San Diego, CA., January 8, 2025— Surf Nation is proud to announce the launch of our newest partner club, NLSA Surf. In the world of youth sports, the Surf brand is renowned for professionalism, elite event management, high-quality coaching, and, most importantly, a deep commitment to player development. Surf's mission is to create experiences and opportunities for players, and we're excited to announce this strategic partnership in New Jersey.
Effective immediately, Next Level Soccer Academy will transition and rebrand to NLSA Surf launching in partnership with Surf Nation, which has a proven track record of developing players into International Youth Training Centers, Professional Academies, and into the Collegiate Ranks. Led by the most experienced Coaches, Staff, and Administrators in the community, NLSA Surf will continue to provide a high-quality player development experience and, through the transition to Surf, will now have access to further opportunities for its players and coaching staff on a regional and national level.
“Bringing NLSA into the Surf Nation Family is the next step in achieving our goals in New Jersey. It was clear in discussions with the NLSA leadership team that we share the same mission, ambition, and dedication to player development,” says Andy Prosser, the Director of Surf Nation. “New Jersey has a deep history in youth development but needs collaboration and cooperation. Between Match Fit Surf programming in Mercer County, our Shore location, and NLSA all competing in the ECNL RL, this announcement is just the beginning of creating new opportunities within the region to match the ambition of those players looking to compete at the highest tier of youth development across North America,” added Prosser.
Rob Marino, NLSA’s Administrative Director and co-founder, echoed those sentiments, “We are thrilled to join the Surf Nation Family, an organization with a long history of soccer success. We knew early on in the discussions that Surf was a perfect fit, given their proven focus on player and coach development, principles that have been central to our Club since day one. Together with our sister clubs at Match Fit Surf and New Jersey Surf, we look to collaboratively raise the level of soccer and the opportunities for players throughout the region. Exciting things are on the horizon for Surf Nation, and we look forward to contributing to, and being a part of, those accomplishments.”
“We are excited to announce our partnership with Surf Nation, marking an exciting new chapter for NLSA. NLSA has always been committed to excellence in youth soccer, and joining Surf Nation is an exciting next step in our journey,” said NLSA’s Executive Director and co-founder, Chad Bridges. “Since 2007, we have focused on helping players in New Jersey elevate their game, and this partnership strengthens our ability to do so. Together with Surf Nation, we will continue to develop players' skills on the field, uphold our dedication to service off the field, and inspire a relentless pursuit of growth, teamwork, and success."
"The addition of NLSA Surf to the Surf Nation Family is a tremendous step forward for youth soccer in New Jersey. By uniting top-level clubs under one banner, we’re enhancing player pathways and setting a new standard for development and opportunity. This partnership reinforces our shared vision of providing every player with the tools, support, and competition needed to reach their full potential—locally, regionally, and nationally," said Jordan Raper, Executive Director, Match Fit Surf.
"The addition of NLSA Surf to the Surf family and the recent re-brand of Match Fit Surf in New Jersey, particularly in the Mercer County area, is a testament to the strength and growth of Surf Nation in the Northeast. Together, we are dedicated to providing the best experiences and unmatched opportunities for our players; New Jersey Surf is looking forward to the continued collaboration and unity of all Surf clubs within New Jersey," said Neil Holloway, President of New Jersey Surf.
A network of clubs has now been created in New Jersey that is composed of some of the top sports management executives, coaches, and administrators working together to elevate the experiences, opportunities, and pathways for players throughout the state. As part of the Surf Nation network, NLSA Surf players and families will have access to additional support on and off the field to ensure we strive to be the number one soccer destination. The top players from NLSA Surf will have direct access to Surf Select, an unprecedented identification program built through Surf Nation for players U9 through U17 at the Regional and National levels. The Surf Select program draws from the Surf Network, a player pool that expands from Puerto Rico and Rhode Island to Hawaii and Canada to compete in some of the best domestic and international events in world football.
For more information and tryout information, visit nlsasurf.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, 20+ national championships, and countless professional, collegiate, and international players, we are forever striving to be the "Best of the Best."
NLSA Surf joins our 50+ Surf National Affiliates to comprise what we're proud to call Surf Nation.
