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Diane Scavuzzo
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Expanding Amateur Affiliations To Grow The Game
The National Independent Soccer Association was founded in 2017 with a mission to bring professional soccer to every city in the United States. Affiliating with SoCal Premier is one step forward to growing the game in the USA.
The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) proudly announces an amateur league affiliation with La Mirada, Calif.,-based SoCal Premier, stretching its network of affiliations from sea to shining sea.
SoCap Premier’s tag line is ‘Facilitate a collaborative and community-based environment within an open market’ — an independent business approach that compliments NISA’s own structure of the pro league not owning the teams. With over 200 teams in 50 clubs, SoCal Premier will provide great access to the amateur market in one of America’s hottest soccer hotbeds.
This first amateur affiliation of 2021 for NISA follows a busy 2020 where NISA scored affiliations with the Gulf Coast Premier League, Eastern Premier Soccer League, the Mountain Premier League, and the Midwest Premier League.
“Solidifying this relationship with SoCal Premier is a big deal for NISA from both perspectives of geographic reach and amazing talent,” says NISA Executive Vice President of Expansion Josh Prutch.
“As we strive to create a stronger system of growth and opportunity, we are eager to align with SoCal Premier as that league expands its brand awareness and geographic footprint,” says Prutch.
SoCal Premier’s 2020-21 Season is set to kick off on April 25, 2021 with the 2021-22 full season beginning on September 12, 2021. They are the largest adult soccer league in California with adult teams in several divisions and age groups from Men’s & Women’s Open, U23, Over30, Over45, Over55, and Coed.
Like the other recent affiliation agreements, NISA will allow SoCal at least two merit-based spots in the annual NISA Independent Cup tournament. SoCal also will be an active participant on the NISA Alliance Board which manages the interconnectedness of the growing number of affiliates.
“We have had a strong promotion–relegation system in place for more than 25 years,” says SoCal Premier President Matt Morse. “We are eager to work with NISA to identify additional high-level solutions for amateur soccer to Southern California. This affiliation continues us on a path to provide players an opportunity to play the game at a very high level. This is something we have been seeking and planning for over the last 10 years.”
SoCal Premier’s top division (Premier) boasts 11 teams from across southern California, including: FC Golden State, Chula Vista FC, Real Sociedad Royals, LA Monster Crew, FC FCUK, Olympiacos CA, City Legends FC, and Lobos FC. Newcomers for 2021 include MAGIA Futbol Academy, LA Power, and Forza Soccer Academy. These teams will be vying for a spot in the 2022 NISA Independent Cup along with a spot for one of our U23 teams.
SoCal Premier began as an adult league out of Orange County in 1976 with a small group of teams. In 2018, SoCal Premier merged with West Coast Adult Soccer League (WCASL) to create southern California’s only organization to provide high-level amateur and grassroots competition for players from ages 15 to 65+ years old.
Correction: Initially the SoCal Premier start date for the season was incorrect and is corrected now. We apologize for any confusion.
The post PRO AND AMATEUR SOCCER COLLABORATION: NISA AFFILIATES WITH SOCAL PREMIER appeared first on SoccerToday.
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