As many of you are already aware, Coastal Soccer Club has been exploring an affiliation with Seacoast United Soccer Club. The two clubs are close to reaching an agreement and anticipate making an official announcement on May 15. As of July 1, 2008 Coastal will become known as Seacoast United Maine.
Background
Seacoast started in 1992 with two teams and two coaches www.seacoastunited.org It has grown to a club of over 800 players, an indoor facility in Hampton, NH and an outdoor complex in Epping, NH. Seacoast has over 12 full-time professional management and staff and partnerships with major companies (Ocean Properties, TDBanknorth and Nike as well as others). They have grown their club with a proven plan and now they want to help our club grow and provide better training opportunities to develop all levels of Maine players.
Coastal is the largest soccer club in Maine with almost 400 players, a volunteer board of directors, and three part-time staff. A merger will result in a club of 1,200 players and will provide Coastal players with opportunities for competition through tournaments and Nike sponsored events. As importantly, a merger will provide Coastal with the depth and consistency of Seacoast’s management and administrative capabilities. Seacoast United founder Paul Willis will serve as Executive Director of both the NH and ME operations.
Benefits to Coastal teams/players
· Access to Seacoast facilities and tournaments.
· Participation in Nike sponsorship. Seacoast is one of only 40 Nike Premier clubs in the country and receives significant support in the form of clothing and equipment for coaches, and through its retailer, wegotsoccer (www.wegotsoccer.com), various discounts on team apparel for players.
· Competitive opportunities ranging from Classic to Premier to Academy League. Seacoast United NH and Coastal (Seacoast United Maine) will maintain separate coaches and teams in each age group and will indeed compete with each other as well as other clubs throughout the region. However, Coastal players will now be eligible to be considered for the US Soccer Development Academy League teams that will draw from the entire combined Seacoast United region of NH, ME and northern MA. http://www.ussoccer.com/teams/acad/index.jsp.html
· Improved training and education for coaches. Coaches from ME and NH will be able to attend clinics and workshops and share best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
· Will the ME and NH teams be combined? No. Separate teams and coaches will be maintained in each state and will indeed compete with each other.
· Will the affiliation result in higher fees? Fees will be structured somewhat differently because of the inclusion of uniforms, training gear, and equipment, but will remain in the same range they have been-based on the revenues and expenses generated by ME and subject to approval by the ME board of directors.
· Will Coastal players train in NH? No. Coastal players will train with the same coaches and at the same venues in ME as they have historically. The only exception will be for ME players who choose to try out for and are selected for US Soccer Academy League teams.
· Will the Coastal uniforms change? Yes. A new Seacoast United Maine uniform, training apparel, ball, etc. will be a part of the player package and will be included as part of the participation fee.
· Will Seacoast United Maine have staff in ME? Yes. Jim Wade is positioned to become a full-time staff person in ME. Further opportunities are expected as the Club develops.
· What will the organizational structure be? Seacoast United Maine will be an affiliate of Seacoast United USA and will remain a Maine non-profit corporation with our own Board of Directors
You will hear more about this affiliation and its benefits in the coming days, but please feel free to ask your team administrator if you have any questions in the meantime.
Sincerely,
Coastal Soccer Club Board of Directors
