News Release - April 16, 2010

The Real Juniors (Juniors) have secured their spot in the 2010 Super Y-league program.  Led by Head Coach Tom Torres, the Juniors will be participating in this year’s summer league as part of the Northern Virginia Royals Football Club (NOVA FC). NOVA FC has received numerous accolades and honors in the 2009 season and was named the Super Y League’s “Top Club” in the North America.  Last year, NOVA FC sent nine teams to the North American Super Y-league Championships held in Tampa, Florida including the U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 Royals, the U13 NOVA FC Boys, and the Northern Virginia U13, U14, and U16 Majestics.
The Super Y-League is a professional-tier system affiliated with US Soccer and partnered with US Club Soccer.  The league is designed for talented youth players destined for professional or international careers. The Northern Virginia Royals Super Y teams benefit from the same commitment to excellence which characterizes its’ professional team.  This commitment is an essential step to a youth player’s “Path to the Pros.”

Over 100 clubs throughout North America compete annually for a Continental Championship and to ensure maximum competition, the Juniors will be “playing up” one year in the U-16 age group.  This year, the Juniors will compete in the South Atlantic Region. The clubs competing within the region are: Alpharetta (GA), Atlanta Fire (GA), Triangle FC (NC), Richmond Kickers (VA), Hampton Roads Piranhas (VA), Meck Union (NC) and SC Fredericksburg (VA)  The season will consist of approximately 8 - 12 games. The majority of games will be played during the summer from June to August, with the North American Finals being held in November. 
Coach Torres, who also coaches the Royals PDL team, said, “players who play with the Juniors’ Super Y League group will benefit from unique opportunities to play in even more games in the U15, U17 and possibly even the U20 age groups.  This flexibility to compete within various age-levels will offer maximum exposure, challenging levels of play, and maximum flexibility for the summer months allowing players to work around their other activities and vacation plans.
The Juniors will add to their core team first by invitation only, and then by holding tryouts in May 2010, shortly after the Spring 2010 NCSL season ends.  The Juniors will be looking to add 5 to 10 high performing players to their roster.  The players will compete for the 18-player roster that will be selected for each game day.  These selections will provide for the most competitive 18-man roster while allowing the entire player pool to take some needed time off during the summer months for vacations.  This summer league will provide the most competitive training environment for players in the Northern Virginia area.
Coach Torres stated, “the philosophy of USL is that players go from the youth ranks to each club's senior team (PDL, USL2, and USL1), with the ultimate goal of MLS or professional leagues abroad.  Our PDL team consists of many of the top players who currently play at many of the top colleges.  In addition, our roster includes players who are former professionals as well. Regardless of a player’s past affiliations, most college coaches ask their players to play in a competitive league in preparation for their fall season.  Without question, PDL is that place.  So it’s very beneficial for U13-U17s to look at the big picture and for players to get their foot in the door and establish themselves for future years.”

Training will start at the beginning of June and continue through the second week in August. Ideally, practices will be twice a week.  By design, the program is not intended to compete with the players’ club teams, but rather to complement them. In the case of a conflict, the player will be encouraged to go to their respective club’s activity; however, the final decision will remain with the player and their parents.  In order to offer maximum flexibility, players will be encouraged to train with other age groups/teams whenever a player is unable to make their own team’s training.  Both training and home games will take place in Fairfax or Prince William County; however, other facilities and fields may be used as necessary.

If you are interested in being a part of one of the most competitive teams in the United States during the summer of 2010, please contact Tom Torres at ttorres@att.blackberry.net or Juniors Manager, Joe McCarthy at joemrealjuniors@verizon.net
More information about the NOVA FC club and SYL League can be found on novafc.org and uslsoccer.com. 
Nova FC is an official partner of West Ham FC.  NOVA FC manages the West Ham FC National ID camp held each year in the DC Metro area.