Albion Soccer Club’s Partnership with Maui United Soccer Club
SoccerToday News is pleased to feature Albion Tuesday – the youth soccer news series with San Diego’s Albion Soccer Club. Every Tuesday is Albion Tuesday. Building on the club’s established national recognition for player development, Albion SC has continued expansion of their youth soccer program through select partnerships and an affiliate program. This week spotlight: Albion Soccer Club’s partner club Maui United Soccer Club (MUSC).
San Diego’s Albion Soccer Club has created a powerful partnership with Maui United, one of Hawaii’s premier youth soccer clubs. When asked why Albion SC selected Maui United Soccer Club (MUSC) to partner with Noah Gins, Albion SC’s Technical Director said, “The people behind an organization that make the organization; the passion, the work, the character, the culture of the club – these are always a reflection of the people in the club. Maui United’s Director of Coaching is Brent Nunnes and his incredible passion has put his club on the map nationally.”
One of the largest competitive youth soccer clubs in Hawaii, Maui United has over 300 players and seventeen teams. “Maui United SC is a top notch youth soccer club,” said Gins. “I have greatly enjoyed collaborating with Brent and have a lot of respect for what he has accomplished at Maui United SC. Brent has dedicated himself to this club and the game and is in it for all the right reasons.”
When asked what makes Nunnes such a great director of coaching and leader at a youth soccer club, Gins said, “I see Brent as a great motivator, great trainer, and does very well with the tactical side of the game. Brent constantly is pushing himself to be better and always studying from those around him in the soccer world.”
| “There are years of equity built into Albion Soccer Club, and we are proud to share this with other youth soccer clubs. It is an honor to be able to assist soccer clubs and have them gain from our experience and well-established track record. It is a reward not only to the clubs we partner with, but to our own club as our affiliate and partnership programs are a testament of our hard work paying off in doing the right things, year-after-year,” said Noah Gins, Albion Soccer Club‘s Technical Director |
“Our coaches at Albion are excited to work with Nunnes and his staff to help continue to build the club and provide new opportunities for players to advance.”
Why does Albion SC want to develop key partnerships with other youth clubs? “It is simple – having a great partnership like this has allowed us to really discuss the game both from a training standpoint and with the tactical side of the game,” said Gins.
“Maui United SC is very excited to partner with Albion SC. Over the years, our focus on developing academy and collegiate soccer players has been proven successful,” said Nunnes. “Working together with Albion SC enhances our overall training curriculum and platform for development.”
“We are located in the middle of the Pacific, and it is not an easy task to consistently compete successfully on a regional and national level,” admitted Nunnes. “Through our partnership with Albion SC, we are able to provide our Hawaii players with opportunities such as player ID camps, elite showcase and premier league events.”
How well is the partnership working? According to Nunnes, the partnership between these two elite youth clubs is already benefiting his players. “Last spring, working with Noah Gins and Albion SC, our MUSC 99 boys team competed in the prestigious Southern California Premier League. Maui players had the opportunity to travel to California during their spring break where they competed in 9 top level matches in just 12 days,” said Nunnes. “Through events like these, we have been able to provide the right exposure for Maui United players to move on to US Youth Academy teams, Olympic Development Program (ODP) region IV teams, collegiate division 1,2, 3 programs, and US Youth National Teams.”
Why select Albion SC to partner with? Besides the fact that both MUSC and Albion SC pride themselves on playing a stylistic brand of attacking soccer, Nunnes believes the reasons are obvious. “Over the years, Albion SC has clearly established their identity as a premier soccer club focused on player development. Noah Gins and his coaching staff’s dedication have enabled them success on a national level.”
According to Nunnes, Albion SC and Maui United share a similar vision and goal for player development:
- The technical foundation is established at the U8-U10 developmental level through repetition and consistency. Coaches provide these youngsters with a fun learning environment at each training session.
- At the U11-U15 competitive level, teaching a system or systems of play is crucial. At this age, coaches drive and encourage the competitive mindset within an individual. Players learn what it takes to become a top-level competitive student-athlete.
- The final stage of development within the youth soccer club setting is the U16-U19 advanced and placement programs, which prepare individuals for future college opportunities.
- Both clubs share the end goal which is to graduate all players to college and allow them to play the game at this high level
As Nunnes said, “Moving players on to the collegiate level through soccer and/or academics is the ultimate goal. Everything else along the journey is all part of this great process.”
When two powerhouse clubs choose to work together, the players’ journey truly benefits and everyone’s experience is enriched.
“Maui United has a strong presence at the Albion Cup National Showcase. Most of their players come to visit San Diego to compete in our elite showcase. We have seen Maui United grow substantially over the past two years and we have had the pleasure of many of their players be part of the Albion SC summer program,” said Gins.
What will the future bring? A great opportunity to play soccer in Hawaii. In August 2014, Maui United Soccer Club will host the inaugural “The Maui Cup“. This event will provide a competitive soccer environment on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. U8-U18 teams of all levels will be able to showcase their play, while enjoying a vacation of a lifetime. Nunnes will be working with Gins and Puma to attract many of the best clubs on the West Coast, and Canada to compete.
San Diego’s Albion Soccer Club announced last month the expansion of its Affiliate Program with the addition of Albion SC- Orange County, formerly Tustin Soccer Club. Albion SC network throughout Southern California along with partnerships with Maui United (Hawaii) and Eastside SC (Seattle, Washington) form the base for continued successful expansion in 2014.
