San Diego, CA, August 8th, 2025 – Surf Nation is proud to announce the launch of the Surf Select Platinum Program — a fully funded identification tier within the Surf Select player development pathway. Recognized globally for delivering exceptional experiences and opportunities, this new program represents a reinvestment into our community and an expansion of our elite pathway to compete at the highest levels of youth football.
In partnership with the annual Surf Nation Champions League, players in the U14 (2012 birth year) boys and girls age groups for the 2025/26 season will be identified for Surf Select Platinum during the event at Surf Sports Park in San Diego, CA. Selected players will earn a fully funded trip to Surf Cup International Salou — one of Europe’s most prestigious youth football tournaments.
“We are delighted to introduce this new tier to the Surf Select national team program,” says Andy Prosser, Surf Nation Director. “The Surf Select program has been the pinnacle of our player development pyramid for individual players, and we are proud to fully fund a team of U14 boys and girls to head to Spain to compete in the prestigious Surf Cup International, Salou. The U14 age group is critical for many nations since it’s the start of the ID process. To date in 2025, Surf Nation has seen 100+ players across 15 nationalities called up to training centers. Using the Surf Nation Champions League event, an all-inclusive event for our community now provides an extra level of competition as players compete to win the event, but continue to showcase their talent and gain a spot with the platinum program.
“The Surf Select program represents our commitment to recognizing and rewarding talent. SCI Salou is a world-class tournament that draws top academy teams from elite footballing nations like Spain, England, Portugal, and the Netherlands. The level of competition—especially at the U14 age group—is incredibly high, making it a perfect platform for our players to test themselves and be seen on the international stage. This is not just about development—it’s about opportunity.”
The Surf Select program is a national identification program for players aged U9-U17 who have the talent, drive, and ambition to compete against the “Best of the Best”. Through a series of regional and national events, top players are identified to represent Surf Select and compete at some of the top domestic and international competitions across the global youth soccer landscape.
The Surf Nation Champions League will take place over Presidents Day weekend 2026 in conjunction with our Surf Select U9-U11 National Team Tryouts and our newly formed U12-U13 Regional Cup at Surf Sports Park. Registration will open following Labor Day weekend, and will welcome all teams at the U14 age group across the Surf Nation community. To learn more about the Surf Select program please Click Here.
About Surf:
For over 47 years, Surf has proudly stood as a pioneer in youth soccer with a proven track record of developing players into international youth training centers, professional academies, collegiate ranks, and professional teams around the world.
With a legacy rooted in excellence, we’ve contributed over $12 million in charitable donations, claimed more than 20+ national championships, and helped launch the careers of countless players. At Surf, we are driven by one goal: to be the Best of the Best—on and off the field.
