RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, March 19, 2013) – The Richmond Kickers and Mechanicsville United FC are pleased to announce a comprehensive club and player development alliance that will focus on increasing and enhancing travel team opportunities for the Hanover and Eastern Henrico region. Beginning with the 2013-14 season, the Mechanicsville United FC travel program will rebrand to Richmond Kickers Mechanicsville, joining the Kickers Classic travel program.
“We are excited to partner with Manny Tavares, Warren Pratt and Mechanicsville United FC,” commented Rob Ukrop, Richmond Kickers President, Board of Directors. “We believe offering Richmond Kickers Mechanicsville travel teams will enhance both organizations by helping both clubs achieve their shared goal of providing affordable and quality soccer programming across the Eastern Henrico and Hanover region. We pride ourselves on collaborating with community clubs like Mechanicsville United that share the same passion for developing young people through the beautiful game. We look forward to working with Manny and Warren to enhance the travel team program he has established.”
“The Richmond Kickers Mechanicsville travel teams are a great addition to the Kickers Classic travel program,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. “Both organizations pride themselves on offering opportunities for all players who want to play the beautiful game of soccer. Mechanicsville United have become a true community club and we look forward to helping enhance and grow the travel teams that Manny, Warren and their staff have established.”
Directed by Manny Tavares, Richmond Kickers Mechanicsville travel teams will continue to train and play at Pole Green Park and Courthouse Park with tryouts and registration taking place this spring. The teams will merge into the Kickers Classic Program, which provides a competitive environment that falls between Elite Travel and Recreational Programs. The ADP and U9 teams will participate in the Kickers highly regarded in-house programs while the U10 through U12 teams will compete locally in the Advanced Development Soccer League (ADSL), eliminating the need for excessive travel trips to Virginia Beach.
In addition to the traditional fall and spring season, Kickers Mechanicsville players will receive Summer Training, Winter Training, 2-4 tournaments and wear the new Kickers adidas uniforms. All teams will also don the Mechanicsville United FC logo on the uniform sleeve in recognition of the partnership.
“Our membership and coaches are very excited to partner with Richmond Kickers,” said Tavares. “Mechanicsville United FC and Richmond Kickers share the same goal of providing a quality soccer program that families of Hanover County and Eastern Henrico have become accustomed to with Mechanicsville United FC. Richmond Kickers Mechanicsville allows us to carry on our mission to be a community club offering quality soccer. The growth of our travel program has been fantastic and an alliance with Kickers is a dream come true.”
The Richmond Kickers Advanced Development Program (ADP) at Pearson’s Corner Elementary School provides a natural development program for Richmond Kickers Mechanicsville travel teams. Shaping the future of youth soccer, Kickers ADP is designed to introduce talented 6-8 year olds to the fundamental technical skills and decision-making needed to participate on travel teams. With over 80% of the Kickers 2012-13 U9 travel teams comprised of former ADP players, Kickers ADP is demonstrating unprecedented success offering a seamless transition from recreational to competitive soccer.
About Mechanicsville United FC
The Mechanicsville United Futbol Clube is a non-profit corporation with over 40 years of experience in soccer. MUFC offers a variety of soccer programs for all ages including recreational, travel, indoor & personalized training for individuals and small groups. Established in May 2009 by Mechanicsville residents Manny Tavares and Warren Pratt, MUFC trains and plays games at Mechanicsville / Hanover County fields and is open to all surrounding counties.
About the Richmond Kickers
Established in 1993, the Richmond Kickers have consistently been one of the most successful professional soccer clubs in America. Over the past 19 seasons, Richmond has qualified for postseason play 17 times, making eight Championship appearances while earning three league titles (1995, 2006, 2009). Today, over 8,000 soccer players participate in programs sponsored by the Richmond Kickers and partner clubs. The Kickers provide opportunities for players of all abilities and unites soccer in the Central Virginia community while providing a clear pathway from youth to pro for aspiring young players.
