Philadelphia Independence Announces Strategic Partnership with Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association


The Philadelphia Independence today announced its strategic partnership with the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA). This alliance, which directly unites the youth soccer community to Philadelphia’s women’s professional soccer franchise, gives over 130,000 youth players direct access to professional-level soccer, training, and instruction.

“This is an important step for our organization,” said Independence General Manager Terry Foley. “Through programs with EPYSA we have an opportunity to develop and inspire local youth who will one day have the opportunity to play at the professional level.”

For more than 35 years, EPYSA has promoted, fostered and perpetuated the game of soccer to the youth of the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley regions and beyond.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer has always been at the forefront in supporting female athletes and women’s soccer,” said Chris Branscome, Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer. “We take great pride in EPYSA’s work with girls’ soccer, college soccer, and the national teams over the years. Now we will put forth that same effort into supporting the Independence, as these outstanding young women are great role models for our young girls and generate new levels of aspirations for them.

“Through the programs we are developing with the Independence, we hope to inspire a new generation of players, a new generation of coaches, a new generation of fans and possibly the next generation of players for the Independence,” Branscome said.

Elements of the partnership include Independence support in EPYSA’s Olympic Development Program and youth development efforts in the region. Additionally, the Independence will make various appearances to EPYSA clubs and events, host joint clinics, and increase awareness of EPYSA through online and game-day activation. In turn, EPYSA will provide ticketing support to the team and help the Independence reach out to their membership. They also will provide Independence players with valuable coaching education, arming players with additional skills for their futures in the sport.

One of the first initiatives the Independence and EPYSA will work together on is the upcoming EPYSA Workshop, scheduled for Saturday, March 6th at the Independence’s practice facilities at the United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, PA, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Independence head coach Paul Riley will give a coaching clinic during the workshop, while players from the team will appear for on-field demonstrations and an autograph session. Also, the Independence’s Associate General Manager and Director of Operations Louise Waxler will co-host a session with Wim Roset of EPYSA on “How to Improve an Already Successful Tournament” during the workshop.

About Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer:
For over 35 years, the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA) has worked to promote, foster and perpetuate the game of soccer to the region’s youth. Through competitions, educational programs, workshops and coaching clinics, EPYSA annually impacts the lives of over 130,000 youth soccer players from ages five to 19. Additional information about EPYSA is available at http://www.epysa.org/.

Media Contact:
Jim DeLorenzo
215-564-1122
jim@jhdenterprises.com