Any programs that help put our girls up front..I feel is a good thing..The ODP system has left something to be desired and not to many clubs offer programs just for girls outside of CESA's CAP program..Most programs are built around boys first and girls later..Just like the USSF academy..Not to say anyone is doing a poor job with girls..I just feel it has not been enough..

Not meant to be adversarial. I know you have advocated for girls programs for quite some time.

Not enough, or not enough in my backyard and Columbia is closer to Charleston than Greenville?

As you've pointed out several times it's always been a numbers game, which is probably why the one girls program/club that was in the Charleston area went away.

Not enough..Period..Compared to boys..Girls have received the short end of the stick..

Bear,

Any reason why anyone in SC shouldn't expect to have a satisfying girls' program available without having to make the drive from Charleston to Greenville (or similar distances) to do it? How many girls would that exclude just due to logistical difficulties alone? "In your backyard" sounds a bit petty, but if the "backyard" is considered to be at least your own half of the state, it doesn't sound so unreasonable.

I'm sure CHT wasn't trying to take away anything from the Greenville folks and neither am I, but if driving clear across the state to practices is the foremost answer to the problem, then I'd say that qualifies as "not enough" being done for girls' soccer in SC.

Please reread the opening of that post, I really meant that.

As for back yard, it was meant to be representative, nothing more. I understand how that could sound petty, but it really wasn't meant to be. So, pick a different reference. It doesn't change the fact that many people in the lowcountry want both very competitive teams, and convenience. The two don't always agree.

There is no reason that the expectations of a girls program should be any different. And yes driving across the state logistically cannot be accomplished by many.

Now there's something to change that, and lessen the drive, however, I think it too comes at a price for the girls in the lowcountry. Only time will tell.

Sorry, Bear, I didn't mean to say YOU were being petty...just that wanting to have something "in your backyard" sounds like someone asking for that is, until you realize just how many square miles the backyard really covers. That wasn't meant as a barb toward you, and I apologize if it sounded that way.

I still think, if we develop all of our resources as fully as possible, there is room for more than one competitive team in the state; maybe there is more that can be done to grow the overall talent pool in the state.

Curious...what price do you envision for the girls in the lowcountry? Just trying to get as many perspectives as possible.

Check your pm.

Most of my experience has been with women's recruiting and I have to wonder if there are differences with the men's recruting approaches versus the women in the super leagues. For our Arsenal teams we often had recruiters from all levels at many matches (we always played against Atlanta area teams so that helped). Different level recruiters came to different matches, especially tourneys. However, all seemed to choose certain specific matches and the D2's were always more direct and agressive than the D1's (because of rules I suspect). Two years ago, we sent one of our seniors to D1 play and one to D2. Three others had offers but did not want to play in college (they were certainly good enough). Last year, of our seniors, we sent seven girls to play in college, three to D1, two to D2, one to D3, and 2 to NAIA. That said, almost each of these girls were approached in different ways for their recruiting. Some preferred D2 over D1, some NAIA over NCAA.
I must admit that I am worried that the very high level soccer for women in SC is being primarily pushed to supply mainly D1 players. Very good, some would argue even better, soccer is played at D2 levels. Very often D2 schools offer full scholarships while D1's probably average from 25% to 45% if any at all. I know of girls who turned down 100% scholarships at large prominent D2's because they wanted to attend a certain D1 and either not play, or play for reduced or no scholarhips. Conversely, I know of girls with D1 offers who wanted to only go to D2 schools, and accepted D2 offers. Are the super teams for men geared towards D1 play only? How many male players at this level seek D2, or D3, play? Is this what is planned for the women as well? This OK but it really needs to be said that this is the purpose. Will a parent pay for this level of play and the travel costs if their extremely good player wants to attend a smaller school? I support the super teams but, for girls especially, will the concept exist that you must play for these teams to play D1 only?

Not a lot of D3 women's college soccer recruiting going on in South Carolina.

Agreed, but there were South Carolina girls playing for Georgia clubs scouted and recruited by D3's (admittedly rare). Until we had those girls approached, I did not know much about D3's and still don't. It is interesting to look at the different NCAA rules between the divisions.

A girl going D1 for a low end scholarship, "25% to 45%", still gets the break on instate vice out of state tution as well right? This might make a D1 affordable if it is an out of state school.