ConerFlag,
The Bridge structure is different than the CESA structure. As I said earlier, Bridge FA will field teams where numbers and ability allow it. Currently this is considered to be a maximum of 2 teams per age group, per gender. So Bridge FA will have an A & B team, or gold and red, or something to distinguish between the two.
To be a full alliance club member, with a seat on the executive board, and a position on the coaching board, the club agrees to not field challenge (or premier if applicable) teams. Member clubs would then field classic teams, and play PMSL.
I don't really like the connotation of "the old club teams". Many people would probably agree that there are some players on some of the current "challenge" teams, that may be better suited to be playing "classic" soccer. There are many reasons for this, player ability, commitment level, want to play with a "local" team, etc.. PMSL, SCSCL, and the Premier League are all "competitive" soccer leagues. All of these leagues have State, Regional, and National Championships. So not playing on a "challenge" team with Bridge FA, does not keep a player from playing competitive soccer, and striving to represent his/her club at a National Tournament. However, playing on a Bridge FA team will allow for further development because the player will be training and competing with a full squad of players at the same higher level.
The goal of Bridge FA is to unite the top players from the respective clubs with the formation of teams, and provide opportunities for those players to train and compete together.
Presently each club in the area does a good job of training in the recreation and classic areas. However, when each club then tries to field the most competitive teams and play challenge, competing against each other for both players and coaches, you end up with a dispersed talent pool, of both players and coaches. If you have 4 or 5 of the top players from each club, (more if warranted by ability) then you have a more competitive top tier team(s), therefore, you can now truly provide the full service spectrum of player development in the area. Individually soccer clubs strive for player development. Only united will the low country clubs be able to provide full service player development.
Within the present models in the low country, we don't really have a system to fully develop this top tier player. These players then supplement with ODP, or driving long distances to other clubs, and jumping team to team, to fill this void.
Bridge FA is a cooperative attempt to recognize this, and move away from it. Uniting the top players, and coaching staff, will add stability to the soccer landscape in the low country, while increasing the competitiveness of these teams in other regional competitions.
