Letter to Board of Commissioners from Soccer Club (2)

Springfield Soccer Club

April 30, 2011

Springfield Township
Board of Commissioners
1510 Paper Mill Rd
Wyndmoor, PA 19038

RE: Springfield Soccer Club 2011 Goals

Dear Board:

Like many other clubs in the township, Springfield Soccer Club (SSC) has sought after a field of their own with lights. We are aware that this request is very difficult in the township due to the minimal open space areas available and due to the current permitted uses by many leagues/progams on the township parks.

The SSC has grown in popularity over the years as has the sport in general. We have found with the shortage of fields and lights, especially the 8 v 8 fields, it is getting increasingly more difficult to remain competitive within the soccer community and school district, and to keep our better players from transferring to other teams because there is "more to offer." It has always been the mission of the Springfield Soccer Club to provide our players with the best coaches, best instruction, and all the while teaching the kids the importance of good sportsmanship, being of good character, and being a good teammate. More importantly, our main goal is to be a feeder program for the school district and to give the kids and the school a chance to succeed.

Soccer is a fall sport and generally ends in the mid winter months. The Junior league tends to resume in the springtime if the winter weather is inclement. Typically by mid October when the soccer season is in full gear, SSC can no longer conduct practices for the remainder of the season (6-8 weeks) because of no fields with lights and the lack of daylight. This is a devastating blow to the program every year and we receive many complaints from the families. There are no indoor facilities in the township that can accommodate the number of SSC teams. There are some teams who practice with other clubs at their fields. This is where we start to lose our players to other teams in the "Off Season." We estimate that over the past decade, we lost over 100 players to other teams.

In an effort to keep the better players with SSC and to remain competitive in the league, we would like to formally request two items for the board's consideration....

1. Install lights at Hillcrest Park Lower Field
   1. SSC feels this would be a great benefit for both the soccer club and the "Entire Community."
   2. Lighting the entire Lower Field Area will allows for the Fall sports like SSC soccer, St Genevieve's football, etc to practice late into the Fall/Winter seasons and remain competitive during the second half of the season.
   3. Lighting allows the township more available time to schedule programs, events, permit field uses, provide "Concerts at Cisco", evening softball, lacrosse, etc.
   4. The field is currently surrounded by a school, pond, bus depot, businesses, and some residential. The field currently has some form of lighting and on occasion, portable lighting generators have been used. We feel installing permanent pole mounted lighting fixtures will be a benefit for the township and community for many years.
   5. There are many site lighting design technologies that can minimize light pollution so not to disturb the neighbors, and higher efficiency lighting fixtures and controls to minimize energy useage.

We feel this request not only helps the future of the Springfield Soccer Club, but also is a great asset to the community and other township organizations.

2. Springfield Soccer Club needs a second 8 v 8 field for several reasons
   1. The number of lads participating in the younger age groups (Boys/Girls: U8, U9, U10) are growing every year. One field for 6 to 8 teams to practice and play games on is difficult.
   2. Starting in Fall 201 1, The International Soccer Federation which is the ruling authority on soccer and sets the rules and guidelines for which the world is to follow just made a historic change to the rules! All Boys/Girls U11 and U12 teams are now to play 8 v 8 and NOT on a full 11 v 11 field. This would mean an additional 4 teams on one 8 v 8 field for a minimal total of 10 teams on one field. This is a huge problem in this township and to SSC.
   3. The single field will experience excessive wear and tear.
   4. An 8 v 8 team can only roster a maximum of 14 players per team. A 11 v 11 team can roster a maximum of 18 players. With less players allowed to be placed on a roster on one team may require additional teams for the number of players registered.
   5. The second 8 v 8 field will allow younger SSC teams to participate in the Spring Soccer League and/or Cups. Currently we do not have a field available in the Spring for the younger teams to participate. Any team who wants to participate in the Spring League or play in the Cups will have to play all AWAY games. They currently practice at the larger Laurel Beech Park field. Playing away all the time puts SSC at a disadvantage for the kids.

The Springfield soccer Club is extremely grateful to the Springfield Township and Charlie Carabba for all the hard work, support, and effort to keep our program running. We hope the board considers these requests and would be happy to participate in any future planning discussions.

Respectfully submitted,
Steven G. Griet
Springfield Soccer Club Vice President