Youth Soccer News: San Diego Surf Soccer Club Grows Affiliate Network Adding San Clemente Surf Soccer Club
The San Diego Surf Soccer Club welcomes SC United into the Surf SC’s affiliate program this week. The new affiliate joins Anaheim, Hawaii, Inland Empire, Murrieta and Utah Surf SC affiliates, and will become “San Clemente Surf Soccer Club” beginning this season.
“We’re thrilled to partner with such a quality, up-and-coming organization. SC United has that special combination of coaching quality, administrative professionalism, field access and organizational ambition that we look for in each Surf affiliate. We see big things in their future and plan to invest in their success going forward,” said Surf Soccer Club’s VP of Affiliates, Bryan Thistle.
Director of Coaching Chris Murray commented on the club’s affiliation with Surf: “It’s a fantastic move for us to affiliate with such a professional organization as San Diego Surf Soccer Club.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Surf organization. Our players are going to benefit in many ways from the support and opportunities the Surf network will provide us,” said Edson McClellan, San Clemente Surf President.
“Surf SC has an impressive infrastructure both on and off the field and are nationally recognized as one of the top clubs in the country. We have worked hard to build a development-based training model in San Clemente implemented by an experienced coaching staff, such as UEFA A licensed coach and former Northern Ireland international Eric Macmanus, who serves as Director of Coaching for the boys’ program,” said Murray. “We are confident that this move will enhance our professionalism in all areas and provide security for our families by utilizing the outstanding resources that Surf has to offer, allowing us to develop our players to their full potential.’’
Both clubs have worked together in the past, with notable alumni Roger Downes, who played at SC United for over 6 years before moving to San Diego Surf SC for his final years of play. During this period, the two clubs worked together as Roger won CIF Player of the Year, LA times Player of the Year, continued with a successful collegiate career captaining L.M.U to a West Coast Conference championship and then pursued a professional opportunity to train with Dundee United in Scotland with top youth coach Stevie Campbell.
“From the time I arrived at the club in 2004, we have concentrated on building a strong grassroots program with an emphasis on providing attention to detail, as well as working to progressively challenge our players each year. The program has grown organically from 4 to 16 teams and we are very confident more success stories such as Roger Downes will develop due to our new affiliation with Surf. We recently sent one of our U9 boys to London for a trial with Fulham in the EPL, one of the top academies in Europe. We are excited that players in San Clemente will not only be able to receive professional coaching in town, but will now have a variety of pathways to pursue their soccer ambitions through the Surf organization,” remarked Murray.
The San Clemente club has a unique element that focuses on player development off the field. With the inception of the club’s Community Service Program, Director Kerri McClellan encourages participation in service projects throughout Orange County with organizations such as the Friendship Shelter, FAM, Project Linus, Homefront America, Rock the Autism, The Welcome Inn and the Special Olympics. These projects give the club’s players the opportunity to make a contribution to their community, as well as the time to work on team chemistry off the field. “The program has been a wonderful way to provide our athletes with an enhanced experience, while making a difference in the San Clemente community, ” says McClellan.
