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[Preface: This is getting long; I'm going to break this down into several posts.]

>>[Beezer] There are exceptions and most of those are from such large populations with alot of players to choose.<<

Actually, Raleigh and Oklahoma City are relatively small metropolitan areas; that's what makes them exceptions. What's interesting is what we can learn from the exceptions.

>>As far as driving 1.5 hours, one-way three times a week? That's not alot considering what's going on around the country. It's the norm and there are alot of players doing at least that to get what they need. There is sacrifice involved.<<

As someone who has a daughter who has for the last few years made a 3+ hour round-trip 3-4 times per week, I think that you are glossing over just how few kids in South Carolina are willing to make this type of sacrifice.

I think that your scheme will fail if for no other reason than there are not enough players in South Carolina willing to make this type of commitment. I wish I were wrong about this.

Let's take a current example. If you look at the numbers, whether it be state championships, RIIIPL-East records, region pool players, various players of the year, etc. then it's been obvious for a long time that if you're an ambitious female player you need to be playing in the upstate. Yet the actual number of women deciding to play in the upstate is relatively small. Why? Two reasons: social soccer [I want to play with my friends] and the desire not to commute to train and play.

How will a DOC summit cause more players to be willing to drive 3+ hours several times a week for the best possible training and playing opportunities?

>>I agree with better development at younger ages, however, there is always a time when the best can go with the other best to make things the highest level possible. Whether you have 50, 500 or 5,000 players, there is always the top 18-24 that can push each other to the next level. And that needs to start young.<<

I couldn't agree more with the sentiment that you are expressing. I just don't believe that there exists 18-24 players in each gender and age bracket that are willing to travel 3+ hours several times per week for training and then travel out of state to get competition by playing out of state teams from Raleigh, Atlanta, etc.