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Alliance Academy Press Release - www.soccergrandrapids.com

Thursday, June 12

GRAND RAPIDS, MI- The Alliance Academy prepares to kick-off it’s 2008 Super Y-League campaign with a roster of talented players coming from across the region. The Grand Rapids based club enters the league after receiving acceptance from the United Soccer Leagues in November of 2007. It wasn’t long before interest in the teams began to spread.

"While our initial try-outs sought local talent, we soon found out that there was a much broader range of interest. We currently have players registered from Detroit, Lansing, Chicago, Kalamazoo, Indiana, and Northern Michigan," club administrator Tara Fitzsimmons verified on Monday.

The Alliance Academy is fielding teams at the U13G, U14G, U17G, U13B, U15B, and U17B along with a Super 20 Men’s team. If the club’s first official United Soccer League match (Super 20 vs. St. Louis) was any indication, the season should start well and be competitive.

"We scored in the first three minutes of the match against St. Louis and despite having brought the guys together late in the spring, we played well enough to win," Super 20 Coach Gordon Dean explained. The game ended in a 3-3 tie with the Alliance conceding a goal in the fifth minute of injury time.

Alliance Academy Club Director Abrahm Shearer expects every game to be a challenge.

"Tight matches are expected in every division as our teams will be facing well organized teams, top players, and great coaches," said Shearer.

For a case in point one needs to look no further than the club’s first weekend of Super Y play. The weekend of June 14th will see the U15 Boys traveling to Chicago to face the Magic and the Fire. With both clubs prepping their players to take part in the USSF’s Youth Academy Program the competition will be fierce.

"Our boys are excited for the competition as are all of our teams. These players not only want to prove that they belong but, that they can win at the highest levels."

The Super Y-League not only provides Alliance Academy players the opportunity to compete against some of the most talented athletes in the country but it gives them an opportunity to be part of a summer long, professional training program. Everyone involved in this program expects that the participants will gain a tremendous edge going into their club and high school seasons.

For more information on the Alliance Academy visit www.soccergrandrapids.com or contact Tara Fitzsimmons at 616-881-3873.