More investors and academy announced

Discussion in 'Tampa Bay Rowdies' started by SoccerPrime, Jan 27, 2010.

  1. SoccerPrime

    SoccerPrime Moderator
    Staff Member

    All of them
    Apr 14, 2003
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://www.fctampabay.com/news/index.html?article_id=9107

    Mr. Tom Dempsey, owner of Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Fla. was also announced as a new team investor. Mainsail Lodging and Development Group was announced as the exclusive housing partner of the FC Tampa Bay organization.

    Finally, FC Tampa Bay announced that its Academy International Residency Program will be headquartered at Saddlebrook Resort. TBR Academy Residency Program will start with 20 to 25 international and domestic players. Players will be housed and schooled at Saddlebrook, as well as trained by the FC Tampa Bay Academy coaching staff led by Technical Director Perry Van Der Beck.
     
  2. flornatref

    flornatref Member

    Feb 2, 2005
    this is a commitment right here to the area and the level of professionalism for hte club. to have the owner of saddlebrook on the investment team is big, but to have an academy housed there as well is a mighty large step in the right direction. well done fc tampa bay rowdies.
     
  3. BlackCoffee&Bourbon

    BlackCoffee&Bourbon New Member

    Feb 3, 2007
    Monticello, FL
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    that is some great news. hopefully they will allocate enough resources to make the academy something worthwhile. i like that there seems to be a solid commitment on the part of the Rowdies. if the people come and they can show there is a viable market in tampa for soccer i think MLS will be here sooner, rather than later despite the mutiny contraction.
     
  4. law5guy

    law5guy Member

    Jun 26, 2001
    It is very interesting that they decided to create their own residency program. I think this could be very positive. I wonder if it will use the model that the US U-17s that are in residency down at IMG?
     
  5. flornatref

    flornatref Member

    Feb 2, 2005
    Let's stay in the here and now and make this successful rather than worry if MLS will come back or not. Remember all the talk after the first MLS game which drew nearly 30,000. Everyone was claiming there would be 50,000 for the July 4 match and soccer would be here to stay. We all know how that story ended.
     
  6. BlackCoffee&Bourbon

    BlackCoffee&Bourbon New Member

    Feb 3, 2007
    Monticello, FL
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Yeah, I know. One step at a time but it's always fun to look ahead and hope for a return of MLS to Florida!
     
  7. flornatref

    flornatref Member

    Feb 2, 2005
    I would love to see MLS in Florida. It would cut down on some of my travel.:D
     
  8. quinella box

    quinella box Member

    May 24, 1999
    Clearwater, FL USA
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Attendance for the first game in '96 was about 28,000. July 4th games were about 23,000 most years, not counting the thousands that showed up at the end of the game to see the biggest fireworks show in town.
     
  9. WhiteStar Warriors

    Mar 25, 2007
    St.Pete/Krakow
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Good old days, hope the Rowdies do the same with fourth of july.
     
  10. FNovoa

    FNovoa Member

    Dec 28, 2000
    Redington Shores, FL
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    That would be dope
     
  11. G Enriquez

    G Enriquez Member+

    Apr 1, 2002
    Tampa
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Do you ref MLS games?
     
  12. Osgood1978

    Osgood1978 Member

    Jul 20, 2007
    Amelia Island, Florida
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I second that I would love to see MLS in florida also. If I have to drive to Tampa it is only 4 hrs which is fine with me since the closest would be DC United which is about 10 hrs from Jacksonville where I'm at
     

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