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South Coast Soccer City Press Releases
December 22, 2009
Soccer players getting kick out of Torrance's new indoor facility
By Nick Green Staff Writer The Daily Breeze
Posted: 12/17/2009 06:15:18 PM PST
The pulsating bass line of the Silversun Pickups' hit "Lazy Eye" seemed to mark the rhythm of dribbling soccer players as they shimmied across the blue fields of Torrance's South Coast Soccer City.
This is soccer with a rock 'n' roll kick.
Touted as Southern California's first state-of-the-art facility for futsal, as indoor soccer is known, the Maple Avenue venue has just opened its doors to the delight of South Bay soccer players.
"I was in awe," said Redondo Beach resident Shelly Marsden, who coaches an under-14 girls team for the South Bay Force soccer club. "This is going to have an amazing impact on the youth of this area."
As Marsden spoke, dozens of soccer players in a variety of age groups scrambled across some of the seven fields at the former shipping facility against the booming backbeat of rock music from the sound system.
Built at a cost of more than $800,000, South Coast Soccer City is the brainchild of long-time soccer fans Paul Higgins, a Palos Verdes Estates resident and construction company owner, and Kevin Gilmore, who lives in Manhattan Beach.
"Everyone says it's about time somebody did this," Higgins said. "It's every soccer guy's dream to do this - we've pulled it off, that's the difference."
The men hope the Torrance facility is the first of a series they intend to open across the state.
The soccer venue was made possible in part by the downturn in the commercial real estate market, which made the landlords of the former 73,000-square-foot warehouse more amenable to alternative uses.
It also didn't hurt that Gilmore is a former executive with Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns Carson's Home Depot Center and one of the two Major League Soccer teams that plays there, the Los Angeles Galaxy.
It was Gilmore who was instrumental in bringing in Cobi Jones, the long-time former star of the team, as a hands-on investor. Jones will also conduct clinics.
But most importantly, Higgins and Gilmore saw a need in a traditional soccer hotbed for a facility that will take the strain off overused outdoor fields.
The tight confines of the relatively small indoor fields also are conducive to teaching ball-control skills that will benefit young players when they play outdoors.
Futsal is a five-a-side game played on a shock-absorbing surface with a softer ball than outdoor soccer. It's a faster, shorter game than the outdoor version with more scoring that demands players develop their ball-control skills.
"It's really quick and it's helping our players to quicken their touches and be more effective in their moves," said 13-year-old Shannon Simon of Torrance, the captain of Marsden's team.
All AYSO teams in the South Bay are being offered free use of a field for one hour this month as the facility gradually cranks up operations.
A variety of different-size fields means South Coast Soccer City will offer programs aimed at age groups from toddlers and their moms to adults seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The first eight-week-long leagues are scheduled to begin in January.
Prices per person on 10- to 12-player squads range from $50 to $75 for the season.
nick.green@dailybreeze.com
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November 18, 2009
American Soccer Icon Cobi Jones Joins Soccer City as an Owner and Advisor
Torrance Facility Set to Open in December
Torrance, California (November 18, 2009). US Soccer Icon and Los Angeles sports legend Cobi Jones has joined South Coast Soccer City as an owner, active advisor and promoter of Soccer City and its facilities, it was announced today by Kevin Gilmore, Socal Soccer City Holdings LLC’s President, and Paul Higgins, President of South Coast Soccer City, LLC (SCSC).
“Cobi brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and passion, not only to the game itself, but also how it relates to the Southern California youth players as they develop into future generations of professional players.” Higgins went on to say, “His passion for the game is unparalleled and his excitement for our concept was evident the first time we walked him through the building and described our plans. Cobi made it clear from the start that he had no interest in being a passive investor – he wanted to be actively involved in not only this first location, but also the growth of Soccer City in California and beyond.”
Jones, a veteran of Major League Soccer who played 12 seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy (1996-2007) and is a three-time World Cup player for the US Men’s National Soccer Team with 164 appearances, will be involved in developing the programming and curriculum for youth programs. In addition, Jones, arguably one of the best American soccer players of all time, will host camps and clinics at the South Coast Soccer City facility, which is dedicated to the five-aside, skill infused soccer game known as Futsal.
“Small-sided soccer, or Futsal, is at the very core of the high skill level demonstrated by South American players and is critical in the development of young players from that continent, especially in Brazil,” said Higgins. “Soccer City will not only help address the lack of fields and playing opportunities for players of all ages in the region, but will help redefine the way young players develop their soccer skills by introducing them to a version of the game that emphasizes creativity, skills and ball control.”
“Futsal allows young players to learn soccer skills that include finesse, creativity, ball control, and so much more; all elements of the game that would greatly impact their success in the outdoor game,” said Jones, who currently serves as an assistant coach with the Galaxy. “I strongly believe that developing a network of facilities that promote small five-a-side soccer will revolutionize the way young soccer players develop in the US.”
Soccer City will open at a time when youth teams, and players of all ages in Southern California are seeing diminishing field availability and are faced with fewer playing and training opportunities. At the same time, youth soccer participation numbers keep growing.
