Women's Professional Soccer Announces Grassroots Partnerships

In an effort to enhance the growth, visibility, and development of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) in the United States, WPS has partnered with five grassroots organizations.

The grass roots organizations are AYSO (American Youth Soccer Association), NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America), USASA (United States Adult Soccer Association), US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer.

Grassroots partnerships are seen as a critical link to the American Soccer Family and to participants of the game of soccer across the country.

These partnerships link WPS to well over four million association members and integrate the league into the U.S. soccer landscape from weeknight youth practices to weekend tournaments, junior leagues to elite level competitions.

“We are a grassroots league and our grassroots partnerships are a key component to our growth and outreach into soccer communities across the U.S.,” said WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci.

“WPS is building strong relationships with our soccer communities, connecting us to our fan base. We hope everyone has the opportunity to experience WPS this season and in coming years, and to earn their support as the world’s premier soccer league for women.”

A list of the WPS grassroots partners and select activities with each includes:

• AYSO—Provides WPS with the Unique Ambassador Program, linking WPS teams to local top-level AYSO volunteers.
• NSCAA—Plays host to the WPS Draft at their annual NSCAA Convention.
• USASA—Its National Select Team, as part of their Elite Players Program, will play WPS teams in exhibition matches.
• US Club Soccer—Will provide targeted WPS ticket offers and other timely information to its membership and will help to facilitate a direct link to competitive girls clubs and leagues through US Club Soccer partners such as the newly formed Elite Clubs National League.
• US Youth Soccer—Will offer regular WPS updates to its membership, as the largest youth soccer organization in the U.S. with over three million members.

All WPS grassroots partners are offered discounted WPS tickets, player appearances at camps, and in-game promotions. WPS grassroots partners also receive in-game signage and promotions in league programs and printed material.

About Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)
The mission of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is to be the premier women’s soccer league in the world and the global standard by which women’s professional sports are measured. 

The Inaugural Season kicked off on March 29 and runs through August 22, 2009, with WPS teams based in the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.  The league’s eighth franchise, Philadelphia, will begin play next season with Atlanta expected to join as the ninth team in 2010, as well. For more information, visit www.womensprosoccer.com.

About the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO)
The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is the largest single-entity youth soccer association in the U.S. with over 600,000 registered players and 225,000 volunteers. AYSO develops and delivers quality youth soccer programs in a fun, safe environment based on the five Philosophies of Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching and Good Sportsmanship. To learn more about AYSO and how you can become a part of AYSO, contact (800) USA-AYSO or visit www.soccer.org.

About the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)
From its humble beginnings in 1941, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) has grown to become the world’s largest single-sport coaches' organization. The NSCAA's mission is to help its members excel in their coaching careers by offering numerous coaching education programs as well as Convention and member services. For more information about the NSCAA, visit www.nscaa.com.

About the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA)
The United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) is a National Organization member of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and is currently the only adult soccer member organization of USSF. USASA operates 54 national state associations through its local members and is the USSF affiliation for the PDL of the United Soccer Leagues (USL), the Women’s Premier Soccer League, the Men’s Premier Soccer League, as well as several regional interstate soccer leagues.

In addition, AYSO is an adult soccer member of USASA as AYSO continues its efforts to offer adult play among its parents, volunteers, and youth players who have advanced to adult age. USASA stages national competitions for club teams, veteran’s teams, and coed teams annually, as well as staging a national player development program. For more information about USASA, visit www.usasa.com.

About US Club Soccer
US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. It has been a member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001 and has grown to over 2,300 member clubs and leagues in 49 states.

In addition to administering and sanctioning tournaments, leagues and other competitions as well as offering a range of programs for its members, US Club Soccer annually conducts the National Cup and the National Collegiate Showcase. US Club Soccer also directs its own annual player identification and development program—id2. For more information about US Club Soccer, visit www.usclubsoccer.com.

About US Youth Soccer
US Youth Soccer—The Game for ALL Kids!®—is the largest youth sports organization in the country. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3.2 million players annually, ages five to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member state associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.

The above article is excerpted from a press release by thew Women's Professional Soccer League. Todd Civin is a freelance writer who writes for the Bleacher Report. Please feel free to contact him at [e-mail] with comments or story leads.

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