SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums SCHSSCA A question??

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but here we go. My son has played forever, he just turned 11yr and we were told by a coach that he should go try out for a team in Columbia, well I don't know how to get in touch with the coach to find out info on it. It is some kind of cup team or jr olympic??? I don't know *L* but I guess they practice maybe 1 a month. sorry I don't have more info, but any info you can give me will help. He has been on a rec team forever and he wants to move up and I'm not sure what or where to look.
Thanks

chaser: There are some very good clubs in the Columbia area; here is a list with their web site addresses specified so that you can get contact information:

• CUFC: This is the second largest club in the state and has soccer for all ages and level of competition. In the Columbia area, there is no club that offers more high-level competitive soccer at more age groups and genders than CUFC. The club is located in northeast Columbia with fields in the Irmo area. Web site is www.columbiaunitedfc.com
  
• LCSC: This is one of the largest select (traveling) clubs in the state and is located in Lexington. Some of the best facilities in the state. This club is a bit more loosely structured than CUFC; some teams are wonderful, others aren't quite as competitive. Web site is www.lexingtoncountysoccerclub.org
  
• CRSA: This is a club located in West Columbia. Pretty well known for its focus on coaching and attention to individual kids and for opening up soccer to a lot of kids. The typical team is not as competitive as the top clubs in the state. This is an open club that allows kids not in the club to train with the club. Web site is www.scsoccer.com/crsa
  
• CESA-Columbia: This is a club located in Irmo and affiliated with the large SOAR recreation club. Club seems to be informally associated with the largest club in the state (CESA) -- CESA's heads of coaching are the top officers of the club. Also pretty well known for its focus on coaching and attention to individual kids. Teams are not as competitive as the top clubs in the state. This is an open club that allows kids not in the club to train with the club. Web site is www.cesa-columbia.com
  

Each club has a different culture and operating philosophy.

(Note: I figure if I missed any that someone will come along and let you know about those as well.)

Thank you. See we don't live in Columbia, we live outside Charleston. I think it's the US Youth Soccer,but I'm not sure. Where we live the only team is a rec. and we would have to driven an hour for other and then we ran in to not living in the area. So he really wants to get into a different type of program. I have no clue what to look into so any info with be great. Thanks

Chaser...all that Chico stated is correct and will also offer you the Charleston clubs as your question became more clear. Note for travel level soccer there is no residency requirement, you will be surpised to know that some players travel 1.5 to 2 hrs for training sessions.

Summerville Soccer Club - Recreation and classic level http://www.summervillesoccerclub.com/
Mt Pleasant Soccer club - Rec, classic, challenge level http://www.mpsoccer.com/
James Island Youth Soccer - rec and classic http://www.jiysc.info/
Bridge Alliance - Bridge is the top select club in Charleston Area and has an alliance with both Summerville and James Island to offer the highest level of play as well as the only club in the state that has USSF academy play for U16 and U18 http://www.bridgefa.com/

However your second question leads me to think that someone has suggested the olympic development program of US youth soccer association. This program is available for SC youth soccer association members (http://www.scysa.org) and tryouts for the 95 birth year group were held in December. Although not impossible, recreation level players do not always make it into the program as players in the program have received top coaching early on.

I suggest 2 options:

1- contact Mary Bynum of SCYSA ODP program (http://www.scysa.org/odp_about.shtml)
2- Contact one of the clubs above

Futbol,

You left out Charleston United Soccer Club-rec, classic and challenge http://www.charlestonunitedsoccer.net/

Thank you all for your help.

Chaser,
If your son just turned 11 and was born in 1996, there is going to be 2 more ODP "opportunities" in January. One on the 13th in Charleston and Greenville and one on the 27th in Columbia. Just know that these are not tryouts as there is no 96 team. From what I can gather it is an information/training session. Cost is $30.