Interview with Ken Farrell, director of coaching, by Soccer America Youth Soccer Letter executive editor Dan Woog

Location: Suburban New Orleans.

History: Started in 1972 as a parks and recreation program; nine years ago the premier program was organized by Mike Jeffries and built from the ground up.

Major accomplishments: National U-16 boys finalist; USYSA Region III U-19 boys finalist.

Most famous players: Stephen Pate (Duke), Roberto Najarro (University of Alabama-Birmingham), Christian Baldwin (Clemson), Curtis Bush (Virginia).

Number of players: 2,000 (280 competitive, the rest recreational).

Number of competitive teams: 15, U-11 through U-18 (boys: Gamblers; girls: Sting).

Number of paid coaches: 12.

Cost to play: Competitive, $650/year excluding travel; recreational, $65/season.

Facilities: Cooperative agreements with city and suburbs; currently building four lighted fields.

Club philosophy: “We emphasize the development of the individual player, within the group and team setting. We want players to take the lessons of the club into other areas of life.”

Recruiting philosophy: “My challenge is to make our club so attractive that players want to come to us.”

Biggest strengths: “The stability we provide through coaching; our quality staff and assertive board, which stays on the cutting edge of U.S. soccer.”

Greatest challenge: “Managing the club despite our rapid growth, and providing continual vision to keep up with the rest of the country.”

Most recent controversy: “Battles at the board level to forget the old ways of doing things and move forward.”

Soccer in Louisiana: “It’s growing rapidly in numbers, but there are not enough quality coaches. Sam Snow, our state director of coaching, is doing a great job promoting the game and providing education.”

Lafreniere’s place in the national scene: “The rest of the region used to laugh at ‘Loserana’ teams. Now we compete in places like San Diego. But we need consistency and patience in order to attain excellence.”

Biggest rivals: “The best teams in the country.”

Sponsors: National Hibernia Bank; Gheens Foundation.

Fundraising: Premier and recreational tournaments.

Farm system: 1,000 U-10 players, with their own director of coaching.

Interesting fact: Name comes from Lafreniere Park, one of the facilities used by club.