Hartland Soccer to Vote on Alliance Membership

A plan for Hartland youth soccer to solidify ties with a Livingston County-based elite club has some parents worried the move could diminish local say in running the program and boost the cost to play by as much as $1,000 a year.

Advocates of the change counter that neither scenario would happen and joining Michigan Alliance would offer area players opportunities to compete at a higher level locally and strengthen the high school program. The only cost increase, they say, would be $40 a year.

The Hartland Community Soccer Association is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Monday to vote on whether it should join Michigan Alliance, which already includes the local associations from Howell and Brighton. Hartland participated in Michigan Alliance this year under a guest affiliation.

The meeting is at the , 9525 Highland Road. It is open to the public.

More than 500 children participate in the Hartland association's soccer programs and the change could affect more than 40 percent of players.

Under details unveiled at a meeting last month, fees would increase $40 per player to add supplemental programs that are offered during summer and winter seasons. In addition, the more elite local teams, which use volunteer coaches, could vote to hire a coach that could cost each player an added $1,000 per year. Currently, it costs about $250 to play a season.

Opponents of the move say maintaining the volunteer system keeps costs down and adds to the hometown feel of the club.

"I believe in kids and I believe in soccer," said Chris Schiller, the soccer association president. "I have put a lot of time into this program. I want Hartland Community Soccer to stay Hartland Community Soccer."

More details are needed before the community supports the change, Schiller said.

"We've asked for contracts, paperwork, pricing. We haven't seen anything," Schiller said. "Some parents just aren't willing to pay thousands of dollars for soccer. We need to educate our parents so they know what's out there for them and their kids."

Other board members, however, say now is the time for the move and that Hartland will maintain its current coaching system.

"As a mom and a board member, I have a vested interest in leaving it alone and absolutely continuing on how we are," Maureen Wright said. "There is no way this board will pass a paid-coaching system."

Paid vs. volunteer

Although some suggest that having a paid coaching staff results in higher-caliber players, some parents counter that the volunteers who coach Hartland teams are just as capable. Parent-coaches can relate to and connect with their young players more than paid coaches, they say.

"I've tried them all," John Condra, a Hartland veteran coach and parent said about the surrounding premier soccer leagues. "Three out of four of my kids have had bad experiences because they (paid coaches) didn't know how to deal with kids. There needs to be a balance."

Not all youth soccer players are or choose to become premier-level players. Hartland soccer provides those children and their families with a program that is competitive without the cost or commitment levels of club teams. A big reason for the push to join a premier club is to keep elite soccer players playing in Hartland, according to those who favor the increased relationship with Alliance.

Player drain

In the past, some Hartland residents have taken their children, typically at age 13 and up, elsewhere to get the coaching and competition they believe is needed to compete at the higher levels of soccer. When that happens, it can be difficult for Hartland to get enough players to field a local team, parents and coaches say.

That was the case for Kim Holt and her two daughters, both of whom began playing in Hartland and now play for Alliance. She said if Hartland joins Michigan Alliance, there would be more unity where players would feel less like a traitor for leaving for a better team.

"Two years ago, her (daughter's) coach let us know she would not be able to continue any more and recommended for us to go elsewhere for better coaching," Holt said. "She was honest with us and knew the numbers wouldn't be there for her to keep expanding her team. Hartland is OK with being a recreational program, but it does not promote the higher levels of soccer.

"They (Alliance coaches) have played the game before, they have great coaching abilities and insights. They work well with the kids and it's a really good program. They are very dedicated to the kids. If they (players) like competitive soccer and want to learn, it's a great thing."

Additional possible vote ramifications

As a guest member, Hartland players must pay a separate, reduced fee for each individual program in which they choose to participate, including trainers and soccer support staff. Camps, which also are offered, cost extra. By becoming a permanent member, the fees would be consolidated and generally be lower.

"Our goal is to create a better soccer environment," said Droo Callahan, coaching director for Michigan Alliance. "Right now, Livingston County is very disjointed and when we are separate we offer less. We (Alliance) were created for two reasons -- one: to offer more opportunities and two: to lower the discrepancy of talent among players."

If Hartland doesn't formally join Michigan Alliance, it's unclear what the new fees might be for those in the Hartland soccer association. Soccer officials say they want to maintain a good relationship no matter the decision.

"No one is in favor of an all-or-nothing situation," said Wright, the parent and Hartland soccer board member. "We would definitely try and stay involved in some way or another. In the future, we hope to see further training strongly encouraged for our select teams by bringing in more trainers at least once a week for select teams."

Editor's note: Tatum L. Ryan is an unpaid, volunteer coach for the Hartland Community Soccer Association. For her personal perspective on this story, .