United Soccer Leagues W-League - new exhibition club in Hamden, CT

HAMDEN, CT – The rising game of women’s soccer in the United States will pick up another blossom in 2007 as the Connecticut Football Club based out of Hamden, Connecticut joins United Soccer Leagues W-League as an exhibition club. Baring any unforeseen complications, the club will join either the North or Northeastern division of the W-League’s Eastern Conference officially in 2008. The club, equipped with deep roots in three rich youth soccer areas of Connecticut, will position their 2008 W-League side atop their youth base and complete a club pyramid concurrent of the USL model.

“It was an easy decision to bring the Connecticut Football Club into the W-League,” said W-League Director Kristin Lettiere. “CFC’s General Manager Steve Coxon came to us with a list of goals for their club that coincided with several USL initiatives. They have a strong youth base well established in New England. I have no doubt this club will generate competitive sides very early in their history.”

Connecticut Football Club is already the biggest female club in the state, drawing players out of Hartford, New Haven, and Fairfield Counties, beginning at the U9 level and working up the ladder.

“Our goal for the future is to put as many CFC players onto our W-League roster as possible,” said Coxon. “We want to give our former players a place to come back to. We have girls starting their freshman seasons at Norte Dame, Indiana, UConn, Clemson, and Villanova who will make us competitive right away. Kelly Shimmin, the 2006 W-League scoring Champion, will likely be our first signing. She has been a staple of our club and Central Connecticut State University in the past. Her goal scoring and technical ability make us instantly competitive.”

The process of positioning an amateur franchise above an established youth base is a proven and mutually beneficial way to create a premier club. Coxon (Quinnipiac University), Sean Driscoll (Manhattan College), Matt Micros (Post University), Todd Plourde (Yale University), and Victor Rosario believe they have both the on-field talent and coaching proficiency to create a top tier W-League side in New England.

“I believe it is very attractive for a nine year old player to look at an organization and see somewhere they can play when they are 18,” added Coxon. “Watching the game at its highest level growing up with our club will also add to the technical ability of our players.”

“After playing in the USL First Division for eight seasons, it was a very natural fit for me to choose United Soccer Leagues W-League as the place for my club’s top level side to compete,” added Coxon. “USL has always been run very professionally. That was the type of organization I was looking to establish.”

More on CFC Coach and Player Kelly Shimmin:

http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/142552.html