NPSL Provides Pathway for Community Soccer Growth
Want to be a part of the big movement participating in soccer? The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) may be the right choice for you — as a player or as someone who wants to kick off a new amateur men’s soccer team.
The NPSL is welcoming several new expansion clubs for the upcoming 2017 season and as the growth of soccer in the United States continues, new soccer clubs emerge — discovering how easy the NPSL is to join. With a cost-effective model, the NPSL provides an option for new soccer teams to bring the beautiful game to their communities.
Soccer News: As the growth of soccer continues to reach all regions of the country, the presence of established and recognizable amateur programs remains on the forefront for cities seeking to tap into the soccer market.
The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) has continued to reach communities across the country.
The NPSL is the largest national men’s league in the country.
There were 84 teams competing in the NPSL last year and there are several new teams joining for the upcoming season. At least a dozen new expansion teams will be announced in the near future — some in new markets.
“The NPSL is member driven and we are not franchise,” says Joe Barone, the Chairman of the NPSL. “There are no franchise fees that need to be paid out so we have a very attractive format for teams. The NPSL is very committed to supporting out teams. We are about giving back.”
“The teams that make the NPSL playoff receive funds from the league to help subsidize their travel costs,” says Barone.
In fact, the NPSL is close to announcing the details of its annual Player Showcase. The NPSL is the only national league other than Major League Soccer (MLS) that funds an annual event with the purpose of promoting its top players.
Who plays in the NPSL?
The average age of the NPSL player is just over 23 years of age based upon a review of a total of 2,677 players registered last season. Sixty percent of the NPSL player base are collegiate players.
“And, even though this is an amateur league, we allow professional players to register. The NPSL is focused on growing the game of soccer across America and sharing the passion we all feel.”
With Asheville City Soccer Club, FC Arizona and Kitsap Soccer Club all set to begin play in 2017, the opportunity to grow the game is welcomed with a strong model by the NPSL that is dedicated to providing a cost-effective option for teams.
“NPSL was conceived by its member teams to grow the sport in the U.S. and provide turnkey, cost-effective options for teams to exist in the largest national amateur men’s league in the country,” says NPSL Managing Director Jef Thiffault.
“All aspects of NPSL continue to grow in tandem with the explosive growth of soccer in the U.S.,” says Thiffault. “I believe the NPSL remains the best option to create a successful team that impacts its community.”
With NPSL’s new teams — Asheville City Soccer Club, FC Arizona, Orange County FC and Kitsap Soccer Club — all set to begin play in 2017, the opportunity to grow the game is welcomed with a strong model by the NPSL that is dedicated to providing a cost-effective option for teams.
Soccer players often dream of going pro and the NPSL has helped average of 15 to 20 players annually join the ranks of professional soccer in the US and abroad.
“The NPSL is one of the best stories in American soccer and we continue to experience unprecedented interest from expansion candidates all across the country,” says Thiffault. “We want to bring great soccer to as many communities as we can.”
Editor’s Note: The NPSL map reflects last season and is updated for the upcoming season.