NPL partners with Surf Cup, Jefferson Cup
August 13, 2014
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Aug. 13, 2014) – US Club Soccer is proud to announce a new partnership with the Surf Cup in San Diego, Calif., and the Jefferson Cup in Richmond, Va., to provide top NPL teams slots at both events in 2015. These prestigious national tournaments will complement the existing US Club Soccer NPL Showcase events to launch the NPL Showcase Series.
The NPL Showcase Series provides NPL players with opportunities to participate in premier national showcase events while competing against top teams from across the country.
MORE: NationalPremierLeagues.com/NPLShowcase | Surf Cup | Jefferson Cup
Slots in each of the four NPL Showcase Series events will be awarded to top NPL member teams. More details will be made available soon about applications, acceptance and team allocations for all events.
In the first step of linking the events in the NPL Showcase Series, the 2015 NPL Showcase (Boys) in Las Vegas, hosted by Heat FC, will return next year after a successful debut in March, and will serve as a qualifier for NPL slots at the 2015 Surf Cup. Top teams from the NPL Showcase (Boys) will earn automatic acceptance into the 2015 Surf Cup.
The 2014-15 NPL Showcase Series:
- NPL Showcase (Girls): Dec. 31, 2014 - Jan. 2, 2015 in Palm Coast, Fla. | Open to U-15 through U-17 girls
- Jefferson Cup (Boys): March 6-8, 2015 in Richmond, Va. | Open to U-16 through U-18 boys
- NPL Showcase (Boys): Early March 2015 in Las Vegas, Nev. | Open to U-16 through U-18 boys
- Surf Cup (Boys, Girls): Summer 2015 in San Diego, Calif. | Open to U-16 through U-18 boys and girls
“We want our NPL clubs and players to have the opportunity to compete against top teams in the best environments possible, and having berths at the San Diego Surf Cup and the Jefferson Cup help achieve that goal,” said Bill Sage, US Club Soccer’s Executive Director. “The NPL Showcase Series was designed with high-school age players in mind, to help provide more opportunities to be seen by college coaches at high quality tournaments.”
Created in 1981 and entering its 35th year, the Surf Cup has grown to become one of the top college showcases in the country. More than 400 college coaches and scouts have attended each year since its inception.
“We are pleased to have the US Club Soccer NPL teams participate in the San Diego Surf Cup,” said Surf Cup Director Mike Connerley. “These teams will be treated to the Surf Cup experience – an event, not just a tournament. All of the NPL teams will play at a very high quality soccer venue, while showcasing their team in front of the top colleges and universities in the United States.”
The Jefferson Cup, which enters its 35th edition in 2015, boasts an impressive array of field complexes, including 24 turf fields for difficult weather conditions, in and around Richmond, Va. While the tournament annually accepts more than 700 teams from throughout the country, its status as a premier showcase event has caused officials to turn down about 500 teams per year in the past four years.
“This new relationship with US Club Soccer, the NPL and the Surf Cup only increases the value and experience of the Jefferson Cup Tournament Series,” Chris Friant, Jefferson Cup Director, said. “The Jefferson Cup and the Surf Cup are both outstanding events, and now NPL teams and players will have the opportunity to showcase their talents on both coasts on the best fields, in the best environments and in front of hundreds of college coaches.”
US Club Soccer’s 2014-15 NPL Showcase (Girls) will be held Dec. 31-Jan. 2 at Indian Trails Sports Complex in Palm Coast, Fla. Top-performing teams from the previous NPL season are given priority in the application process. Sept. 30 is the deadline to submit applications. A number of elite teams have already committed to compete.
