Ahhh, a topic I find revelling!!!
Finally a move in "perhaps" the right direction. However, I stress the importance of finding someone "outside the box" of the local club scene, especially with the two major factors (NECSA and CSC) in boys soccer and CFC for girls.
My son came along at the time there was the Midlands Association and since then has evolved into a number of organizations.
A full-time director sounds like an excellent idea and I hope that individual is as qualified off-the-field as he/she is on-the-field! It takes more than coaching to run a successful club and the abilities to delegate, organize, and relate to ALL parties is essential. I don't know if any of the candidates I've heard about fit that criteria.
But, I for one would love to see a "meshing" of the top talent in Columbia form this Association and that other "area" clubs still exist to serve as a feeder system and an outlet for those not interested in a conglomerate approach.
One more thing I would like to see addressed is a "joint council" of an organization like what has been proposed that would include representatives of local clubs to keep them involved and to hear their independent needs and interests. After all, if you're subtracting players from their talent pool, shouldn't the larger club be responsible for aiding these smaller organizations and helping them develop more players for the future?
Hammer is correct in the demands of a "soccer park". Whoever controls the land will control the landscape of Midlands area soccer. Right now, that leans to NECSA and CSC, but a central location is needed and those that have to go from Lake Murray to Blythewood are talking about a 1 1/2 hour drive and vice versa. Does anyone have an "in" as to where land can be purchased, leased, deeded, etc.?
Time is ticking, Columbia!!!
