USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Partner with Mechanicsville United

Published on March 19, 2013 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Tuesday, March 19, 2013) - The Richmond Kickers and Mechanicsville United FC are pleased to announce a comprehensive club and player development alliance that will focus on increasing and enhancing travel team opportunities for the Hanover and Eastern Henrico region. Beginning with the 2013-14 season, the Mechanicsville United FC travel program will rebrand to Richmond Kickers Mechanicsville, joining the Kickers Classic travel program.

"We are excited to partner with Manny Tavares, Warren Pratt and Mechanicsville United FC," commented Rob Ukrop, Richmond Kickers President, Board of Directors. "We believe offering Richmond Kickers Mechanicsville travel teams will enhance both organizations by helping both clubs achieve their shared goal of providing affordable and quality soccer programming across the Eastern Henrico and Hanover region. We pride ourselves on collaborating with community clubs like Mechanicsville United that share the same passion for developing young people through the beautiful game. We look forward to working with Manny and Warren to enhance the travel team program he has established."

"The Richmond Kickers Mechanicsville travel teams are a great addition to the Kickers Classic travel program," commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. "Both organizations pride themselves on offering opportunities for all players who want to play the beautiful game of soccer. Mechanicsville United have become a true community club and we look forward to helping enhance and grow the travel teams that Manny, Warren and their staff have established."

Directed by Manny Tavares, Richmond Kickers Mechanicsville travel teams will continue to train and play at Pole Green Park and Courthouse Park with tryouts and registration taking place this spring. The teams will merge into the Kickers Classic Program, which provides a competitive environment that falls between Elite Travel and Recreational Programs. The ADP and U9 teams will participate in the Kickers highly regarded in-house programs while the U10 through U12 teams will compete locally in the Advanced Development Soccer League (ADSL), eliminating the need for excessive travel trips to Virginia Beach.

In addition to the traditional fall and spring season, Kickers Mechanicsville players will receive Summer Training, Winter Training, 2-4 tournaments and wear the new Kickers adidas uniforms. All teams will also don the Mechanicsville United FC logo on the uniform sleeve in recognition of the partnership.

"Our membership and coaches are very excited to partner with Richmond Kickers," said Tavares. "Mechanicsville United FC and Richmond Kickers share the same goal of providing a quality soccer program that families of Hanover County and Eastern Henrico have become accustomed to with Mechanicsville United FC. Richmond Kickers Mechanicsville allows us to carry on our mission to be a community club offering quality soccer. The growth of our travel program has been fantastic and an alliance with Kickers is a dream come true."

The Richmond Kickers Advanced Development Program (ADP) at Pearson's Corner Elementary School provides a natural development program for Richmond Kickers Mechanicsville travel teams. Shaping the future of youth soccer, Kickers ADP is designed to introduce talented 6-8 year olds to the fundamental technical skills and decision-making needed to participate on travel teams. With over 80% of the Kickers 2012-13 U9 travel teams comprised of former ADP players, Kickers ADP is demonstrating unprecedented success offering a seamless transition from recreational to competitive soccer.

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