August 26, 2004
It all began with local entrepreneur and soccer enthusiast Ken Smith’s 7-plus year dream of building a large soccer complex here in the Temecula Valley area. Following the sudden loss of John Blanche, a great friend and Southwest Soccer Club (SWSC) Co-Founder, Smith solidified his commitment to the project, seeking to honor John Blanche.
With the support of the Rancho California Water District and a $400,000 donation by Southwest Traders, Inc., Smith was able to secure the lease of 44 acres of the District’s property to SWSC. The once vacant property on Diaz Road in Murrieta has been transformed into the John Blanche Memorial Soccer Complex (JBMSC), and is now the home of the SWSC, the Southwest Adult Soccer League, and AYSO, the Valley’s local recreational youth soccer program. Consisting of 20 soccer fields, JBMSC provides the much needed soccer facilities for approximately 1,500 Valley area soccer players, and can easily accommodate more participants.
The vision of SWSC is “To provide a world class soccer program that develops world class soccer players.” SWSC Co-Founder Ken Smith explains, “Having full time access to great soccer facilities for practices, games and tournaments is a much needed cornerstone for building a world class soccer program.” The Soccer Complex has also done much to alleviate the shortage of fields in the Temecula Valley area. JBMSC has been hosting games and practices since September 2002, and will draw up 250,000 visitors this year alone.
After hearing about the SWSC and the Soccer Complex, Temecula’s own GreenLeaf Home Loans decided Smith’s dream was noble and worth whiled. Already invested in helping members of the community to realize the dream of home ownership, GreenLeaf decided to take their hands-on approach to the greater Valley area, pledging to be the Club’s Corporate Sponsor for the 2004-2005 season. Erek Newton, President/CEO of GreenLeaf explains, “It’s an investment which will truly yield plentiful results, providing the community with better recreational opportunities while helping to support local businesses by attracting new customers.”
When asked about partnering with GreenLeaf, the Club’s President, Khaled Al-Shafe replied, “GreenLeaf’s support and commitment will have a positive impact on thousands of families in the Temecula Valley area. Through their generosity, GreenLeaf stands out as one of the true class-act businesses in the area. We’re very proud and fortunate to have people like Erek Newton, who contribute to help benefit our local families and our community.”
Smith continues to look to local and regional business owners and corporations to assist in meeting the costs of maintaining the JBMSC, and hopes to secure the investments needed to elevate the complex to be the best in Southern California.
For information about GreenLeaf and how they can assist you with your next home loan, please call 951-491-6900, or visit www.FollowTheLeaf.com. For information about SWSC or the John Blanche Soccer Complex, please call 951-699-SWSC.
