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Watchung Hills SA/Match Fit Academy Announce Partnership for NJ Elite Program

As many of you may have seen, WHSA announced a new training partnership and program this morning (see press release below).  We realize you may have some questions, so wanted to share some additional information with you:
 
1) The goal of this program is to keep players in our club rather than have them look for opportunities elsewhere.  Players participating in the NJ Elite Program will have a heavier commitment level through additional training sessions and tournament play.
2) Match Fit and United Soccer Academy will train these teams.  We will hold mandatory parent meetings with current teams that will qualify for this program and we will reach out to those teams in a separate email. 
3) We expect to add additional teams in future seasons.   However, we will not offer the NJ Elite Program at the U9 and U10 age groups as we do not believe players have reached a point in their development where they should entertain a heavier commitment level.
4) Tryouts for NJ Elite teams and WHSA travel teams will occur at the same time.  The tryout schedule and pricing for NJ Elite teams will be released soon.
We are very excited about this announcement and look forward to chatting more with everyone in the coming weeks!!
 
Thanks,
Frank Sena
WHSA President 

 

PRESS RELEASE

(March 14, 2019) - Watchung Hills Soccer Association (WHSA) and Match Fit Academy FC (MFAFC) are pleased to announce their Strategic Training Partnership.  In conjunction with this new partnership, WHSA is also proud to announce the expansion of its NJ Elite Program to include NJ Elite teams at certain age groups. MFAFC trainers will coach and train many of those teams.
 
WHSA has had a strong track record of developing highly competitive youth boys' and girls' soccer teams. The WHSA NJ Elite teams will continue to build upon WHSA's successful NJ Elite and Travel Programs and provide all players a potential pathway to ECNL and NPL through the partnership with MFAFC.
 
NJ Elite will build upon the success of the current NJ Elite and WHSA Travel programs by bridging the competitive gap between those two programs.  NJ Elite teams will initially compete in EDP mid to upper level flights and provide another level of play for the committed soccer player. 
 
NJ Elite teams will be reserved for players seeking a higher, more committed level of competition and will have the following key features:
 
  • Full time Professional staff coach/trainer
  • Oversight by MFAFC and WHSA Directors of Coaching
  • Access to ECNL and NPL Boys and Girls programs through MFAFC
  • Player pathway through collaboration
  • All training and match play will continue out of WHSA's turf facilities
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"We are extremely excited to partner with WHSA to develop their NJ Elite teams. WHSA has a proven track record of player development from grass roots to their NJ Elite program since their inception. Our partnership will allow for a player pathway to our ECNL Boys and Girls program while aiding the development of players at all levels within WHSA and the surrounding area. Like-minded clubs working toward the common goal of fostering development embodies our partnership model and WHSA is another ideal partner for us at MFAFC"- Chris Leahey, MFAFC Executive Director & Boys ECNL Director
 
"We are very excited to partner with Match Fit. This new partnership will allow us to provide our players another pathway from their initial youth development, to academy level play, and ultimately to college. We have a great new structure, as part of this launch with MFAFC, that will promote player development and give more opportunities to our NJ Elite teams."- Antonio Pagkalinawan, WHSA Vice President
 
"As the soccer landscape continues to evolve in New Jersey, we will continue to enhance our programs to provide players with an exceptional environment to develop their soccer skills and compete at the highest levels.  With the addition of NJ Elite Orange, WHSA now offers a complete range of soccer options for area children.  From our in-town recreation program, sending district travel teams, NJ Elite to NJ Elite Gold, every player has an opportunity to play in our club at the right competitive level. The partnership with MFAFC allows us to execute on this strategy and provide a player pathway for all our players.  We are thrilled with the MFAFC partnership and look forward to working with them to support our NJ Elite teams."- Frank Sena, WHSA President
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