Coastal Georgia Soccer Association (CGSA) was created in 1991 as a non-profit organization in an effort to organize the growing interests in soccer in the Chatham/Savannah area by a group of local soccer enthuiasts. The program began with about 400 children. A board of directors was formed, a constitution and by-laws were written, and CGSA applied to the Georgia Youth Soccer Association (GYSA) for affiliation. CGSA through GYSA is a member of the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) and is governed by FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association). As the enthusiasm for soccer grew, CGSA continued as the founder and regional leader by assisting in the establishment of other organizations in district IV of GYSA, such as Richmond Hill, Jesup, Statesboro, Camden County, Brunswick and Hinesville. Currently, CGSA is over 100 teams strong with approximately 1,100 registered players. Presently, CGSA has 30 "select / academy teams" that travel throughout Georgia and the South East to compete. These teams are comprised of players who go through an evaluation process and are chosen and placed on teams by the director of coaching. The remaining teams are "recreational" and compete locally or within our district. Recreational teams are not "handpicked," they are players who are grouped by specific age levels to learn, develop, and train for the shear enjoyment of the game or to eventually try out for a select team. In recent years the strength of the clubs select and recreational programs has grown with the influx of professional coaching and the clubs coaching education programs.CGSA is also responsible for hosting five very successful tournaments throughout the year, these include include a 3 v 3 event and a tremendous recreational event.