FC Virginia, Annandale United FC form partnership, join Super-Y League

(Via FCV Annandale) Two of Northern Virginia’s most competitive clubs have formed a year round partnership to align player development with guidelines recommended by FIFA, with participation in USL’s Super-Y League as a core component.

The alliance will play under the name FCV Annandale, adhering strictly to the guidelines recommended by FIFA, each independent club has committed to a 40 week, year-round program that includes Super-Y League play as part of a menu of carefully selected match offerings for both membership groups.

The addition of Super-Y means FC Virginia and Annandale United FC have, between them, now provided players with a variety of opportunities to play high-level competitive matches in nearly every top league available to teams from the greater Washington, DC region.

“The FCV Annandale alliance and Super-Y League participation now allows coaches to readily meet the FIFA recommended player development ratio of 3:1 [training sessions to matches], with plenty of development matches available to our membership in a very user-friendly summer format,” said Richie Burke, Director of Coaching (Boys) for FC Virginia. “We particularly like the Super-Y League’s flexible rosters, which allow for larger squads and mixed groups – all of which enable us to create a really positive player development experience for our membership.”

Club officials stressed that the partnership seeks to address the issue where many youth clubs talk about player development without really paying attention to what FIFA, the sport’s governing body recommends. They plan to use Super-Y League play to supplement match offerings for players and teams within each club’s year-round development plan, particular those who many not be getting in as many games per year as recommended.

FC Virginia and Annandale are each known more for the strength in their girls and boys programs respectively, although each do field teams in the other genders in many ages groups as well. FC Virginia has also recently partnered with Puma and Premier League powerhouse Arsenal FC as a Puma Elite Program member. So this alliance allows them to form strong teams in both genders, across all ages without relying on teams from outside the clubs to fill out their full Super-Y age lineups.

“Annandale United Football Club are very excited with to Partner with FCV and merge two great clubs for the Summer with the Super-Y League. The opportunity for our players to work with their Arsenal FC program and Richie Burke are an opportunity too good to turn down.” added Annandale Technical Director Bo Amato, “We have as a club always looked to provide opportunity to our players of all ages and levels. This fits with our model and we are proud to work so closely with FCV and continue to open positive doors for our players.”