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In a collaborative effort to help advance the sport of soccer in Nevada, Las Vegas Lights FC has entered a strategic partnership with both the Nevada Youth Soccer Association (NYSA) and the Nevada Adult Soccer Association (NASA).
The highlight of the effort to grow the sport in the club’s home city and state will be a unique and bold guarantee – Lights FC will ensure that at least one roster spot each season is reserved for a player with Las Vegas roots and ties. The effort to locate that player begins with this weekend’s Lights FC Las Vegas Player Combine, taking place Saturday, December 9 and Sunday, December 10 at Kellogg Zaher Soccer Complex.
More than 700 players from the area are registered to participate in the event, which will be open to both the media and the public. The Player Combine is free for the public to attend, with gates opening at 9:30 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Action will run until 7 p.m. on Saturday, then until between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Head coach José Luis Sánchez Solá and his staff will oversee the Player Combine, looking to fulfill the goal he clearly stated last month during his introductory press conference of finding players who “smell like” Las Vegas.
“As far as we know, we are going to be the first professional club ever to make a guarantee like this to our local community, falling perfectly in sync with the ethos of our club – by Las Vegas, for Las Vegas and of Las Vegas” said Lights FC owner & CEO Brett Lashbrook. “Our roster will be comprised of players from all around the globe, but it also needs that local flavor, and I’m proud to say that every season, that flavor and local talent will have a guaranteed place on our roster.
“Simply put, our partnership with Nevada Youth Soccer Association & Nevada Adult Soccer Association is aimed to help all levels of soccer in Nevada. We want to ensure that all players of all ages get the same opportunities to realize their full potential. A rising tide lifts all ships, and the initiatives we will launch in conjunction with NYSA and NASA will further prove that to be true.”
The multi-platform agreement between Lights FC and both the NYSA and NASA will be wide-ranging and aim to increase membership within the organizations. Several joint educational programs will be launched, focusing on areas such as health, nutrition and medical & scientific initiatives within the game.
“With the arrival of the Las Vegas Lights FC, our youth players now have their own Las Vegas side to support,” said Guy Hobbs, President of NYSA. “The partnership with the team will also provide for amazing opportunities for our youth players to not only watch soccer at a professional level, but to also learn from the players and coaching staff through clinics and other interactive sessions. The Lights reserving a roster spot for locally developed talent – which is a remarkable commitment on the part of the team to the Las Vegas player community – will undoubtedly motivate our very talented local players to reach their fullest potential. We could not be more thrilled to have the Lights at the pinnacle of Las Vegas soccer, and we are proud to be in partnership with an organization that is committed to both the game of soccer and the Las Vegas community.”
ABOUT NEVADA YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION
The Nevada Youth Soccer Association is a member of U.S. Youth Soccer, and is the official youth representative of the United States Soccer Federation in Nevada. NYSA offers opportunities to players of all levels from ages 4 through 18, plus a comprehensive set of membership benefits. Those include medical and liability insurance, educational opportunities, membership in worldwide organizations and progressive 21st century governance and risk management.
ABOUT NEVADA ADULT SOCCER ASSOCIATION
The Nevada Adult Soccer Association is a part of the United States Adult Soccer Association, which is the country’s premier national soccer organization, dedicated to participation in, enjoyment and growth of adult soccer across America. The USASA is recognized for providing leadership and valued programs, resources and services to support its member organizations. Goals include assisting local communities in developing, improving and securing quality soccer fields and facilities, providing competitions and programs that encourage participation and growth of member organizations, plus developing, strengthening and promoting a unified soccer community.
ABOUT LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC
Lights FC, the 33rd team in the USL, will begin preseason play at Cashman Field in February 2018, with a home schedule of 20-plus matches running through at least October 2018. While sharing Cashman Field during the inaugural season with the Las Vegas 51s, the stadium and playing surface will be converted to a fully natural grass playing turf to provide and intimate, authentic soccer environment for each home match.
