WPSL Elite League's Western New York Flash Announce Youth Academy

May 22, 2012 - PRLog -- The 2012 Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite League and 2011 WPS Champion Western New York Flash and Sahlen Sports Park are excited to announce that they are launching a youth academy for boys and girls, ages U-10 through U-12 (birth years are August 1, 2002, to August 1, 2000.) This program comes on the heels of the WNY Flash's second consecutive championship, the second year of the Euro Champions and twelfth year of the Champions League at Sahlen Sports Park.

"We always have considered ourselves at the forefront of youth soccer in the area from the day that we opened," Sahlen Sports Park President Alex Sahlen states. “We have continued to upgrade our staff to meet the demands of the community and our patrons and are excited to be committing ourselves year-round to the development of youth players in the area professionally.”

This program is geared towards developing youth players who aspire to play at an elite level. The players will train from October through to the end of July, participating in indoor and outdoor leagues and tournaments. This developmental Academy will implement U.S. Soccer's age-specific curriculum, ensuring that players gain the appropriate skills needed to play at the advanced level.

"Ages 8 through to 12 are what I like to call the 'golden age.' These are the years where the children really take in information and are able to apply and learn with ease," Technical Director and WNY Flash Head Coach Aaran Lines says. “Not only do we have a professional staff, but we have a top facility in which we can call our home. Players are able to learn from current and former professional players who know what it takes to get to the highest level of the game. These facets of our club create an unrivaled training environment for the players to improve and progress while competing against top clubs throughout the Northeast and Canada.”

New Director of Coaching Hubert Busby is just as excited. "Over the past few weeks I really have had the time to work with some of the youth in the area and its been very promising. This area has a lot of potential to make a big impact on the National level if placed in the right environment and curriculum with professional coaches and role models," Busby says.

Assessments (try-outs) for these teams are taking place in July. Further information can be found on our website at www.wnyflash.com.

“Join the Pros"!

About the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL):
The Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is the largest national Women’s Soccer League in the world. With more than 70-plus women’s soccer teams, the WPSL is the leading amateur soccer league in America. The league is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) as an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The WPSL's mission is to provide opportunities to further the women’s soccer game for the aspiring professional, international-level players and passionate amateurs. The WPSL season brings affordable and quality family entertainment to the community, displays positive role models for our youth and offers the essential connection between youth and pro women’s soccer in America.

About the WPSL Elite League:
With the addition of three former Women's Professional Soccer teams, the WPSL Elite League is now the highest level women's soccer league in America. The leage features eight teams: Former WPS franchises Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, and 2011 WPS Champion Western New York Flash; WPSL teams  ASA Chesapeake Charge, FC Indiana, New England Mutiny and New York Fury; and the independant Philadelphia Fever

About the WNY Flash:
The WNY Flash joined Women’s Professional Soccer as an expansion club in September of 2010, directly following the club’s decisive W-League Championship as the Buffalo Flash in July of 2010. The Flash play all home games at the Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester NY, home to the Rochester Rhinos. The Flash train out of owner, Joe Sahlen’s, indoor soccer facility, Sahlen Sports Park, in Elma, NY. The Flash colors are Red, Yellow, and Black, to match the Sahlen entities: Sahlen Packing Co., Sahlen Sports Park, and Team Sahlen racing team. The WNY Flash posted a 13-2-3 record (42 points) in their inaugural campaign, taking first place and the Regular Season Championship. On August 27, 2011, the Western New York Flash defeated the Philadelphia Independence to capture the WPS Championship title in front of a record crowd of over 10,000 fans at Sahlen’s Stadium. After the WPS suspended operations for the 2012 season, the Flash joined the WPSL Elite League along with the Boston Breakers.

For more information please visit http://www.WPSL.info or email Media@WPSL.info