Second Annual NPSL Combine
Soccer News: The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) announced its second annual combine will take place in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on January 8-10, 2016. The event is hosted by Lockhart Stadium, the home of the NASL’s Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. The Strikers recently entered a reserve team in the NPSL for the 2016 season.
The Combine Committee is led by Combine Chairman Kenny Farrell (New Orleans Jesters) and Vice Chairman Terry Lawriw (AFC Cleveland).
The combine provides the opportunity for the best players in the NPSL to be evaluated by the top professional coaches in the U.S. and Canada. This event is exclusive to registered NPSL players from the 2015 season. There is no combine fee and costs are covered completely by the NPSL while the player is at the event.
“The goal of this event is to give young, developing players the opportunity to be recognized and get to the next level, and realize their dreams. We did not want to inhibit players who may have financial constraints,” Farrell remarked. “This is an important commitment from the league to its teams and players, and provides an opportunity for professional coaches to experience the talent in the NPSL. We think people will be impressed with what they see.”
The player pool for the combine will consist of no more than 18 players on each regional team representing the West, Midwest, Northeast, and South. Selected players will represent their respective regions in inter-regional matches. A showcase training session will take place on Friday evening, and matches are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Further details, including the exact schedule of events, will be announced in the near future.
NPSL clubs nominated their top players for consideration to represent their region. Nominations were then reviewed by regional committees and the final invite and alternate list were determined. Nominated players will be asked to follow up with their bios, and all registered coaches and agents will receive a comprehensive combine and player information packet upon check- in.
As part of a two-year agreement, PUMA, the technical sponsor of the NPSL, will also serve as the combine’s official sponsor. Mitre, the official match ball of the NPSL, will provide balls for each match.
Coaches, agents, and scouts are asked to register with the league by emailing tournament@NPSLsoccer.net. Family, supporters, and fans are welcome and encouraged to attend. Admission to the combine is free.
Photo Credit: Brent Durken