About South Coast Soccer City:
South Coast Soccer City will be a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to indoor five-a-side soccer, a small-sided version of the game officially known as Futsal, and will be the first of its kind in Southern California. South Coast Soccer City recently signed a lease for a 73,000 square-foot building located at 540 Maple Avenue in the heart of Torrance and this will be the home of its facility. The newly refurbished space will accommodate five Futsal fields with modular flooring and two artificial turf fields. In addition, South Coast Soccer City will have a 4,000 square-foot performance training center focused on soccer-specific training, four rooms specifically designed and built for birthday parties and corporate events, a homework room for those on site, a café, and a 1,400 square-foot merchandise location.
Soccer City expects to open its doors to the public in December and the opening month will be dedicated to introducing soccer players to its facility and programming. Plans call for condensed adult leagues in December with full 8-week leagues commencing on January 3, 2010. Please visit us at www.scsoccercity.com
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November 3, 2009
SOUTH COAST SOCCER CITY
TO OPEN IN TORRANCE, CA
State-of-the-Art Facility to Open this December in Torrance, California
Torrance, California (November 3, 2009) – Socal Soccer City Holdings, LLC (SSCH) will open its first Soccer City™ location in Torrance, California, it was announced today by Kevin Gilmore, SSCH’s President, and Paul Higgins, President of South Coast Soccer City, LLC (SCSC).
South Coast Soccer City will be a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to indoor five-a-side soccer, a small-sided version of the game officially known as Futsal, and will be the first of its kind in Southern California. South Coast Soccer City recently signed a lease for a 73,000 square-foot building located at 540 Maple Avenue in the heart of Torrance, California, and this will be the home of Socal Soccer City Holding’s first facility. The newly refurbished space will accommodate five Futsal fields with modular flooring and two artificial turf fields. In addition, South Coast Soccer City will have a 4,000 square-foot performance training center focused on soccer-specific training, four rooms specifically designed and built for birthday parties and corporate events, a homework room for those on site, a café, and a 1,400 square-foot merchandise location. South Coast Soccer City will be the largest facility in the United States dedicated to indoor small-sided soccer.
“Small-sided soccer, or Futsal, is at the very core of the high skill level demonstrated by South American players and is critical in the development of young players from that continent, especially in Brazil,” said Higgins. “Soccer City will not only help address the lack of fields and playing opportunities for players of all ages in the region, but will help redefine the way young players develop their soccer skills by introducing them to a version of the game that emphasizes creativity, skills and ball control.”
Soccer City will open at a time when youth teams, young players and adult soccer players in Southern California are seeing diminishing field availability and are faced with fewer playing and training opportunities. At the same time, youth soccer participation numbers keep growing.
“Our goal from the outset was to find a location that was central and had the amount of space that would allow us to build a sufficient number of fields to meet the market needs. This location allows us to build seven fields so we can provide playing and training time for not only young players and adults, but also to create innovative toddler programs, Mommy and me programs, and other programs that enhance the soccer experience. The fact that we found a location in Torrance is an added bonus given the city’s strong soccer tradition and high youth participation levels,” said Gilmore.
Soccer City expects to open its doors to the public in early to mid December and the opening month will be dedicated to introducing soccer players to its facility and its programming. Plans call for condensed youth and adult leagues in December with full 8-week leagues commencing on January 3, 2010.
About Socal Soccer City Holdings:
Socal Soccer City Holdings, LLC, is a privately held company created to own and operate indoor soccer and Futsal facilities. South Coast Soccer City will be SSCH’s first facility and will set the benchmark for future Soccer City facilities. SSCH expects to begin exploring future locations shortly after the South Coast Soccer City location is opened and hopes to open additional Soccer City locations in Southern California and eventually look at expansion beyond California.
About Futsal:
The origin of Futsal can be traced back to Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930 when Juan Carlos Ceriani devised a five-a-side version of soccer for youth competition in YMCAs. The game is played on basketball-sized courts, both indoors and out without the use of sidewalls. Futsal is the only "Official” form of indoor soccer as approved by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Futsal is FIFA's official indoor soccer game which is, essentially, a scaled down version of outdoor soccer played indoors. It is a five-a-side game played on a smaller field, roughly the same size as a basketball court. Unlike some other forms of indoor soccer, the game is played on a hard court surface delimited by lines; walls or boards are not used. It is played between two teams of five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper, and up to seven substitutes per team. Futsal is also played with a smaller ball with less bounce than a regulation soccer ball. The rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in a small space.
This is the game that outdoor soccer players around the globe play when they are indoors to refine and maintain their control skills and touch. In Futsal, players are constantly reminded to play the same quality control game that is required for success in the outdoor game, which develops the overall fundamentals of soccer more effectively. Because the sport is a great skill developer, demanding quick reflexes, fast thinking, pinpoint passing, and a four-second limit on all play restarts, it is an exciting game for children as well as adults. Great soccer superstars such as Pele, Zico, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Roberto Carlos, David Beckham, and Socrates grew up playing the game and credit Futsal with developing their skills.
Contact: Kevin Gilmore (310) 480-5697 ~ kevin@scsoccercity.com
Website: www.scsoccercity.com
Twitter: @SCSoccerCity
