After Five Year Partnership with the Rowdies, Tampa Bay United Announces a Return to Legacy Branding
For Immediate Release
TAMPA, FL (February 26, 2020) – The Tampa Bay Rowdies and Tampa Bay United Soccer Club (TBU) announced today the conclusion of their formal relationship but will continue to remain strong partners for the growth of the game in the Tampa Bay region.
During the past five years, the organizations have built and implemented a coach and player development model that benefitted thousands of children from throughout the Tampa Bay region. This model emphasized the success of the player, both on- and off-the-field while exposing families to the excitement of Rowdies soccer.
“We want to thank Tampa Bay United for their fantastic partnership over the past several years,” said Tampa Bay Rowdies President Lee Cohen. “We have all benefited from the relationship and together contributed a great deal to the game in the Tampa Bay community. Both organizations have provided a pathway for players to develop from the youth level and earn opportunities to play for the Rowdies. We look forward to continuing to work together in the community and continuing to provide opportunities for tomorrow’s future stars.”
The Rowdies are grateful to TBU leadership, its Board of Directors, and everyone at the club for their partnership over the last five years working together to improve the landscape of youth soccer in the region. The Rowdies remain committed to providing equal opportunities to all youth players throughout the region through our current partnerships with Florida Youth Soccer Association and YMCA. In addition to those efforts, the Rowdies are in the process of launching a USL Academy program under a free-to-play model.
“We are grateful for the Rowdies partnership which has significantly benefitted TBU’s families, players, and coaches. We have elevated youth soccer and TBU will always root for the green & gold,” said Anthony Latronica, Sporting Director for TBU. “It’s vital that Rowdies Youth Network partners support our local professional team. We are committed to providing opportunities for TBU players, both current and future, to go to the next level. And we’re equally excited to provide support and options for the Rowdies USL Academy program, as well as for Head Coach Neill Collins and his first-team staff. Continuing to work together on the technical side will help complete the pathway to pro for all players from the greater Tampa Bay area and beyond.”
TBU programs will continue to wear Rowdies colors and branding through the end of the current season, and then transition to wearing the historical TBU crest and red, white and blue uniforms starting with the ’21 – ‘22 season.
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About Tampa Bay United Soccer Club (TBU)
The Tampa Bay United Soccer Club is one of the top soccer clubs in the state of Florida. Dedicated to the development of the sport of soccer for the youth player, the organization offers opportunities to participate and advance in the game for recreational and competitive players. In partnership with U.S. Soccer, the TBU Development Academy recognizes elite soccer athletes, pairing them with expert coaches to create the next generation of National Team players. TBU is also a member of the ECNL, a league that enhances the development of the female and male soccer athletes, and has four soccer campuses throughout Tampa Bay (Waters Avenue, Ed Radice, and Monroe in South Tampa). For more information, please visit https://tbusc.com/.
Additional Press Contact:
Anthony Latronica
Sporting Director, Tampa Bay United
alatronica@tbusc.com
