I've read with great interest the debate and conversation on this subject. I've tried to make notes and relay my thoughts on this, so please bear with me as this is lengthy.
I too, would like to see more collaboration to form top level teams in the Columbia market to compete at the regional/national level as well as a return for smaller, community clubs to retain the initial purpose for classic league soccer as it was defined perhaps a decade ago -- to offer better training and development of players that could not get that kind of attention at the recreational level.
I believe that CSC has positioned itself as a major player in the future of the state's club soccer structure with the key component -- field control. Now that they have their complex in full swing, they have now been able to concentrate on recruiting and retaining viable coaches that always carry the promise of attracting the top level players. I believe that Eddie Crosby is truly committed to the overall advancement of the Columbia Soccer Club and what it can offer the premier players in the metro area.
I also feel that the first push for these "super teams" should come at the U14 or U15 age group and really not much before that period. I think the other clubs in the capital city (Congaree Rapid, Lexington, NECSA, etc.) could continue as developmental grounds based on community and geo-centric ties. CSC could continue to field challenge/classic level teams as well in those upper age groups to fulfill their duty to their local players that don't make those elite teams. These clubs could also continue to field high school aged teams that wish to play club soccer, but are not quite good enough to play for the elite teams.
From a high school coach's perspective, which I admit forms 90% of my opinion, this is the basic makeup for most of our teams. Only a few selected areas of the state enjoy prep teams made up of several premier league or ODP level players. The majority of the teams are comprised of players that like/love to play the game and are average overall in ability. That's what makes it such a challenge/reward at the high school level, when you're forced to do your very best with the hand that you are dealt! I would encourage capable players to tryout and play for the "regional/premier" teams because that makes my high school component that much stronger. The ones that don't make those teams or have the ability/means to compete at that level would still have the option to play on their local clubs "community based" teams. I do not believe the "B" teams that are formed by many of the larger clubs are as beneficial as those in the local clubs based on my players' experiences that have tried that avenue. For some reason, the "B" level labels those teams and they are often overlooked within that club (coaches, etc.) as the second-rate team in that age group, whereas those players on a local club often become the "bigger fish in smaller pond" and at least have an opportunity to lead and contribute to a team rather than play on a second-fiddle squad.
While I endorse a move for the Columbia area's top players to gravitate towards CSC and the opportunities that they can offer, I also think that we should push for a restructuring of the rest of the classic league soccer populous.
The top-talent teams usually only number 5-8 across the state (rarely are there examples of 10 true statewide level teams in a given age group) and generally are dominated by the super clubs: CSC, GFC, MPSC, NECSA, SGUSC. I believe that 70-80% of the players that make up the rest of classic league soccer should return to regional play (Upper State / Mid-District / Coastal) or at least a refined alternative to PMSL and SCSCL. Many of the "challenge" level teams often just become cannon-fodder for the high powered teams due to overzealous team expectations, club/parental/player prestige, etc. I think that teams should have to qualify for the different levels of play and perhaps limit the number of SCSCL teams to 8, perhaps in a qualifying tourney the first weekend of August each year. Along with the 2 premier teams, you have 10 elite teams in the state. With this number, you easily have a minimum of 14 games simply by playing each member twice and you can always downsize this match number to 8-12 should you wish or pending the number of playing dates. At any rate, the quality of the matches would increase as each match's importance.
This would allow for the majority of the classic level to return to more teams and generally there are 5-10 teams in a given geographical region across the state which makes for easy play within a more appropriate proximity. (I still cannot figure out why 10 year-olds from Charleston should have to play in Greenville for "quality" matches twice on a Saturday). Simply play their regional league schedule and compete in tourneys to augment the schedule -- much like the high school arrangement. Friendlies would also be encouraged amongst the local clubs to supplement the schedule should teams wish. Also, this would allow for the return of true regional tourneys (i.e. Mid-District Tournament) which always gave teams a purpose and reward for their efforts and brought closure to the fall season.
I would also like to see more alignment of the high schools pertaining to the local clubs and their affiliations. I have long admired youth baseball's "American Legion" system, in which certain schools only played with certain American Legion sponsored Post teams. This fosters community spirit and gives a solid pool of players in terms of numbers and often in ability to form very competitive teams. This could be accomplished in this arrangement based on a Columbia area model of schools with fairly close attendance similarities:
Lexington Soccer Club -- Batesburg-Leesville (2A), Gilbert (2A), Lexington (4A), White Knoll (4A)
Congaree Rapid Soccer Association -- Airport (3A- in '04), Brookland-Cayce (3A), Dreher (3A), A.C. Flora (3A), Swansea (2A)
Columbia Soccer Club -- Chapin (2A), Columbia High (2A), Dutch Fork (4A), Irmo (4A), Ballentine/White Rock will open soon
NECSA - Richland Northeast (4A), Ridge View (4A), Spring Valley (4A), Blythewood will open soon
As I stated earlier, these are simply some thoughts, but I have given much thought to several of the posts that have been made on this board concerning this subject. Regardless of opinion on my take, it will take the sincere shedding of egos to make any of the aforementioned work or any semblance of reader-revisions come to fruition.
Kevin Heise
Boys Soccer Coach, Brookland-Cayce High School
Director of Coaches, Congaree Rapid Soccer Association
