Watchung Hills SA/Match Fit Academy Announce Partnership for NJ Elite Program

Watchung Hills SA and Match Fit Academy Announce Partnership for NJ Elite Program

Watchung Hills Soccer Association (WHSA) and Match Fit Academy FC (MFAFC) are pleased to announce their Strategic Training Partnership. In conjunction with this new partnership, WHSA is also proud to announce the expansion of its NJ Elite Program to include NJ Elite teams at certain age groups. MFAFC trainers will coach and train many of those teams.

WHSA has had a strong track record of developing highly competitive youth boys’ and girls’ soccer teams. The WHSA NJ Elite teams will continue to build upon WHSA’s successful NJ Elite and Travel Programs and provide all players a potential pathway to ECNL and NPL through the partnership with MFAFC.

NJ Elite will build upon the success of the current NJ Elite and WHSA Travel programs by bridging the competitive gap between those two programs. NJ Elite teams will initially compete in EDP mid to upper level flights and provide another level of play for the committed soccer player.

NJ Elite teams will be reserved for players seeking a higher, more committed level of competition and will have the following key features:

Full time Professional staff coach/trainer
Oversight by MFAFC and WHSA Directors of Coaching
Access to ECNL and NPL Boys and Girls programs through MFAFC
Player pathway through collaboration
All training and match play will continue out of WHSA’s turf facilities

“We are extremely excited to partner with WHSA to develop their NJ Elite teams. WHSA has a proven track record of player development from grass roots to their NJ Elite program since their inception. Our partnership will allow for a player pathway to our ECNL Boys and Girls program while aiding the development of players at all levels within WHSA and the surrounding area. Like-minded clubs working toward the common goal of fostering development embodies our partnership model and WHSA is another ideal partner for us at MFAFC“– Chris Leahey, MFAFC Executive Director & Boys ECNL Director

“We are very excited to partner with Match Fit. This new partnership will allow us to provide our players another pathway from their initial youth development, to academy level play, and ultimately to college. We have a great new structure, as part of this launch with MFAFC, that will promote player development and give more opportunities to our NJ Elite teams.”– Antonio Pagkalinawan, WHSA Vice President

“As the soccer landscape continues to evolve in New Jersey, we will continue to enhance our programs to provide players with an exceptional environment to develop their soccer skills and compete at the highest levels. With the addition of NJ Elite Orange, WHSA now offers a complete range of soccer options for area children. From our in-town recreation program, sending district travel teams, NJ Elite to NJ Elite Gold, every player has an opportunity to play in our club at the right competitive level. The partnership with MFAFC allows us to execute on this strategy and provide a player pathway for all our players. We are thrilled with the MFAFC partnership and look forward to working with them to support our NJ Elite teams.”– Frank Sena, WHSA President