San Diego, CA., January 10, 2025— Surf Nation and Match Fit Surf are proud to announce the launch of our newest partner club, Match Fit Surf South Jersey. 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 a further expansion in New Jersey.
Effective immediately, RUSA Soccer Academy, based in Glassboro, NJ, and located at Rowan University, will re-brand at Match Fit Surf South Jersey. Launching in partnership with Match Fit & 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, Match Fit Academy South Jersey will continue to provide a high-quality player development experience and, through the transition to Surf, will now have access to extended pathways for its players and coaching staff on a regional and national level.
“We are delighted to bring Justin, Scott and the RUSA community into the Surf Nation and Match Fit Surf Family. This is another great step in building a dedicated network of clubs & leaders within New Jersey and the North East,” said Andy Prosser Surf Nation Director. “We firmly believe that collaboration and coordination will only enhance player development; there is too much local fighting between clubs, and the Surf brand takes responsibility for changing the narrative. It's time for more clubs to work together in creating the right player development pathway, and we are excited to see what we can achieve by creating a network of great leaders,” added Prosser.
"We are thrilled to welcome RUSA into the Match Fit Surf family," said Jordan Raper, General Manager of Match Fit Surf. This partnership represents an exciting step forward for player development in New Jersey. Combining RUSA's strong foundation with Surf's proven pathways and resources creates more opportunities for players and coaches to succeed at the highest levels. This collaboration underscores our shared vision of building a unified approach to player development and growing the game in our region," added Raper.
"We are delighted to embark on this exciting new chapter as Match Fit Surf South Jersey, working closely with both Match Fit and Surf Nation. This partnership combines the best of both worlds—Match Fit's esteemed track record in player development and Surf's national reach and resources. By joining these forces, we create unparalleled opportunities for our players to excel and compete at the highest levels. This collaboration underscores our commitment to developing exceptional talent and fostering a vibrant soccer community in New Jersey," said Justin Abbey, Owner of RUSA Soccer Academy.
“I am enthusiastic about the strategic vision and opportunity we are about to embark on with announcing our partnership with Match Fit and Surf Nation, emphasizing their combined strengths in player development and national reach. The collaboration aims to create a robust environment for South Jersey players to thrive, ensuring they have access to top-tier resources and opportunities. By focusing on exceptional talent development and community engagement, the partnership is set to enhance the soccer landscape in South Jersey and New Jersey, benefiting athletes and fostering a stronger soccer community,” said Scott Baker, Owner of RUSA Soccer Academy.
"The addition of Match Fit Surf South Jersey to the Surf family 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.
As part of the Surf Nation network, Match Fit Surf South Jersey will have full access to additional support on and off the field. Match Fit Academy Surf will be integrated into the Match Fit Academy Surf player development pathway, now giving their players access to ECNL and 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 https://www.matchfitsurf.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 youth national team players, we are forever striving to be the "Best of the Best."
Match Fit Surf South Jersey joins our 50+ Surf National Affiliates to comprise what we're proud to call Surf Nation.
