Tampa, FL – March 8, 2019 – The Tampa Bay Rowdies Development Academy (TBR Academy) is excited to announce the expansion of their elite competitive soccer program with a U-17 (under 17 years of age) Boys Soccer team for the 2019-2020 season. The addition of the new team adds to the TBR Academy’s current teams in the U13- U15 divisions and is part of their ongoing effort to develop world-class players.
The Development Academy is a partnership between U.S. Soccer and the top youth clubs around the country to provide the best youth players in the U.S. with an everyday environment designed to produce the next generation of National Team players. New clubs and new age-group teams are selected for admission to the Academy following a thorough review process by the U.S. Soccer Club Development department based on: academy leadership and quality of coaching staff, desire to embrace Development Academy philosophy and core values, infrastructure and investment of resources, player production history, player pool depth and geographic location.
“This is an exciting time to be a young aspiring soccer player in the Greater Tampa Bay area and we are delighted that U.S. Soccer has recognized our club’s commitment to player development with the support of our program and expansion for the 2019/20 season,” said TBR Academy Director Blake Wagner.
Added Wagner, “The TBR Academy’s leadership team is ensuring that we are providing the Greater Tampa Bay youth players the programming needed in order to provide a pathway to play professional soccer and to push towards having local players represent our club at those professional levels of play.”
The TBR Academy program will offer the highest level of training and competition for the area’s top players and provide opportunities to work directly with the Tampa Bay Rowdies coaching staff and players. The Academy also connects National Team coaches directly with the Academy clubs to develop and identify players and coaches for future Youth National Teams.
“We are honored that US Soccer believes in our program and supports the opportunities we are creating for youth players in the Greater Tampa Bay Area. This expedites our growth as a club and provides an opportunity for our local talent to develop within the DA framework while providing a clear pathway to play for The Rowdies first team,” said Neill Collins, Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
The U17 (2003/2004) age group has been added to the upcoming Development Academy ID Clinics (trials) for the 2019/20 season. U17 ID Clinic (trials) dates are: March 25, April 1, and April 12, 2019*. *Visit our TB Rowdies ID Clinic page for Tampa Bay Rowdies Development Academy U17 ID Clinic (trial) dates, times, location, and registration requirements.
Visit the Tampa Bay Rowdies Development Academy Program, or the U.S. Soccer Development Academy websites to learn more.
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Press Contacts:
Blake Wagner, Development Academy Director
Tampa Bay Rowdies
bwagner@tbusc.com
Eric Sims, Chief Operating Officer
Tampa Bay United Rowdies
esims@tbusc.com