Atlanta (May 16, 2008) - Georgia Futbol Club (GFC) announced today that through their affiliation with the
Atlanta Silverbacks, Ted MacDougall, current Atlanta Silverbacks Youth Club Director and Massoud Roushandel, former Atlanta Fire United Director of Coaching and founder of Atlanta Fire Soccer Club will head the Georgia FC/FCAtlanta North and South divisions.
The Atlanta Silverbacks have adopted a player development philosophy that is more open and inclusive as they want to appeal to all the youth clubs in Georgia. The organization will no longer be directly involved on the youth club level, but will be expanding partnerships with youth organizations through its affiliate program to create mutually beneficial relationships between the youth and professional ranks. For more information about the affiliate program please contact the Atlanta Silverbacks.
The new South Division of the Georgia FC Silverbacks youth program have come to terms to rent space at Atlanta Silverbacks Park and will be comprised of the former Silverbacks youth teams along with all additional players that are selected at tryouts.
The new North Division of the Georgia FC Silverbacks youth program will be based at Shakerag Elementary School in the John’s Creek area of Alpharetta. The club is very excited and looking forward to the opening of our newest location that will be housed at the new, world class Elite Sports Academy with Phase I scheduled to open in early 2009. This new 55-acre state of the art venue located one-half mile north of Highway 20 on Peachtree Industrial Blvd. will feature twelve-full size lighted soccer fields, including 4 turf fields and a mini-stadium. In addition, the venue will house an 80,000 square foot training center containing two full size indoor soccer fields, futs al courts, a junior Olympic swimming pool, sports track, a state of the art fitness center with locker rooms, a pro shop, study hall, multi purpose rooms, offices, and a sports café along with additional sports training amenities.
The current Georgia FC Silverbacks will continue soccer operations out of the Bethesda Park location in Lilburn, GA under the coaching direction of Lloyd White and Jose Vivanco.
This strategic alliance between Georgia FC and FC Atlanta will provide many benefits to players throughout Georgia while supporting the new long-term vision of the Atlanta Silverbacks Organization. Players will benefit from having multiple training venues and opportunities, multiple levels of youth teams, a highly experienced coaching staff, excellent college coach exposure, and special placement assistance in high profile tournaments throughout the country. Through their affiliation program with the Atlanta Silverbacks the club will have access and exposure to professional Silverbacks players and specialty programs including PDL and PDP/Super Y Leagues.
The Silverbacks Affiliates will have the advantage of sharing resources, strategic planning and sport networking, resulting in an opportunity for additional growth through the Silverbacks affiliation. This strategic alliance will further reinforce the Atlanta Silverbacks commitment of promoting and broadening the reach of soccer within the United States. Our combined goal is to create a complete soccer organization that focuses on player development and maximizing player opportunities at all levels, while bridging the gap between the youth and professional soccer experience.
The Georgia FC and FC Atlanta Silverbacks’ staff look forward to their alliance and embracing the vision and philosophy behind the Atlanta Silverbacks organization. Tryouts for all club locations will be held in May and June.
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