Oh, how we have missed Five for Friday, but finally we return with the five question game involving someone working in soccer. This week we spoke with Lee Billiard, who is currently the Associate General Manager of the Boston Breakers. It's been a roller coaster of a few months for Billiard and everyone else involved with WPS. But instead of crumbling with the news of WPS suspending operations, the Breakers have joined WPSL Elite for 2012. We enjoyed Lee's first five answers so much, we added a bonus question so he could vent about his beloved Aston Villa. Follow Billiard on twitter @LB_Breakers
Soccer Banter: What made the Boston Breakers decide to continue as a club in 2012 and join WPSL Elite?
Lee Billiard: A lot of factors, internal and external, went into the decision to keep the Breakers going in 2012. From a business standpoint, we did not want our brand to take a break, we knew if we did this it would have been tough for us to come back into the market at the same level as we left it. From a soccer standpoint, we had players who wanted to play, players who were starting to make a career for themselves in this game. If we could keep their aspirations of doing that alive, then we were prepared to do everything possible to do so. Once WPS announced the suspension of the 2012 season we were overwhelmed by how much support we received from supporters, players, and sponsors. A lot of people wanted the Breakers to continue their presence in 2012, it was a real driving force for us internally to make it happen. Once we decided to stay in operation for 2012 we wanted to be sure whatever we did, we would do it at the highest level we possibly could. It is a great feeling knowing Boston will still have the Breakers in 2012, knowing our players will still be role models to all those young players who aspire to be a soccer player at any level one day.
Soccer Banter: What made the Boston Breakers decide to continue as a club in 2012 and join WPSL Elite?
Lee Billiard: A lot of factors, internal and external, went into the decision to keep the Breakers going in 2012. From a business standpoint, we did not want our brand to take a break, we knew if we did this it would have been tough for us to come back into the market at the same level as we left it. From a soccer standpoint, we had players who wanted to play, players who were starting to make a career for themselves in this game. If we could keep their aspirations of doing that alive, then we were prepared to do everything possible to do so. Once WPS announced the suspension of the 2012 season we were overwhelmed by how much support we received from supporters, players, and sponsors. A lot of people wanted the Breakers to continue their presence in 2012, it was a real driving force for us internally to make it happen. Once we decided to stay in operation for 2012 we wanted to be sure whatever we did, we would do it at the highest level we possibly could. It is a great feeling knowing Boston will still have the Breakers in 2012, knowing our players will still be role models to all those young players who aspire to be a soccer player at any level one day.
SB: What should fans be expecting with the roster for the Breakers compared to past seasons?
LB: Head Coach, Lisa Cole, is forming a very strong roster. Breakers fans will recognize names from previous seasons, but also names that have previously played in WPS with other clubs. We will be keeping our roster as a “professional” one, meaning we will not be carrying college players who still have eligibility. Our first aim was to keep the roster as we had planned for WPS. We have lost some along the way due to international commitments, but we have kept a large portion of our WPS roster and will be announcing more exciting additions very soon.
SB: As Associate General Manager, what is your day-to-day responsibilities with the club?
LB: I guess you can say I like to be involved in everything. I am very passionate about this game so it’s easy to get carried away with the team logistics before I have to step back and look at things from a business perspective. We have a new business model for the WPSL Elite season, it is my responsibility that this model and plan is kept on track, whilst making sure the coaching staff and players have what they need in order to focus on a successful season. I have a lot of trust in Lisa and her staff regarding team logistics. My day-to-day responsibilities are more geared towards business and revenue while working with youth soccer groups, ways in which the Boston Breakers can help develop grass roots soccer and its development of players.
SB: Moving forward, what needs to happen in the next 10 months for WPS to be able to return?
LB: WPS will be working hard, looking into their current model, areas of success, and areas that proved to be less successful. It is a simple evaluation of business that will be carried out. The suspension gives the powers that be time to look deeper into revising the model and time to look at expansion. I understand why WPS suspended the season and conversations have already taken place as to an improved 2013 model that will breed success for future years.
LB: Head Coach, Lisa Cole, is forming a very strong roster. Breakers fans will recognize names from previous seasons, but also names that have previously played in WPS with other clubs. We will be keeping our roster as a “professional” one, meaning we will not be carrying college players who still have eligibility. Our first aim was to keep the roster as we had planned for WPS. We have lost some along the way due to international commitments, but we have kept a large portion of our WPS roster and will be announcing more exciting additions very soon.
SB: As Associate General Manager, what is your day-to-day responsibilities with the club?
LB: I guess you can say I like to be involved in everything. I am very passionate about this game so it’s easy to get carried away with the team logistics before I have to step back and look at things from a business perspective. We have a new business model for the WPSL Elite season, it is my responsibility that this model and plan is kept on track, whilst making sure the coaching staff and players have what they need in order to focus on a successful season. I have a lot of trust in Lisa and her staff regarding team logistics. My day-to-day responsibilities are more geared towards business and revenue while working with youth soccer groups, ways in which the Boston Breakers can help develop grass roots soccer and its development of players.
SB: Moving forward, what needs to happen in the next 10 months for WPS to be able to return?
LB: WPS will be working hard, looking into their current model, areas of success, and areas that proved to be less successful. It is a simple evaluation of business that will be carried out. The suspension gives the powers that be time to look deeper into revising the model and time to look at expansion. I understand why WPS suspended the season and conversations have already taken place as to an improved 2013 model that will breed success for future years.
SB: Over the past 10 years you have worked at all levels of women's soccer in America - camps, premier club, high school, college, and now professional. Looking back, what is your most memorable moment during this period?
LB: Good question! I have so many memorable moments, I eat, sleep, and drink this game. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to work at so many different levels and gain so much experience. A recent memorable moment was with my MPS team who won a National Championship, but I guess out of all the different levels I have worked, the most memorable is seeing how the game has developed and how many young children are playing soccer as their main sport. I have seen this game grow over the past 10 years I have been in the US and now that I get to work the business end of the game, I hope to be a big part of the professional growth of women’s soccer in this country.
SB: What are your thoughts on the current state of the club you support back in England, Aston Villa?
LB: Haha, now you have hit a nerve! Let’s just say it is not an exciting time being an Aston Villa supporter right now. Unfortunately we have slipped into a decline on the field due to an attempt to balance the books off the field. In the position I am now in I certainly understand how close you have to balance the two, but from a supporters perspective they want success on the field and if not success, at least improvement and enjoyment.
LB: Good question! I have so many memorable moments, I eat, sleep, and drink this game. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to work at so many different levels and gain so much experience. A recent memorable moment was with my MPS team who won a National Championship, but I guess out of all the different levels I have worked, the most memorable is seeing how the game has developed and how many young children are playing soccer as their main sport. I have seen this game grow over the past 10 years I have been in the US and now that I get to work the business end of the game, I hope to be a big part of the professional growth of women’s soccer in this country.
SB: What are your thoughts on the current state of the club you support back in England, Aston Villa?
LB: Haha, now you have hit a nerve! Let’s just say it is not an exciting time being an Aston Villa supporter right now. Unfortunately we have slipped into a decline on the field due to an attempt to balance the books off the field. In the position I am now in I certainly understand how close you have to balance the two, but from a supporters perspective they want success on the field and if not success, at least improvement and enjoyment.
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