Derek Potteiger Named City Islanders Academy Director of Youth Development
Published on July 26, 2005 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Harrisburg, Pa., July 26, 2005) - The Harrisburg City Islanders have announced that Derek Potteiger has been named Director of Youth Development for the City Islanders Academy. Potteiger will be primarily responsible for the management of the Academy's Super-Y League and youth training programs, which are designed to maximize the potential of area youth players and prepare them for professional competition.
"We couldn't ask for a better role model for the youth players of the region than Derek," City Islanders President Eric Pettis said of Potteiger, a product of Cumberland Valley High School and Penn State University who has served as the team's captain since its inception and was an All-League selection in 2004. "We are truly fortunate to have him guiding the Academy, which we continue to build into an premier program. We eagerly anticipate the day when the City Islanders' pro roster features one or more Academy products."
Additionally City Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher will assume the role of Coaching Director for the Academy. Becher, who led the City Islanders professional team to a 10-7-3 record as an expansion team and an 8-3-5 mark so far this season, has served as Coaching Director for the Lower Dauphin Soccer Association since 1996 and will continue in that capacity.
In a related announcement, the City Islanders have formed a strategic partnership with the "In The Net" sports complex located in Palmyra, Pa. "In The Net," which has been the site of City Islanders tryouts and practices since January 2005, will be dubbed the "Official Training Facility of the Harrisburg City Islanders." The facility will also host matches, tryouts, and training for the City Islanders Academy Super-Y teams.
As part of the agreement, the City Islanders will work directly with "In The Net" management to develop, implement, and administer Central Pennsylvania's only premier level invitational soccer leagues and tournaments beginning this Fall. The City Islanders will also offer a full line of instructional Academy and Clinic programs for players of all skill levels on a year-round basis. Many of these programs will be officially unveiled at "In The Net's" Open House weekend on August 5 and 6, 2005.
"This is a great opportunity for us to partner with a tremendous facility in playing a significant role in the development of youth soccer in the region, all while creating a strong foundation for the professional team," said City Islanders General Manager Joe Sierko.
"We are very excited about working with the City Islanders to develop a premier soccer program appropriate for the first-class atmosphere of our facility," said "In The Net" General Manager Kay Arnold.
About the Harrisburg City Islanders The Harrisburg City Islanders are in their second season of play in the nine-team USL Second Division. The City Islanders' 20-game (10 home, 10 away) regular season schedule kicked off on April 16 and will run through August 13, with home games played at scenic Skyline Sports Complex on City Island in Harrisburg, Pa.
The club's inaugural season included a 10-7-3 record, a playoff berth, and three standing room only crowds. The City Islanders have posted a 8-3-5 record and are once again in position to contend for a playoff spot in 2005.
For more, visit www.cityislanders.com.
About the City Islanders Academy
For the 2005 season, the City Islanders Academy is fielding seven teams in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Super Y-League's Northeast Conference. The teams are playing from 10-14 game regular season schedules, all ending by the middle of August. In 2006, the City Islanders Academy plans to field the maximum of 14 Super-Y League teams (U13 - U19 Boys and Girls).
In the coming months, the Academy will introduce a complete line of soccer development programs, featuring camps and clinics on a year-round basis.
For more on the City Islanders Academy, visit www.cityislanders.com or www.superyleague.com.
About "In The Net"
"In The Net," located at 798 Airport Road in Palmyra, Pa., is the official training facility of the Harrisburg City Islanders. As the premier sports facility in Central Pennsylvania, "In The Net" features four first-class fields, professional, committed staff, and the most modern amenities possible.
For more, visit www.inthenet.com or call 866-838-8706.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 26, 2005
- Cincinnati Kings drop 3-2 contest at Pittsburgh - Cincinnati Kings
- Derek Potteiger Named City Islanders Academy Director of Youth Development - Penn FC
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