South Atlantic Premier League expands to 10 clubs for 2015-16 NPL season
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Via US Club Soccer) – The South Atlantic Premier League will expand to 10 clubs in the 2015-16 NPL season, as it welcomes South Carolina United FC, Southern Soccer Academy, Tennessee SC and United Soccer Academy – Mount Pleasant. All clubs will field teams in the U-13 through U-16 boys and girls age groups. Select clubs will have U-17 teams playing an abbreviated schedule that focuses on a showcase format.
The league will include the following clubs for the 2015-16 season:
| Charlotte United (N.C.) | Storm Soccer Academy (Ga.) |
| FC Alliance (Tenn.) | Tennessee SC (Tenn.) |
| North Atlanta Soccer Association (Ga.) | Triangle United (N.C.) |
| South Carolina United FC (S.C.) | United Futbol Academy (Ga.) |
| Southern Soccer Academy (Ga.) | United Soccer Academy – Mount Pleasant (S.C.) |
Rob Strickland, Director of Coaching at South Carolina United FC, acknowledged that joining the South Atlantic Premier League – and the NPL in general – will be a challenge, but one that will be met head-on by a club with previous success in other leagues. “We wanted to join the league to provide additional, meaningful games and competition to our players,” Strickland said. “The calendar of the league works well with our current programming and the South Carolina high school season. The caliber of the current member clubs will provide a great test to our players and provide a platform to be showcased for collegiate coaches as they pursue playing at the next level.”
Simon Davey, Director of Coaching at Southern Soccer Academy, also wanted to provide his club with the club-based development model that the NPL offers. From a player development standpoint, the Southern Soccer Academy has adopted curriculum that mirrors its club development partner and English Premier League member Chelsea FC. “We want to compete with the best clubs on a regional basis,” Davey said. “The NPL gives our club the opportunity to do this, while also showcasing our players to important college coaches.”
Stuart Brown, Executive Director at Tennessee SC, said the decision to join the South Atlantic Premier League was largely based on the club’s overall developmental needs. “US Club Soccer’s principles of player development and its id² Program allows Tennessee Soccer Club to bring recognition to the talented players and teams we have here in Middle Tennessee,” Brown said. “I’m eager to see our club compete amongst some of the other top clubs in the South Atlantic Premier League.”
Kian Brownlee, Director of Coaching at United Soccer Academy – Mount Pleasant, said that the consistent, high-quality competition of the South Atlantic Premier League was a major attraction. “We will add depth and quality to the competition in the NPL,” Brownlee added.
The South Atlantic Premier League played its inaugural season in the fall of 2012. For more information on the NPL, please visitnationalpremierleagues.com.
