UrbanWaterloo
01-02-2010, 10:23 AM
CSL eyes region for expansion
December 15, 2007
JOSH BROWN - RECORD STAFF - WATERLOO REGION
http://news.therecord.com/article/283076
The Canadian Soccer League wants another kick at Waterloo Region.
The 10-team outfit, based primarily in southern Ontario, is eyeing expansion and the league has made this area one of its prime targets.
"I think with the rapid growth of Kitchener-Waterloo, it's an obvious top- of-our-list choice," said commissioner Cary Kaplan, who also wants to add new teams in Hamilton and Kingston. "The soccer community has expressed interest for a long time. We're looking for an ownership group or an individual that would want to purchase a franchise."
The cost? A one-time fee of $100,000. But it will take about another $100,000 annually to keep the team afloat.
"If you get between 500 and 1,000 fans per game, it's not only an exciting venture but you can make money," said Kaplan. "It's not a situation where the costs are such a burden."
The league dates back some 80 years and is a reincarnation of former entities such as the National Soccer League and the Canadian Professional Soccer League, among others. Last year, the league was split into two divisions -- one which boasted five teams from Windsor to Trois-Rivieres, Que., and another that featured five clubs in the Toronto area tied to ethnic groups.
The season goes from May to October and teams play 22 games, half at home and half on the road. Clubs also compete in a Cup tournament that runs independent from league play and which carries a $25,000 prize for the winner.
Player salaries are negotiable and most are on a per-game basis. Some teams have flown in players from Europe while others have relied on homegrown talent. Current teams are averaging about 500 fans per game and charging about $10 a ticket.
The CSL has come and gone in Waterloo Region before. The last attempt -- the Kitchener Kickers -- fizzled more than a decade ago when fans and funds dried up. But Kaplan says the league is in better shape now with budgets that can be managed when decent fan support, sponsors and concessions are considered.
The Kickers' old home, Centennial Stadium, still stands. Laurier's University Stadium would be another alternative for any new club coming this way.
"We've always had a lot of interest in the area so it would be natural to have a team in the CSL," said Waterloo's Niki Budalic, who has spent the past two seasons with the league's Serbian White Eagles. "Given that there are teams in London, Windsor and St. Catharines, I think it would be logical to expand here."
Budalic, who has played for FC Haugesund in Norway's first division, says the key to success is money and support.
"The most important thing is to create a club structure where they can tie in and co-ordinate with local clubs around here and have some sort of affiliate program and get a lot of interest at the grass-roots level," the 29-year-old midfielder said. "It's important for general interest and presence in the community.
"Secondly, they need sponsors and some sort of corporate affiliation. There is not enough revenue from ticket sales to sustain a team like this or a club structure."
Kitchener and District Soccer League president Tony Kocis also believes the region has the talent to outfit a local CSL club. And he thinks his league would be a natural feeder league.
"Some of the KDSL teams would probably lose a player or two to the CSL team," he said. "But you know what? That's what the goal is. That's what all the players and teams are looking for . . . for their players to go somewhere higher."
December 15, 2007
JOSH BROWN - RECORD STAFF - WATERLOO REGION
http://news.therecord.com/article/283076
The Canadian Soccer League wants another kick at Waterloo Region.
The 10-team outfit, based primarily in southern Ontario, is eyeing expansion and the league has made this area one of its prime targets.
"I think with the rapid growth of Kitchener-Waterloo, it's an obvious top- of-our-list choice," said commissioner Cary Kaplan, who also wants to add new teams in Hamilton and Kingston. "The soccer community has expressed interest for a long time. We're looking for an ownership group or an individual that would want to purchase a franchise."
The cost? A one-time fee of $100,000. But it will take about another $100,000 annually to keep the team afloat.
"If you get between 500 and 1,000 fans per game, it's not only an exciting venture but you can make money," said Kaplan. "It's not a situation where the costs are such a burden."
The league dates back some 80 years and is a reincarnation of former entities such as the National Soccer League and the Canadian Professional Soccer League, among others. Last year, the league was split into two divisions -- one which boasted five teams from Windsor to Trois-Rivieres, Que., and another that featured five clubs in the Toronto area tied to ethnic groups.
The season goes from May to October and teams play 22 games, half at home and half on the road. Clubs also compete in a Cup tournament that runs independent from league play and which carries a $25,000 prize for the winner.
Player salaries are negotiable and most are on a per-game basis. Some teams have flown in players from Europe while others have relied on homegrown talent. Current teams are averaging about 500 fans per game and charging about $10 a ticket.
The CSL has come and gone in Waterloo Region before. The last attempt -- the Kitchener Kickers -- fizzled more than a decade ago when fans and funds dried up. But Kaplan says the league is in better shape now with budgets that can be managed when decent fan support, sponsors and concessions are considered.
The Kickers' old home, Centennial Stadium, still stands. Laurier's University Stadium would be another alternative for any new club coming this way.
"We've always had a lot of interest in the area so it would be natural to have a team in the CSL," said Waterloo's Niki Budalic, who has spent the past two seasons with the league's Serbian White Eagles. "Given that there are teams in London, Windsor and St. Catharines, I think it would be logical to expand here."
Budalic, who has played for FC Haugesund in Norway's first division, says the key to success is money and support.
"The most important thing is to create a club structure where they can tie in and co-ordinate with local clubs around here and have some sort of affiliate program and get a lot of interest at the grass-roots level," the 29-year-old midfielder said. "It's important for general interest and presence in the community.
"Secondly, they need sponsors and some sort of corporate affiliation. There is not enough revenue from ticket sales to sustain a team like this or a club structure."
Kitchener and District Soccer League president Tony Kocis also believes the region has the talent to outfit a local CSL club. And he thinks his league would be a natural feeder league.
"Some of the KDSL teams would probably lose a player or two to the CSL team," he said. "But you know what? That's what the goal is. That's what all the players and teams are looking for . . . for their players to go somewhere higher."