San Diego, CA., May 14, 2024— Two of the biggest soccer brands in the Southwest are partnering to create a new level of quality and developmental opportunities for young players in Las Vegas. The highly acclaimed Heat FC (Southern Nevada Soccer Association) and the Surf Soccer organization will join forces to create both, an expanded and dominant club, plus the Surf Cup Southwest Championship Series event hosted in Las Vegas.
Heat FC, renowned for its elite competition through the ECNL program and pathway to college soccer, is set to integrate all Las Vegas Surf teams. This move will strengthen the girls’ teams and developmental coaching while providing a unified platform for all players. For the 2024/2025 season, the combined entity will be known as Las Vegas Heat Surf, aiming to dominate elite-level soccer in the area. The players will have equal access to the ECNL and ECNL-RL platforms and the Surf Select identification and development pathway, ensuring a fair and inclusive soccer environment. Las Vegas families, coaches, and players will enjoy the benefits of the Surf Nation program by becoming part of Surf, the country’s most successful youth soccer club.
As a testament to their partnership, the two organizations are set to re-brand the Las Vegas Invitational as Surf Cup Southwest (Surf Cup SW) to be held February 28- March 2, 2025. This is the third event to be announced in the prestigious Surf Cup Championship Series, joining the ranks of Surf Cup NW (in partnership with Crossfire Premier) and Surf Cup Spain. The Surf Cup Championship Series is a platform that transcends national boundaries, offering the best teams across the U.S. an opportunity to compete at the highest level, regardless of league platform. The winners of each Championship Series event will earn the right to compete in San Diego for the Surf Cup Championship, and a chance to genuinely claim the title of “Best of the Best”.
“Local and national league fragmentation is hurting our sport, and the people who are losing are the players and their families. This situation has particularly affected Las Vegas; Heat FC and Surf want to be part of the solution. We believe our new partnership will allow the best players to stay in Las Vegas and still have the opportunity to chase their athletic dreams,” said Brian Enge, Surf Sports COO.
“For more than 2 decades, myself and other leaders within Heat FC have been driven by the desire to create a club that reflects our love and passion for the sport of soccer and creates developmental opportunities for kids in the Las Vegas area. I believe strongly that the best way to continue accomplishing our missions is to partner with a national leader in the sport. Together, the Heat and Surf can do more for kids, more for our city, and more for the game we love.” Key Reid, President Heat FC.
“As the beautiful game continues to evolve and grow in many different ways here in the United States, so must we. I am excited about the new partnership between Heat FC and Surf Nation and the additional opportunities it will open for the next generation in Southern Nevada. Heat FC has played a pivotal role in youth soccer development here in Southern Nevada for many years. We have helped multiple youth players achieve their dreams of becoming athletes at the next level and with this new partnership, the opportunities will now be even more. Surf Nation has proven to be a leader in development, competition, and opportunity for the next generation. We are excited to be a part of it,” said Esad Morina, DOC & ECNL Director Heat FC.
“Driven by our mission to create the ‘best of the best’ experiences and opportunities for youth soccer players through our clubs, events, and facilities is something we always aim for; this partnership creates that and shows we are a forward-thinking organization! We believe this partnership will positively affect the development process and pathway for the many talented players across Southern Nevada,” said Boris Gujic, DOC Las Vegas Surf.
For more information and tryout information, visit https://lasvegasheatsurf.com
About Surf:
For over 47 years, Surf has been one of the founding organizations in youth soccer. With over $12 Million in charitable donations, 17 national championships, and countless professional, collegiate, and youth national team players, we are forever striving to be the “Best of the Best.”
Heat FC joins a family of 60 other Surf National affiliates to comprise what we’re proud to call Surf Nation.
