City Islanders Academy '08
USL-2 affiliates commit team to the men's Super-20 League
 City Islanders Website - www.cityislanders.com
Wednesday, April 2
HARRISBURG, PA – The youth academy of the 2007 United Soccer Leagues (USL) Second Division Champion Harrisburg City Islanders will, for a second consecutive season, field nine teams in USL’s development system. Last season the City Islanders Academy held nine teams in the Super Y-League (U13-U17) alone, but for the 2008 season the club has chosen to include the budding Super-20 League on their list of initiatives.
"The Academy was part of our original business plan," states City Islanders majority owner Eric Pettis. "We want to help develop youth soccer in Central PA, but did not feel a need to create a new club, rather partner with established clubs during their downtime. We are excited to be a part of the USL Super Y-League for our fourth season and to offer this opportunity to youth players that look to play high level soccer and even one day professional soccer."
In 2008 the City Islanders Academy will field Super Y-League boys’ teams at the U13, U14, U15, U16 and U17 levels, as well as U13, U14, and U16 girls’ teams. These nine teams will compete in the Super-Y League’s Mid Atlantic Region against teams from Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
The City Islanders Academy also offers a competitive outlet for player’s U10 through U12 as part of the Super Y-League developmental teams. These six teams will train and play in summer tournaments. Each player will proudly wear the City Islanders Academy uniform and benefits from the same commitment to excellence that characterizes our professional team.
Involved in the day-to-day operations, David Schofield, City Islanders professional player and Director of the Youth Academy coordinates the direction of the City Islanders Academy’s 350 players. The entire City Islanders staff is very involved in the academy and is dedicated to providing a competitive and enjoyable experience. You can even catch members of their staff on the sidelines.
The mid-state has a wealth of excellent coaches, including some professional, former professional players and college standouts who give their time and expertise. In addition, each team receives scheduled training sessions with current City Islanders professional players.
City Islander Academy players receive a season ticket to the City Islanders professional games and are encouraged to attend with their team.
“Obviously getting the teams involved to watch a professional game is a great learning and bonding experience," says Schofield, "We are quite proud of our teams."
"It is a tremendous player development opportunity to place the best and most talented players from the clubs in Central Pennsylvania on a Super Y-League team,” added Schofield. “It is great to see how we match up against other top clubs in the region. Most importantly are the friendships that the players establish with other players, many who they have played against in club and high school settings over the years."
The Harrisburg City Islanders kickoff their USL Second Division title defense on April 26th.
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