Fredericksburg, VA-
The FC Fredericksburg Gunners and the Fredericksburg Area Soccer Association (FASA) have announced officially a relationship to take soccer in the Central Virginia Area to new heights. On February 18th, FASA’s board took its turn voting to begin brining the area’s two organizations into a direction together. The Gunners’ board voted earlier in the month to submit an official agreement to strengthen the two brands and to begin uniting the area for one common cause. FASA’s board overwhelmingly agreed this was the right time to take this step and passed the measure. FC Fredericksburg’s General Manager said, “This is an exciting time for the Fredericksburg Area. With FASA’s board voting to begin bringing the two organizations together, I feel we are all moving into a period of great growth, opportunities, and success in the region. With this [the Gunners] organization providing the vertically integrated system with PDL and W-League, Super 20’, Super Y, and the Academy, and FASA bringing the players, strong community relationships, and their history, I believe we are moving in a more than positive direction. We are striving to create a new environment for player development here and FASA wants to do the same. There is a new spirit in Fredericksburg. A spirit that is revitalizing the soccer community and giving energy to everything that is going on. I look forward to seeing what together we can accomplish and what it will ultimately mean ten years from now. We are truly in a unique period of time here in Fredericksburg as we are about to embark on something very special.”
The partnership, from a player development perspective, will provide an increased opportunity for players to start at age four within the ASDL program, progress into the Classic and Travel programs, participate at various camps and the Super Y Academy, and into to the Super Y program through the Super 20’s and the PDL & W-League. Where players used to leave when they ran out of options to progress as a player, they are now provided those same opportunities without leaving Fredericksburg. Up until now, local players had no choice but to leave and head North or South to accomplish this. Programs such as the College Prep program and others will begin to strengthen and be more organized. In the past, FASA has been extremely successful in helping local athletes fulfill their dreams of playing soccer in College and the Gunners have already proven their ability to place players. Now, that success will be magnified. The FASA / Gunner partnership will increase overall expertise and management, increase club, collegiate, and other contacts, and provide the steps needed to help area athletes get to the Collegiate level.
Matt Galligan, FASA’s President said, “As a part of FASA for many years, both as a coach and now as President, my priorities have always been to offer the best in training, player development, playing options, and avenues of success for our players. This partnership covers all of that. With an already strong coaching staff here at FASA, the Gunners will offer a highly skilled professional coaching staff that bolsters what we currently have. They bring the Coerver method of skill instruction that is proven world wide to be highly effective. No longer will area players have to travel to Richmond or Northern VA to be part of Super Y. It is now in our own back yard. Under the FASA/Gunners’ Partnership, we now have the top level of women’s soccer in North America with the W-League and the top amateur men’s league in North America (PDL) here also. As a fan of this wonderful sport, I am excited for all of the players in the surrounding areas that now have so many options all under the FASA/Gunner partnership. The future is indeed bright for them.”
FASA Coaching Director, Pete Cinalli added, “I see this exclusive partnership as an incredible opportunity for our coaches and players. The heart, backbone and main reason for our explosive growth has been our outstanding coaching staff. We have an amazing group of highly educated, dedicated and motivated coaches that are totally focused on player development. As part of the Gunner coaching staff as well, I feel the exact same way about that staff. The synergies between the organizations will result in both becoming stronger! Together I feel we will offer players one of the most qualified and talented coaching organizations in the state and beyond.”
