Next Generation Series News Release
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues announced today that FC Nashville has been accepted into the Next Generation Series, an exciting, new youth soccer initiative undertaken by USL and IMG Academy, established to provide players, coaches and clubs the opportunity to take part in an eight month, elite-level league.
The 2013 NGS format will consist of U12 and U14 boys and girls teams participating in an eight-month season beginning in August and culminating in April that will feature two evaluation/competition events at IMG. Top players will be identified through the NGS Player Tracking Program and invited to attend the NGS ID Training Camp at IMG.
Led by former U.S Men’s National Team member Desmond Armstrong, FC Nashville is hoping to find and develop talent and put players on a larger stage.
"NGS provides my players and opportunity for greater exposure and competition beyond their traditional state league," Armstrong said. "The long-term benefits of the NGS format are that there will be more training times in preparation for matches, which is vitally important at these ages, so that it lays the foundation for player success when they are older competing for spots at the next levels."
More than just another youth soccer league, NGS features a forward-looking, innovative, comprehensive, and unique development program designed to develop the complete elite youth soccer player through a defined regimen of training, competition, testing, and evaluation.
“We are excited to have accepted FC Nashville into the Next Generation Series,” NGS Director Abe Thompson said. “FC Nashville’s players will have the unique experience of being part of an elite competition while benefitting from the facilities and expertise available at IMG Academy. The NGS will help players improve by offering them challenging games, as well as exposing them at a younger age to the type of evaluation and education they will see at higher levels, whether that be a youth national team, college, professional team, or full national team. FC Nashville is a strong addition to the NGS, and are committed to helping their players maximize their potential and develop into the best players possible.”
The inspiration for NGS was the repeated and consistent message received from top youth soccer clubs and coaches that they were seeking a fresh development initiative specifically geared toward younger teams and players. NGS was launched to fill the void by providing a comprehensive platform for clubs to best prepare their young players for the challenges which await them at the next level.
"My goal for joining NGS is to provide broader opportunities for my players, some of whom are refugees, who have a limited geographic range to display their talents," Armstrong continued. "Our three tenets are Development-Competition-Exposure, NGS provides the vehicle by which we will touch each of these while drawing from its vast professional resources."
The world’s largest and most advanced multi-sport training and education complex, IMG Academy hosted myriad soccer team training camps in 2012, including clubs such as the Seattle Sounders, D.C. United, Columbus Crew, Sweden’s Malmö FF, as well as the U.S. Women’s National Team preparing for the London Olympic Games and the Antigua & Barbuda Men’s National Team preparing for World Cup qualifying.
To learn more about the Next Generation Series please visit www.NGSsoccer.com.