San Diego, CA., January 6, 2025— Two of the most esteemed brands in youth soccer development, Match Fit Academy and Surf Soccer, are taking their partnership to new heights. Starting in the 2025/2026 season, Match Fit Academy will officially rebrand as Match Fit Surf, unifying both brands to deliver an unparalleled pathway for young players striving to reach their full potential.
Since joining the Surf Nation family in 2020, Match Fit Academy has been committed to offering top-tier training, elite competition, and clear pathways for advancement. This rebrand marks a new era, providing athletes with a seamless journey from grassroots levels to the nationally acclaimed ECNL platform—ensuring every player has the support and resources to succeed.
“It's been a great year for Match Fit Academy, and timing is everything,” says Andy Prosser, the Director of Surf Nation. “2024 has focused on investing in our staff, aligning our leadership team, creating clear goals, and defining our development pathway, ultimately leading back to the players. Combining both brands is a clear sign of the strength of our commitment to being the premium destination for youth soccer through the state of New Jersey and identified as one of the Elite Clubs in North America,” added Prosser.
With this integration, Match Fit Surf will offer players expanded access to premier leagues, the Surf Select identification program, and elite events while maintaining the high standards for which both Match Fit and Surf are known. The rebrand reinforces the club's commitment to elevating youth soccer in New Jersey and provides a structured pathway from U8 through ECNL and beyond.
"With this rebrand to Match Fit Surf, we're building an even stronger foundation for our players to develop, compete, and thrive," said Jordan Raper, General Manager of Match Fit Surf. "This partnership will unlock broader resources, exclusive events, and high-level competition, aligning with our commitment to helping players reach their fullest potential. It's an exciting new chapter for our club, families, and players."
Dominick Bucci, Girls Director of Coaching for Match Fit Surf, added, "Combining Match Fit's long-standing tradition of player development with Surf's nationally recognized standards provides our players with a unique competitive advantage. We're creating more than just teams—we're building a community that supports each player's growth on and off the field. This rebrand is the next step in delivering an unparalleled soccer experience to help our players succeed at every level."
Enhanced Development and Competition
Through this partnership, players in the Match Fit Surf program will benefit from elevated coaching, greater national exposure, and access to top competition, including the ECNL and ECNL-RL platforms. This unified structure will allow Match Fit Surf to focus even more on holistic player development, expanding growth opportunities and providing a clear path to college and beyond.
Join the Future of Youth Soccer with Match Fit Surf
Match Fit Surf will host tryouts for the 2025/2026 season, allowing players to join this new era in youth soccer development in New Jersey. For more information on tryouts and our program, please visit our website at matchfitsurf.com.
About Surf:
For over 47 years, Surf Soccer has pioneered youth soccer development. Its commitment to excellence includes 20+ national championships, over $12 million in charitable donations, and a legacy of players progressing to professional, collegiate, and youth national teams. Match Fit Academy is proud to join Surf's network of 50+ affiliates, collectively known as Surf Nation.
