Florida Premier League adds six clubs for 2012-13 season

The Florida Premier League, part of US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues (NPL), has announced that it will add six new clubs for the 2012-13 season. These new clubs will join five founding members of the Florida Premier League: Brandon FC, Jacksonville United, Orlando City FC (formerly CFK Kraze/Krush), Space Coast United, and Tampa Bay United.

The six new clubs joining the Florida Premier League in the U-13 through U-18 boys and girls age groups for the 2012-13 season are:

The NPL was created to provide a unified, league-based national developmental platform with the highest level of competition in given geographic areas, and to elevate and change the competitive youth soccer landscape based upon fundamental principles outlined in US Club Soccer’s 10-year vision.

“We are delighted to join other top clubs in Florida as members of this progressive new league system that US Club Soccer has created,” said Eric Eichmann, Director of Boca United / South Florida United Soccer Academy. “The league’s club-based model aligns perfectly with the player development philosophy that our club is based upon. The challenges and opportunities that come from competing with and against the most elite clubs in the state, and ultimately the country through the NPL format, is something that we feel will only further enhance our players’ ability to reach their full potential.”

“Year two of the Florida Premier League has the potential to be a first of its kind,” said Eric Dade, Director of Coaching for Jacksonville United. “As you look at the quality of youth clubs that have been assembled throughout the state, and their commitment to overall club and player development, we believe that our talent-rich state is providing its players the best opportunities for success.”

“We are very excited about being accepted into the Florida Premier League,” said Mark Chung, Girls Director of Coaching at Boca United / South Florida United Soccer Academy. “This allows us to further develop kids in a club-based philosophy where every kid, young and old, is playing the same Barcelona way. The individual team within a club concept is becoming extinct.”

The inaugural Florida Premier League season is wrapping up, with regular-season champions advancing to the NPL Champions Cup. The culminating event of the NPL season will be held July 27-31 in Waukegan, Ill.