When Tennessee Soccer Club (TSC) met for its bi-annual membership meeting recently at Embassy Suites in Cool Springs, one thing was glaringly apparent – soccer never sleeps in Williamson County. A non-profit, competitive youth soccer organization with 1,390 boys and girls playing this season from all over Williamson County, TSC anticipates more players next year, in part because of its success.
TSC made history this year after its U18 Girls team won Regionals in Oklahoma, and went on to capture the National Championship. It’s the first team in the state of Tennessee to win a National Championship.
“Starting with our State Cup, going into Regionals, going into Nationals – every game was a challenge,” coach, Ronnie Woodard commented afterwards. The U18 Girls team had competed together for the past four years, and had reached the finals one other time. “I’m incredibly proud of my girls and the effort and focus that they had throughout the entire tournament,” Woodard added. “For them to go out on top as national champions – I’m just at a loss for words.”
2016 Tennessee Soccer Club Highlights
United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) Regionals:
- 7 TSC teams attended with 4 advancing to the quarterfinals
- TSC’S U14 Girls reached the Finals and qualified for Nationals
- U18 Girls won Regionals in Oklahoma
USYSA Nationals:
- U18 Girls were crowned National Champions with win over Carlsbad, CA
- U14 Girls advanced to semi-finals, losing to eventual champions
US Soccer National Team:
- 3 TSC players chosen to compete
- 1 TSC player recently called into the U18 group
United States Soccer, National Training Center:
- 6 TSC players chosen to train at National Training Center in Atlanta or Memphis
Olympic Development Program/ Regional Recognition:
- 9 TSC boys and 7 girls recognized for outstanding play
“People don’t really understand the amount of work that goes into this,” says Stuart Brown, Executive Director of TSC. “It’s nine to 12 months of responsibility that’s constantly evolving and changing. We don’t really have any down time like people think.”
If you are surprised that TSC pays an Executive Director, don’t be. Since the merger between Brentwood Soccer Club and Tennessee Futbol Club that formed TSC in June 2012, the club has evolved into an efficient operation, liken to a small business.
TSC includes a Board of Directors that oversee 120 boys and girls teams ranging in age from U8 to U18, with a 7-figure budget and 12 full-time employees working in dedicated office space located in Franklin. This is organized soccer at its best for those who love soccer.
TSC reached another milestone this year when, on the girl’s side, it was accepted into the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). Currently ECNL has 84 members representing 420 teams nationwide. “It’s some of the best competition in the country,” says Brown. “It’s the club our elite women need to be in to continue to develop,” he added. TSC will begin competing in ECNL beginning in the fall on 2017. TSC hopes to get approval for its boys to compete within ECNL in the future as well.
For an organization to operate at this level, money is key. “One of the things I’m most proud of is our financial support,” adds TSC president, Brian Carlson. “I’m proud of our sponsors and the support they give us.” TSC has nine sponsors representing a variety of industries, including banking, sports apparel and lodging.
A misconception Brown sees in the community is that TSC only focuses on the elite player. “We want to foster love of the sport,” he says. “We have players at different ability levels and with different goals in mind, but they all share a passion for the sport, and enjoy being with their friends,” notes Brown. “Some of them have been on the same team for years and they share a great sense of camaraderie. That’s what we are about,” he adds. “We can only fight this misconception through our actions.”
TSC is gearing up for the fall and winter when it keeps players in the game by offering clinics, indoor leagues and holds its only annual fundraiser, the 24-hour Soccer-A-Thon. As for the future, Brown says, “We are always looking to better ourselves. Club soccer is always evolving.”
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