[Link, Fort Mill Times, Thursday, May 19, 2005]

New soccer club starting in Tega Cay

By Mac Banks Fort Mill Times
(Published May 19, 2005)

TEGA CAY -- A new soccer club is developing in Tega Cay to add to the growing sport.
The Tega Cay Soccer Club, a challenge soccer program, is being offered by the Tega Cay Parks and Recreation.

The program is a step up from the recreational level and will offered to players aged 11-18.

"We are bringing into the community two different levels of soccer," said Charlie Funderburk, director of Tega Cay Parks and Recreation.

Funderburk said he is trying to give players an opportunity to stay and play for local club teams, instead of going to Charlotte.

Jim Finnerty, Fort Mill High's girls soccer coach, will be the director of coaching for the organization. Finnerty helped guide the girls team to a 26-2 record this season and an appearance in the state championship game last week.

Finnerty has been an assistant coach at the college level and has worked with youth soccer players for 10 years. He is a USSF D licensed coach, and also has his NSCAA advance regional license.

Finnerty has played at the professional level. He is a two-time All-American, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in West Seneca, his home town, and at Fredonia State where he played college soccer. During his two years at Fredonia, the team was 35-6-1, ranked number one in the nation for 24 weeks.

Finnerty said he would like an eight-team league to start with and eventually have around 14 teams.

Finnerty said he hopes the success of Fort Mill High's soccer program will help promote the new league.

"If the program gets going, that type of reputation will help out," he said.

Finnerty said he already has five coaches committed to helping in the league and he has another 13 interested.

The season would run August through November and February through May.