San Diego, CA, April 15th, 2026 – Surf Nation is proud to announce the launch of its newest partner club, FC Athletico Surf, further expanding the organization’s national footprint by strengthening its player development pathway in North Carolina.
Recognized as a leader in youth soccer, the Surf brand and community are renowned for their professionalism, on-field performance, football education, and most importantly, their deep commitment to long-term player development. Surf Nation’s mission is to create best of the best experiences and opportunities for players, coaches, and families, and the addition of FC Athletico Surf represents another step forward in that commitment.
Effective immediately, FC Athletico will transition to FC Athletico Surf, bringing the globally recognized Surf identity to North Carolina. Led by a senior leadership team of sports management executives and coaches with deep ties to the community, FC Athletico Surf will continue to provide a high quality, player-focused experience and will now have access to provide further opportunities for its players and coaching staff within the Surf Nation community, locally, regionally, and nationally.
FC Athletico Surf has demonstrated a strong commitment to grassroots development and sustained player progression. Its leadership team and coaching staff are fully aligned with Surf Nation’s standards and philosophy, dedicated to delivering a structured, high quality developmental environment.
By joining Surf Nation, players and families at FC Athletico Surf will gain access to expanded resources, enhanced development opportunities, and the support of a global soccer network dedicated to helping players reach their full potential both on and off the field.
“We are excited to take our first step in bringing the Surf brand to North Carolina, specifically Mooresville and Iredell County! The history, story and mission of the organization aligns perfectly with the Surf Nation mission and we are excited for the future.” Says Andy Prosser, Director of Surf Nation. “To see the hard work, dedication and commitment to the organization to date ensured this is a great fit and we are fully committed to being the number one youth soccer destination in the community and surrounding areas. We welcome FC Athletico to the Surf Nation family and look forward to elevating the experience and opportunities for the players, families and coaches.”
“Our partnership with Surf Soccer is a true milestone for us. Partnering with the #1 brand in the United States is long overdue for a recognition of the individual & collective success of the past 12 years. The success is a testament to our unrelenting commitment to player development, and we look forward to what lies ahead as FC Athletico Surf!” Says Tinashe Mugabe, Club Founder & Executive Director. “A new era begins for FC Athletico Surf, offering all our players access to resources, exclusive events, and nationally recognized competitive platforms, while providing a clear pathway for each player to reach their goals. We are thrilled for a partnership that allows us to keep our players and their aspirations at the forefront. Providing each player in our FC Athletico Surf family everything they need to get the most out of their youth soccer experience, while maintaining our family ethos and values, is what excites us most. To this community, we will continue to be more than just a club!”
“Our state-of-the-art facilities, unparalleled training, and ability to develop technically gifted and tactically astute players have brought regional and national recognition for our one-of-a-kind, player-centered approach. The alignment of our values and purpose is what makes this partnership special for our growing family.” Says Charlton Muhlauri, Club Director
“Rebranding to FC Athletico Surf only enhances our ability to fulfill our purpose, serving our community and beyond. This partnership is right up there with the many milestones we’ve had in more than a decade of soccer in North Carolina.” Says Nick Brindley, Club Director
Additionally, FC Athletico Surf players will now have direct access to Surf Select, Surf Nation’s elite player identification program for athletes ages U9 through U17 at both the regional and national levels. The Surf Select program draws from Surf Nation clubs across North America and provides selected players with opportunities to compete in some of the top domestic and international events in world football.
This partnership marks another significant milestone in Surf Nation’s continued expansion and its commitment to building a world-class player pathway throughout the United States and beyond.
About Surf:
For over 49 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, the 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 professional, collegiate, and international players. At Surf, we are driven by one goal: to be the Best of the Best both on and off the field.
FC Athletico Surf joins our 60+ Surf affiliates to comprise what we are proud to call Surf Nation.
