Today we’d like to introduce you to Corrie Altenburg, Nick Altenburg, Katie Eck, Matt Eck, Mike Wieckowski, Yana Wieckowski, Tabitha Nelson, and Alex Nelson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Ashley River Soccer Club (ARSC) began with a simple but powerful idea: that kids in West Ashley deserve access to high-quality, affordable soccer programming—right here in their own community. As a lifelong West Ashley resident, a parent, and someone deeply invested in youth development, I saw firsthand how limited the options were for families who didn’t want to drive across town multiple nights a week.
From our very first conversations and meetings, we were just a small group of parents, volunteers, and coaches with a shared vision and a lot of heart. We knew it wouldn’t be easy to start a club from scratch, but we also knew the need was real. We leaned on our strengths, our connections, and a deep belief in community. Piece by piece, with the help of passionate volunteers and generous local support, we began to build something special.
In July, we hosted our very first summer clinics, and the response was wonderful. Seeing so many kids come out to play and grow reminded us exactly why we started this journey. Now, we’re channeling that momentum and excitement into our inaugural fall season, and we can’t wait to see what’s ahead.
We’re still growing, still learning, and still committed to making ARSC a club that reflects the best of West Ashley—resilient, passionate, and rooted in community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of our biggest challenges has been access to fields. West Ashley has very limited green space available for organized sports, and while we’ve been grateful for moments of support, the logistics and cost of securing fields have been a constant hurdle. As a new club, we don’t have the same longstanding relationships or resources that established organizations do, so we’ve had to get creative and persistent—navigating city systems, reaching out to schools, and piecing together space wherever we can.
Another major challenge has simply been starting something from the ground up. There’s no playbook for launching a community-centered club like this, so every step—building trust, finding volunteers, creating systems, and getting the word out—has taken time and energy. We’ve faced moments of doubt and plenty of roadblocks, but we’ve also learned that community support can go a long way when people believe in your mission.
Despite the challenges, we’ve remained committed to showing up, following through, and keeping our focus on the kids and families we serve.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our core team is made up of parents, coaches, professionals, and small business owners, all juggling full lives while pouring time and energy into building something meaningful from the ground up.
What I’m most proud of is the way our team has come together—completely as volunteers—to build this club from the ground up. Every single person involved has brought their own strengths to the table, whether it’s coaching, organizing, website design, communication, marketing, or just a willingness to jump in and help wherever needed. There’s been no ego, just shared purpose.
We’ve faced a lot of challenges, but the way this group continues to show up, support each other, and push forward—even when things get hard—is what keeps the fire alive. It’s rare to find that kind of chemistry and commitment in any project, and the fact that we’ve created it through sheer belief in what we’re doing makes me incredibly proud. ARSC is a reflection of all of us, and I wouldn’t want to be doing this with anyone else.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
N/a
Pricing:
- $60 for a 3-evening session 6-8pm summer clinics
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Ashleyriversoccer.com
- Instagram: @ashleyriversoccer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16qbTV9wDZ/
