Richmond, VA (January 6, 2009) – In the true spirit of putting players’ interests first, the Richmond Strikers Soccer Club and Chesterfield United FC have agreed to step outside of traditional competitive soccer practices and forge an affiliation aimed at improving overall player development opportunities for soccer players at both clubs.  This relationship represents a progressive approach and a new direction for youth soccer where two clubs utilize their combined resources to create the best player environment possible while remaining independent organizations. This affiliation is built on mutual respect for each club’s history, coaching staff, management and players. “This is a case where both clubs share common philosophies and goals as well as recognize the value of working together in key areas that will result in direct benefits for our players,” says Scott Turner, Executive Director of the Richmond Strikers and  Kevin Blake, President of Chesterfield United FC.

According to Kevin Darcy of Chesterfield United, “The Strikers have established themselves as one of the top youth clubs in the United States and we are very proud to enter into this affiliation because we both believe that the development of the players comes first. This affiliation is a great opportunity for United FC as it creates many more player development options and won’t limit our club or compromise our product. At United FC, we continue to raise the standards for our players, coaches and our club and realize to further succeed we need to build relationships with quality organizations like the Strikers.”

One area in particular that will be a focus of this new affiliation is the “Academy” program, recently established by the United States Soccer Federation’s (USSF). The Richmond Strikers have been invited to join this elite group of national clubs. The Strikers have two Academy teams at the U-16 and U-18 age groups who play other club’s Academy teams across the nation. “We want to share our experience and relationship with USSOCCER’s Academy program with United FC giving their high performing players access to this program. We believe that like the Strikers, United FC is progressive and sees the value in a shared player development environment instead of a win-at-all cost territorial approach to youth soccer,” states Bob Jenkins, director of coaching for the Richmond Strikers, and former U-18 US Men’s National Team Coach.  Bob also acted as head of the US Soccer’s coaching education and youth development and has developed the manual used across the country as a reference for best practices for soccer education and training.

The two clubs will begin working together immediately and look forward to forging a new path and establishing a model that other youth soccer clubs across the nation can adopt. The future looks very bright for youth soccer in central Virginia.

About the Richmond Strikers:

The Richmond Strikers Soccer Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The Strikers offer two broad categories of youth soccer programs: recreation and travel. Over 3,000 soccer players ranging from four to 18 years of age play in the Strikers’ recreation teams during the fall and spring seasons. The Strikers travel program consists of over 700 players who compete in Premier Tournaments nationwide; many players have moved into the collegiate ranks to play soccer. The Richmond Strikers carry a high honor of being named one of 45 NIKE Premier Soccer Clubs as well as part of the USSOCCER Academy program. The Strikers also run a summer adult soccer program, as well as youth soccer camps. For more information, including complete tournament information, please visit: www.richmondstrikers.com.

About Chesterfield United FC:

Chesterfield United FC is a result of 28 years of club development and evolution. On May 1st of 2008 Chesterfield United Soccer Club made a subtle name change from “Soccer Club” to “Football Club” and is now known as Chesterfield United Football Club, Chesterfield United FC, CUFC or “United FC”. Chesterfield United FC is a 501-C3 non-profit organization based out of Richmond, Virginia in Chesterfield County.  United FC is comprised of three core programs which include recreational leagues, developmental programs and travel teams.  The recreational league takes place over two seasons with around 1000 players per season.  The competitive travel club program of 35+ teams as well as a developmental program that includes the United Kick Start classes (3-5 yrs), the United Development Program "UDP" (5-12 yrs), Coerver training, along with our United FC Summer Camp Series serves boy’s and girl’s of all ages.   The clubs priorities of; recreational leagues, travel teams and developmental programs offer a variety of playing levels, developmental options, cost packages, and opportunities for the players in the greater Richmond area.  For more information please visit:: www.chesterfieldunited.com.