The New Jersey Wildcats formally announced today they have renewed their partnership with the West Windsor-Plainsboro Soccer Association.

Together, WWPSA and the Wildcats will undertake a number of initiatives in 2009, including:

• Wildcats will conduct a Tactical & Positional Training (T&P) Clinic in the Spring
• WWPSA will host Wildcats team practices (May to July)
• Wildcats will host pre-practice clinics for WWPSA players (June and July)
• A U20 Wildcats team will be formed in cooperation with the WWPSA U19G Breakaways squad
• Wildcats will host a Summer Camp (July 13-17, 2009)
• WWPSA Gameday at the Wildcats (Friday 12th June)
• WWPSA to support Wildcats with gameday volunteers
• Wildcats ticket sales fundraiser for WWPSA teams

New Jersey Wildcats under New Ownership

The news comes at an exciting time in franchise history as USP Soccer, Inc., one of the largest soccer service providers in the state, was additionally proclaimed the new ownership group of the 2005 W-League champion Wildcats.

“This partnership just makes sense,” USP Soccer President Kevin McDermott remarked.  “WWPSA and the Wildcats can help each other through this strategic partnership with the Wildcats getting to the highest level and WWPSA providing more outlets to college age players at the U-19, U-20, U-23 and W-League level.  The WWPSA with the Wildcats partnership now offers programs on the girls side from recreation to travel to U-19, U-20, U-23, Adult and W-League.  Everyone in WWPSA from age 5 to 30 on the women’s side now has a place to play!” 

About WWPSA

WWPSA was formed in 1979, and they have a mission to provide youth and adults the opportunity to play instructional and competitive soccer at the highest level commensurate with their ability, potential and interest. WWPSA is one of the largest soccer clubs in New Jersey offering a number of programs including Youth Recreational Soccer (1,500 players),  Youth Travel Soccer (550 players on 40 teams plus 85 players in the Travel Development Academy), Adult Recreational Soccer (120 players) and Adult Competitive Soccer (80 players).

An alliance with one of the top women’s teams in North America enables WWPSA to create learning and training opportunities for all girls participating in its recreational and travel soccer programs, to develop interest in attending high quality soccer games, and to enhance the profile of the Club in the wider soccer community. The NJ Wildcats will participate directly in the development of girls youth soccer, developing potential future team players while creating a local fan base at the same time. WWPSA will also offer practical support hosting some Wildcats practices and providing operational staff for Wildcats home games.

About USP Soccer

Announced concurrently with the partnership is the news of USP Soccer, Inc. becoming the new ownership group of the Wildcats.   “We have been wanting a W-League team for a few years, and we are excited to take over this well-established franchise,” McDermott commented.  “We hope to find ourselves in the playoffs this year and, within three years, win a league championship.”

McDermott is a lifetime supporter of soccer and founded USP Soccer in 1997.  An All-State player while suiting up for Middletown High School North, he continued his playing career at the collegiate level when he played for the University of Rhode Island.  He also played among the professional ranks for the New Jersey Barons of the USL before hitting the sidelines to begin a coaching career.  He first served as head coach of the New Jersey Splash U-23 squad, winning a national championship, before serving alongside two-time W-League Coach of the Year Charlie Naimo with the New Brunswick Power and Central Jersey Splash.  He also made stops as an assistant at Monmouth University and Lafayette College.

USP Soccer, Inc. was founded in October of 1997 and has seen much success with their youth academy team over the past decade.  USP Soccer sees over 1100 players and 30 teams participate in their training program annually, and the program has produced nine New Jersey State Cup champions, six Region-1 champions and a pair of national championships.

“With our academy program, we have teams ranging from U-8 to U-18,” McDermott stated.  “With the addition of a W-League side, we now have the ability to offer a place for top talent to play.”

About the New Jersey Wildcats

The New Jersey Wildcats played their debut season in the W-League in 1996 and have competed every season since.  Under the guidance of then-head coach Charlie Naimo, the Wildcats compiled a 41-1 regular season record from 2004-06, winning regular season titles in 2004 and 2006 while taking the W-League championship in 2005. Following the 2005 season, the Wildcats were named the USL Franchise of the Year, and Naimo won the FieldTurf W-League Coach of the Year award in 2006.

The USL W-League played its inaugural season in 1995, and it is recognized as the premiere development league for female players in North America.  The schedule is set to open next May and commence in August. 

For more information or questions regarding the WWPSA/ NJ Wildcats partnership, please contact execdirector@wwpsa.org.