Soccer Symposium Task Force Report

Browse Search

Attachment B Subcommittee on Economic Development: Models of Public/Private Partnerships in Soccer and Estimates of the Sport's Economic Development Impact The Soccer Symposium Task Force Subcommittee on Economic Development was charged with examining how other areas had capitalized on the growth of soccer to secure economic benefits for the local community and specifically how those areas had developed soccer complexes for tournament play. Over the past two decades, soccer has been the fastest growing sport in America. The pattern holds in North Carolina, and particularly for girls. According to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, in 1986, 50 schools had women's soccer; in 1999, 234 schools had women's soccer teams. In most localities, responsibility for the development of soccer programming, playing fields, and soccer complexes has been given to a non-profit soccer association. These associations have been able to secure land through below-market land leases or outright gifts. In Fayetteville, for example, the local soccer association has a long-term land lease from Methodist College. The association then pursued private funds to build multiple fields on the land. Greensboro Youth Soccer Association Soccer in Greensboro began in the early 1970s with about 350 payers. In 1978, the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department dropped its sponsorship and the Greensboro Youth Soccer Association (GYSA) was formed as a non-profit group. GYSA helped develop, in addition to the recreation teams, challenge teams which play teams from neighboring cities, and classic teams which travel throughout the state. The Association held its first soccer tournament in 1980, with a net loss of income. By the second tournament, 144 teams participated from 17 states, and the GYSA had a net profit of $7,500 and the association began a program of fund raising for a field complex. In 1983, Joseph Bryan donated money for the expansion of Bryan Park and the City of Greensboro agreed to lease GYSA land for fields if the association paid for development of the land. Private individuals and corporations were asked to donate funds. Those donating enough money to pay for the development of one complete field got that field named in their honor. As of 1999, 11 fields had been built. The GYSA also raised enough money to build a concession stand, a restroom, and to pave the parking lot at the GYSA Soccer Complex at Bryan Park. Capital Area Soccer League In Raleigh, the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) dominates the sport. CASL began in 1974. According to its statistics, the number of players doubled in the last decade to more than 12,000. Players start at age 5— including 15 percent of all Wake school children — and include adults. The league owns or controls 60 fields, uses 40 Wake public school fields, and is building or designing 25 more. In the fiscal year ending in July 1998, CASL reported revenue of $1.6 million and assets totaling $3.2 million. The fields managed and maintained by CASL include the WRAL Soccer Center, one of the largest soccer complexes in the country, with 25 Bermuda grass soccer fields in a 118-acre complex. As suggested by the name, the land was donated (to the City of Raleigh) by Capital Broadcasting. The complex includes three lighted fields, parking for 1,250 and seating for 3,000.