I'm new to this forum. Interesting conversation. Thought I'd share a couple of thoughts.

1. With respect to real estate/fields. About 18 months ago, when the "Green Diamond" idea was still in play, a few of us met with Mayor Bob to see if we could get the folks from the beach to carve-out some of the Green Diamond land for soccer fields. Bob thought it would be possible, given the developer's desire for good PR. Of course, the project is going nowhere, so neither is the field idea.

It is my understanding that SCYSA would like to build a centrally located facility. I think they have some funds set aside for this. However, finding the right site and raising the additional funds has been a problem.

2. Consolidation. I understand that many people firmly believe consolidation would be best for the players (rasing the level of play, etc.). I believe a similar number of people are firmly against consolidation.

A couple of years ago, when the NECSA board considered a proposed merger with Carolina FC, we polled the families of our girls teams (since they would be the people most effected by the decision). The returned questionaires were split almost evenly for and against. The board was also split on the decision. In the end, we decided not to merge.

Personally, I think the CONCEPT of a merger is great. However, we always tend to get bogged-down in the details. A significant number of people do not want to haul their kids to Ballentine or to the Northeast, etc. For many families, the added stress of the extra driving outweighs the perceived benefits.

Also, I'm not convinced that multiple clubs is a significant barrier to the formation of higher-level teams. The players who are really, really serious will migrate to the best teams, regardless of the club. I know we have girls who commute to Greenville. In my years with NECSA, I have seen many kids who started with the CSC club come over to play on a NECSA team and many kids who started with NECSA go over to play at CSC or Congaree or whereever. Example--The Storm from two years ago had players from NECSA, CSC, Congaree, Sumter, Aiken and Florence. Over the years, those boys were coached by Dennis Cook and by Tripp Miller. They won their age group in the Fall of 2001 Challenge Cup.

If a club builds the more competative team--if the players value that experience over the added driving time, etc, they will come.

I'm looking forward to future messages and replies.