Interview with Larry Creson, director of soccer operations by Soccer America Youth Soccer Letter executive editor Dan Woog
Location: Germantown, Tenn. (suburban Memphis).
History: The club was incorporated in 1976 as the City of Germantown’s recreational program. Competitive teams were added in 1978, with any name they wanted. The club decided to go with one name. Storm was chosen by vote, but because it was the same name as the professional indoor team it was changed to Fury. GSC stands for Germantown Soccer Club.
Championships: 38 state champions, 18 regional appearances, 2 regional semifinalists. Most recent (2000) winners: GSC Fury 85, 86 and 87 premier girls.
Most Famous Alumni: More than 100 players have gone on to play college soccer.
Number of Players: 1,100 recreational, 600 competitive.
Number of Teams: 100 recreational, 40 competitive.
Number of Coaches: 20 paid coaches and staff (90 percent currently hold a national license); 90 volunteer recreational coaches.
Cost to Play: $675 per year for U10-U14; $450 per year for U15-U19 (high school soccer limits the season).
Facilities: Eight lighted fields maintained and managed by the City of Germantown; two unlighted fields in Shelby County; all are used for training and recreational games. All competitive league games are played at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.
Club Philosophy: Player development. “We offer every player an opportunity to play soccer at any level. We have recreational soccer, competitive soccer at different levels [premier, classic and club], and we will be bringing in male and female United Soccer League franchises soon. A player could play or train two days a week or seven days a week with all our programs.”
Recruiting Philosophy: “We do not recruit. We put out a quality product. We know we have the best program available, and that attracts the players who need to be here.”
Why Girls Program Is Stronger Than Boys: “The girls program was successful at first simply because the players were in our recreational program and in the area. We made sure to nurture that program, and therefore they have been successful. We have become the club in the area for girls soccer. We have made that same commitment with coaches and programs for the boys in the last few years, and the younger boys are being successful.”
Club’s Greatest Strengths: Full-time office and coaching staff of six people (four coaches with USSF A or B licenses and professional playing experience); recreational program; training facilities; Volvo Germantown Invitational Tournament in December.
Club’s Greatest Challenge: Making soccer affordable for all players; convincing other coaches and clubs to develop players first to strengthen clubs so there are other teams to play in the area (our older girls must travel to get competition); developing recreational soccer in the Memphis area.
Most Recent Club Controversy: Fury elite program (high school girls foregoing high school soccer to continue playing club soccer).
How Club Balances Development And Winning: “Our philosophy is player development first. From U-14 up, the team goal is to win the state cup and go to regionals. The only tournament we emphasize winning at the U-11/U-13 age is the state tournament. Our coaches are paid to develop players, not win games.”
Biggest Rivals: Memphis Futbol Club, West Tennessee FC Dragons.
Sponsors: Umbro, Volvo.
Fundraising: Advertising in our tournament programs; club merchandise store.
Unusual Facts: Club coaching staff includes at least one representative from the three main college programs in the city: University of Memphis, Rhodes College and Christian Brothers University.