster Club Board immediately rather than being dealt with by the coach in question and the Board will decide what action, if any, is appropriate.

4. Officials are people too. Please remember that many of the people that are officiating games for your children do so for the love of the sport rather than the very meager stipend they are paid for each game. There will be calls that you disagree with as well as calls that officials simply miss. This is a part of the life of an athlete and complaining loudly from the sidelines does nothing to enhance anyone's enjoyment of the game. You might even go so far as to thank our officials after every game.

5. You are an example to your children. Your kids look to you for guidance and leadership far more than they will a sports coach. With that in mind, please be sure to be encouraging and positive in your interactions with players, coaches, and officials on the field and off. Children today face a world full of negative and angry messages. Try to counteract this by being your child's personal booster!


We would very much like for West Salem teams to be known for their good sportsmanship and outstanding parents as much as for their competitiveness. We appreciate everything you can do to make that happen.

Thanks again for encouraging your child to play sports with the City of Salem!