Big Daddy: I think you're correct that the 50% rule doesn't have a big short-term impact. It seems defined simply to keep clubs in one district from expanding to another district. I personally think it's a bad rule, but at least it's clearly drawn.
The partnership decision appears to be much broader in scope. The ruling doesn't say anything about districts; what it says specifically is
*SCYSA does not recognize the “partnership” between any SCYSA clubs. Each and every SCYSA club is an organization member of SCYSA and responsible for its own individual members and their own actions, as noted in SCYSA Bylaws 211, 212 and 231.
*All SCYSA clubs, including CESA, will immediately cease the advertising or promoting of a “partnership” with any other SCYSA clubs.
Please note the term "any" and the term "all." Also note that the SCYSA specifically says "All SCYSA clubs, including CESA", i.e., the ruling is for all SCYSA clubs, and CESA is specified only because NECSA's complaint singled out CESA.
You can go register all the SCYSA clubs you want, but they can't be in a partnership of any form with any other club with regard to SCYSA registered entities [e.g., teams, tournaments, etc.]
Here's the text describing the club structure of Bridge FA from the Bridge FA web site -- the club is clearly defined as a partnership (or alliance, or coalition, or whatever -- the bottom line is that what makes Bridge so innovative is what the SCYSA seems to be outlawing -- it's a cooperative venture among multiple independently registered clubs):
Club Structure
Bridge FA represents an alliance between area soccer clubs which will provide opportunities for the top tier (challenge-level) players at each alliance member club to train and compete together.
Because the motivation for the club itself stems from a desire to "include" everyone in the area, an invitation was extended to all local clubs to join the Bridge FA Alliance. One of the founding principles of the alliance is that member clubs will not offer Challenge or higher-level teams at their respective clubs and instead will serve as a feeder program for the BRIDGE FA which will begin training and competition for players in the U-13 age group for both boys and girls. This will allow players at the younger age groups to continue to have the opportunity to develop and train at their local club without having to travel outside of their community. Then, as competition and development requirements become more demanding at the older ages, that is when these players will unite under BRIDGE FA.
The alliance was formally created when the executive boards of SSC and JIYSC agreed to move forward. An open invitation has been extended to the other clubs in the area, but all players are always welcome to tryout for a chance to play for BRIDGE FA - regardless of former club or city of residence. It is only together, that any of us can hope to compete at the highest levels.
Summerville Soccer Club and James Island Youth Soccer joined the Bridge Futbol Alliance after recognizing that there was a group of players that could not be fully developed within the current structure. SSC and JIYSC are very proud of our ability to develop players from recreation, through classic, and into challenge play. However, there is a level of play and development, that can only be reached by players routinely training and playing with the best players in the area. Bridge FA, provides an avenue for these players to continue their personal development. Further, Bridge FA, allows SSC and JIYSC to independently operate and service a community based soccer program for the Summerville area and James Island. The combined clubs and Bridge FA working cooperatively can now provide the most comprehensive soccer development for players from the Summerville and James Island area. Both are proud to be a charter member of the Bridge Futbol Alliance
