Interview with Kelvin Jones, director of coaching
ò Location: Tampa, Fla.
ò History: Founded in 1975 by former Tampa Bay Rowdie Alex Pringle and Bill Burton. Traditionally, one good team “carried the flag.” When Kelvin Jones arrived six years ago, club aimed to build one competitive team in each age group.
ò Origin of club name: Founders were Scottish. The Black Watch was the first kilted regiment in the British Army.
ò National championship: In 1985, Black Watch Heather U-16 girls became first Florida team to win a national title (Masotto Cup).
ò Most famous player: Bryce Wegerle (son of former NASL star Steve Wegerle and nephew of former U.S. international Roy Wegerle), 2000-01 Gatorade State Player of the Year.
ò Number of teams: 17 (10 boys, 7 girls), ages U-9 through U-19.
ò Number of players: 230.
ò Number of coaches: 12.
ò Coaching salaries: Jones is only full-time paid coach. Some are volunteers, others earn $3,000-$5,000 per year.
ò Cost to play: $350 registration fee; additional travel and training fees.
ò Facilities: Lease nine acres from Pepsi for $1 per year; club maintains facilities at annual cost of approximately $30,000.
ò Club philosophy: “If we strive for excellence, success will come.”
ò Recruiting philosophy: “We recruit coaches, not players. Great coaches make the players in the club better and draw other good players in.”
ò Club’s biggest strengths: Excellent coaching staff, including former Rowdies Steve Wegerle and Alan Anderson. “We work hard. We don’t have the best ODP players. Our kids are out there every day, training intensely. It’s not just about playing matches.”
ò Club’s greatest challenge: “We’ve done great at the state level. Now we want to take the club to the national stage.”
ò Club’s most recent issues: Raising registration fees to $450; structuring U-9, U-11 programs. “That’s been hit or miss for us in the past.”
ò Why no recreational program: “It’s always been our philosophy to focus on one or two teams. It makes us special.”
ò Soccer in Florida: “Tremendous. But we battle each other so much, on the field and for players, that when we go out of state, we struggle because we meet all-star teams. In Tampa alone there are five good clubs in a 10-mile radius.”
ò Biggest rival: Clearwater Chargers. “They’re a great club, always a measuring stick for us.”
ò Sponsor: Gatorade.
ò Unusual fact: Club Web site features Scottish music.
ò Contact: Black Watch Soccer Club, PO Box 82143, Tampa, FL 33682; e-mail: hjones7667@ aol.com; Web site: www.blackwatchsoccer.com.