Brandon FC Announce WPSL Franchise

Brandon FC Announce WPSL Franchise
By Tamas Mondovics
Brandon Area Youth Soccer League (BAYSL) recently announced its decision to join the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) for the 2010 season, fusing the team as part of BAYSL’s competitive division and assuming the Brandon FC moniker. Brandon FC is scheduled to compete in the Sunshine Conference against fellow in-state members Palm Beach United, FSA Freedom, South Florida Strikers and Miami Kickers.According to BAYSL spokesperson Monika McCallum, the club’s WPSL team will now provide an opportunity for the top female soccer players from Florida to compete in one of the nation’s best women’s soccer leagues. The team will cap the youth development program in the girl’s game. The WPSL is a 50-plus national league with five conferences starting in 2010 and is the largest women’s soccer league in the world. 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 the highest level of soccer in an effort to bring affordable and quality family entertainment to the community and display positive role models for our youth while, being a stepping stone for aspiring players to Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). BAYSL Director Gary Rach spoke highly of the direction the club is taking and sees the benefits of the recent changes. “This incredible opportunity to become one of the 50 elite organizations across the country, which competes in the WPSL, is a tremendous honor for our club,” said Rach. “Our youth players will be better prepared for the college game, as they will have the opportunity to view, train and compete with women’s college players before they get there.”Brandon FC is now set to train and play its home games at the newly expanded JC Handley Park Athletic Complex, located at 3104 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon, which boasts of three new fields and a state-of-the-art turf field. The team will feature players from some of the top college programs in the South.All of this adds nicely to BAYSL and its long-time positive past serving the community as the largest youth soccer organization in the greater Brandon area. Founded in 1975, it was motivated by the mission to promote the sport of soccer with an emphasis on youth development, while providing each player the opportunity to play soccer in a supportive and rewarding environment that emphasizes fun, enjoyment and skill learning at a level that fits his or her interest and ability, and  creating a challenging environment for those who seek to reach their full potential.For more information about BAYSL, visit www.brandonsoccer.com or www.wpsl.info, or e-mail media@wpslsoccer.com.