Why do many of the top low country players go all the way to Greenville to play for CESA? CESA has (for the most part) secured all of the top players in the upstate and surrounding area. They have done an excellent job of cornering the market – so to speak. Their talons have extended to the Charleston area as well; several low country players have been heavily and successfully recruited to play for CESA. Other than greener pastures, they are lured there as they (or their parents) feel that having 11 solid players who are committed is more appealing and worth the thousands of miles they will drive to play on that kind of team. CESA has attained a strong regional and even national presence. This is due – in part – to the unity that has been created through their merging St. Giles and GFC several years ago. The low country does not have this and it shows in many or most of our area teams. On most teams there are 5-7 serious players with the required aptitude and commitment to compete at the highest level. The remainder of the team is usually spotty at best. Coaches need to field a team and there you go – several medium to mediocre teams that cannot compete with the CESA or regional teams.
The issue of a Charleston areas wide soccer club is one that has been hashed many times before. What came of it several years ago was Bridge FA. The concept was not flawed - only the resulting lone leadership coupled with a continuously disheartened group of players and parents has been the biggest result of this experiment. Bridge has had successes, but not the kind that they had the potential to accomplish. Bridge was/is viewed by most as being exclusive and closed. The politics, egos and $$ are the forces which divide. The low country needs unity with an apolitical leadership that can be a proper leader for youth soccer in the area.
The Charleston Battery is a perfect way to make this a reality. There are so many aspects that are appealing. Most importantly it is a vehicle for unifying the area and developing players. The system could resemble that of European clubs or even American ones.
How does this appeal to the Battery – what’s in it for them? First, it serves to solidify its fan base. If the low country clubs would put aside their egos and unify under one flag the Battery could be all that is soccer in the area. Every kid in the Charleston/low country could be wearing a Battery uniform (to one degree or another) and will more closely support and follow our professional team. Second, it will enable the Battery to secure further and additional sponsorship through a wider and stronger fan base – it will give them a higher profile locally, regionally and even nationally. The owners have been very successful at getting a spotlight on the stadium and thus the team. (Think: US Woman National team v Canada, 6 Nations Rugby…) Having a Junior Academy dedicated to developing players would further add to the Battery’s marketability. Third, it has the potential to develop players for its own use – moving up through the ranks to become a Battery player. They could also be a marketing agent for players they develop. Fourth, the Battery is a leader in many areas. (Think: Green Stadium and the great example they set for their concerns on the environment. Yes, that was one of the owners’ Tesla on the concourse last Saturday night.) The Charleston Battery can and should be the leader in Charleston area wide youth soccer.
What is needed to help make this happen is a focus on the player. Each club considers its area and players a fiefdom. The egos that control (and derive a living from) these fiefdoms are not too interested in unifying as they fear this could place them lower in the pecking order or possibly out in the cold. Unity and leadership is what is needed.
