Each year the operating budget for SOCA continues to grow as the club brings quality soccer to more players, and the demands and expectations on the organization increase.  With the merger of the Augusta and Charlottesville regions under SOCA, the 2015 annual budget has reached $2.45 million.

An important source of income, and a means to contain player registration fees, is SOCA’s robust sponsorship program.  Supporting the club’s efforts are a group of sponsors committed to assisting SOCA in its mission to provide excellent soccer programming for all interested players in our community.

Leading the way is nTelos Wireless, a Virginia-based company actively involved in supporting community sports programs.  As an important local business, nTelos Wireless has taken a leadership role in supporting SOCA by sponsoring the entire SOCA Travel program, along with the youth WISL program, the Winter Day Camp, the Blue Ridge Residential Soccer Academy and both the Frostbite Tournament and Sunburn Recreational Tournaments.  The Elite, Premier and Classic levels of the Travel program are all supported by the telecommunications company.

“We’re delighted to have the support of nTelos Wireless across such a wide array of our programs,” said Bill Mueller, SOCA’s Executive Director.  “As an important wireless provider in Virginia and the region, they are a perfect fit for SOCA, who makes such a big impact at the state and regional levels.  The folks at nTelos have been great partners in helping us provide opportunity for all our players.  By expanding their sponsorship they are supporting programming year-round and at every level of the club.”

Additional key players on the SOCA sponsor team are Charlottesville Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, Harris Teeter, DuPont Community Credit Union, Total Soccer, and Coventry Health Care.  Charlottesville Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center is sponsoring SOCA’s unique Challenge program.  The local oral medicine experts have committed to supporting SOCA’s young players as they advance and develop in the singular Challenge program.  “Charlottesville Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center is a great fit for our Challenge program”, said Mueller.  “The folks there have personal experience in the Challenge program and are committed to supporting our players in that special program.”

Harris Teeter, the regional grocery chain giant with a reputation for excellence, has provided ongoing support to SOCA’s largest group, the Charlottesville Recreation program.  Harris Teeter will be sponsoring over 3700 players during the course of the soccer year.  As a company committed to supporting important community institutions, Harris Teeter has proven its commitment by joining with SOCA to bring Recreational soccer to youth players of all ages throughout the Charlottesville region.

Joining SOCA this spring is the DuPont Community Credit Union, who are supporting the fast-growing SOCA-Augusta Recreational program. The DCCU has a genuine commitment to the well-being of the community, and demonstrates their dedication to affecting positive change by supporting the Augusta region’s recreational players.  DCCU has been committed to community service since 1959.

Entry level players ages 4-6 in the Charlottesville region are sponsored by Coventry Health and Total Soccer.  Coventry Health is a welcome addition to SOCA’s sponsor list, and Total Soccer has been a longtime advocate of the club.  “Coventry Health found a great fit in supporting our youngest players, and we welcome their involvement.  Total Soccer and Downtown Athletic Store have been faithful supporters of SOCA for more than 25 years, and it is always a pleasure to have their assistance,” praised Mueller.

In addition to the major program sponsors, SOCA welcomes the support of over 90 individual team sponsors in Augusta and Charlottesville.

More than a dozen sponsors are now sponsors of SOCA’s beautiful South Fork Soccer Park. “We are deeply grateful for the support of all our valued partners.  We are glad to involve local businesses at many different levels, each of which contributes to SOCA’s ability to deliver on our mission of providing great soccer opportunities for all the interested players in our community. We’re looking forward to continued success with the help of all our sponsor partners,” Mueller said.

SOCA provides sponsorship opportunities for many of its programs, tournaments and teams.  More information on SOCA sponsorships options can be provided by contacting Lecky Stone in Charlottesville, at Lecky.Stone@SOCAspot.org, or Mark Yurish in Augusta at Mark.Yurish@SOCAspot.org.