New Jersey Rangers News Release - www.njrangersfc.com
Friday, November 30, 2007
FLANDERS, NJ -- The NJ Rangers FC Inc. is proud to officially announce that they will join the United Soccer Leagues with a franchise in the Premier Development League as well as teams in the Super Y-League and USL Super-20 League beginning in the 2008 season.
“We are excited about this opportunity to be a part of a well respected and organized entity in the USL,” said club President Aaron Balber. “The PDL showcases some of the best young talent in the country today and serves as a stepping-stone to the highest levels of soccer. Many of the players in the PDL will move on to fill the professional rosters of Major League Soccer, the USL First Division and beyond.”
The NJ Rangers FC PDL squad will play regular season begins in May, concluding in early August. The club also hopes to play exhibitions against other USL level teams as well as hosting international clubs visiting the area. The Rangers will also have the opportunity to qualify for entrance into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament. This competition is the oldest standing tournament in the country and features teams from the MLS down to the state amateur level.
“Soccer in the northern New Jersey area has a very deep and rich history. Over the years, this area has produced some of the brightest stars in the US National Team’s history. This trend continues as much of the area’s talent currently fills the top collegiate rosters around the country today,” added Balber. “We look forward to tapping into this talent pool and putting together a very competitive side.”
“We know the competition in the PDL will be stiff, and being the new kids on the block presents a challenge in itself. We embrace this opportunity and feel confident we can compete with the top teams in the league.”
The Rangers are projected to be members of the PDL Eastern Conference.
The first tryout for the 2008 PDL team will take place on Saturday, December 15th at Morris Catholic High School in Denville. Players interested should visit our website and fill out the required registration form.
In addition to the PDL program, The NJ Rangers FC has also entered into the top youth league in the country today. The USL Super Y-League is a professionalized system that is the first step for developing elite youth soccer players in North America. The league is designed for talented youth players destined for professional or international careers. The Super Y-League contains the youth academies of USL First Division, USL Second Division, Premier Development League, W-League, and Major League Soccer clubs, as well as many of the established premier youth clubs. Through Olympic Development Program status events such as the North American Finals and National ODP Camps, the nation’s top players are identified for selection to US National Team Programs. The 2008 campaign features over 800 teams within the U13 – U17 boys and girls age groups competing within 10 geographic divisions of the U.S. and Canada.
The NJ Rangers FC is a not for profit 501c3 organization that is operated by its executive board: President, Aaron Balber; Vice President, Kelley Urniasz; Director of Professional Development, Andy Rotsides; Director of Coaching and Player Development, Stewart Smith; Director of Players Relations, Richard Costa; Director of Public Relations, Bobby Spiropolus.
