Longtime Tampa Bay area youth soccer clubs announce partnership

Two of Florida’s longest standing youth soccer clubs, Florida Premier FC and Florida SC – Spirit of Tampa Bay, have announced a partnership.

Having both operated in the Tampa Bay area for more than 45 years, the two clubs are joining forces in an effort to expand player development opportunities through the sharing of resources and facilities.

Florida Premier FC is a full member of the ECNL Boys and competes in the ECNL Girls Regional League across the U11-U18 age groups. The club is continuing to expand its competitive pathways for both the boys and girls programs. This latest partnership comes shortly after Florida Premier FC announced a similar agreement with Largo United SC.

Florida SC – Spirit of Tampa Bay has been a staple in the community since its inception in 1975, and currently operates a robust recreational soccer program along with competitive travel teams.

See below for the full announcement from Florida Premier FC:

“Florida Premier FC welcomes Florida Soccer Club, Spirit of Tampa Bay to the family!

Florida Premier FC and Florida Soccer Club Spirit are excited to announce an official partnership between the two clubs, effective immediately.

Both Florida Premier FC and Florida Soccer Club have operated youth soccer programs in the greater Tampa Bay area for over 45 years. Leadership at both clubs met on numerous occasions this year and quickly understood that they share core values and philosophy toward player development and club culture.

Through the sharing of resources, this partnership will further expand opportunities for youth players in eastern Pasco and Hillsborough counties. Florida Soccer Club currently operates out of the 301 Sports Complex, located in Temple Terrace just a couple miles from the intersection of I-75 and I-4, as well as the Samuel Pasco Athletic Park in Zephyrhills, Florida.

Novi Maric, CEO of FL Premier FC, stated:

‘I am very excited to work closely with Brian Dozark and the rest of the Spirit staff to keep growing both the Temple Terrace and Zephyrhills campuses. This is great news for the Tampa Bay youth soccer community and our own FL Premier FC families. It is going to create numerous opportunities for all of our athletes at all levels of play. FL Premier FC prides itself on our great family environment — and our family just got a little bigger! We are very excited about the future of our Club for our players and families, and the opportunity to keep expanding throughout Tampa Bay.’

Brian Dozark, Director of Soccer Operations at Florida Soccer Club stated the following:

‘We are excited to announce our partnership with Florida Premier FC. Having been an integral part of competitive youth soccer in the Tampa Bay area since 1975, winning a National Championship, State Championships and numerous FYSA Tournament Cups, it’s time we take advantage of the significant changes in competitive youth soccer. We believe that Florida Premier FC have the leadership, direction and passion allowing our current players, their families and coaches to experience even more growth in the coming years. It’s long been one of our major club goals to offer as many quality opportunities to our players as possible. Partnering with Florida Premier FC will do just that.’

Florida Soccer Club will maintain recreational programs in Temple Terrace and Zephyrhills under the Florida Soccer Club Spirit brand.

Both clubs are looking forward to moving into the future together and to growing and prospering as FL Premier FC. Stay tuned for more exciting news and offerings in conjunction with this partnership!”