FLORIDA TROPICS AND PINELLAS COUNTY UNITED REACH YOUTH CLUB PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

LAKELAND, FL– The Tropics youth club umbrella is getting bigger. Following the announcement of the partnership of the WPSL franchise, The Tropics and Pinellas County United SC have reached an agreement for the St. Petersburg/Pinellas County area club to become an official youth club affiliate. The Club will be rebranded to the PCU Tropics, pending FYSA approval.

“We are very excited about this agreement”, said Tropics General Manager Andrew Ross, “this partnership comes at a great time in our organization as we have been looking to grow the youth side of our organization and give young players the ability to have new experiences and a path to professional soccer.”

Pinellas County United SC is the second youth club to become an affiliate of Tropics Soccer Club after Lakeland FC became an affiliate earlier this year (now known as Lakeland Tropics FC). The affiliation will give players and coaches increased exposure and more opportunities to experience soccer at the next level of both women’s and men’s soccer.

Kai Velmer who serves as the PCU Director of Operations commented saying, “We are excited to join Lakeland FC and become an official youth affiliate of Florida Tropics SC. Tropics SC is an engaging and progressive professional soccer club with dedicated staff and ownership. It's an incredible opportunity to be working with a professional club that is located right here, in the Tampa Bay area.”

Both organizations are looking forward to the impact the affiliation will have on Pinellas County youth soccer and beyond. “By continuing to grow our organization and develop our players with new and different experiences, we will have a positive impact in our local communities of St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park,” said Velmer.

Pinellas County United coaches and players will also be outfitted by the Danish sportswear company Hummel, the same brand that currently outfits the Florida Tropics MASL team, Lakeland Tropics PDL team, and the Lakeland Tropics FC youth club.

“I look forward to working alongside Don and Kai to further enhance our overall structure and provide additional pathways for our players to improve,” said Tropics PDL Head Coach and Technical Director Eoghan Conlon.

The Tropics will kick off their 2018 USL PDL season on May 12^th vs. Next Academy Palm Beach, following their first ever US Open Cup match on May 9^th vs. Midland-Odessa FC in Texas. For ticket information visit www.TropicsSoccer.com , or call 863-240-0101.

 ABOUT TROPICS SOCCER CLUB

Tropics Soccer Club is a professional soccer organization based in Lakeland, Florida. The Tropics operate a Major Arena Soccer League Franchise (Florida Tropics SC), a USL PDL franchise (Lakeland Tropics), and a WPSL franchise (Florida Tropics SC Women’s). The Tropics youth club umbrella includes Lakeland Tropics FC, and now PCU Tropics. The Tropics are owned and operated by Central Florida Sports Ventures, LLC headquarter in Lakeland, FL. More information can be found at TropicsSoccer.com.

ABOUT PINELLAS COUNTY UNITED

Pinellas County United SC is a youth soccer organization with locations in St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park. In 2012, the Azalea Youth Soccer League competitive program was rebranded to a new name and colors of the “Pinellas County United Soccer Club.” The Recreational program continues to play under the same familiar name of Azalea Youth Soccer League that has served the community since 1978.  More information can be found at pcusoccer.com.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Dakota Brian Hill at 863.240.0101 ext. 1001 or email at dakotafltropics@gmail.com.