Tega Cay, S.C. (October 21st, 2022) — Independence Soccer Club and the City of Tega Cay S.C. announced a landmark, multi-year partnership today making Independence SC the official partner to Tega Cay for all soccer programming services.

The exclusive agreement demonstrates Independence SC’s commitment to help grow the profile of soccer in Tega Cay from the youth level to high school, college, and on up to the professional ranks, while serving the community on and off the field.

As an industry leader focused on symbiotic growth with all partners, the partnership is expected to have a tremendous economic impact on the City of Tega Cay and will provide the best possible soccer environment for players, coaches, parents, referees, and staff.

Thomas Finlay, Chief Executive Officer at Independence Soccer Club said: “Our continued and extended partnership with the City of Tega Cay simply reflects the renewed and extended commitment from the club to the Independence soccer community in the South.”

“This partnership allows us to strategically operate and schedule in the City of Tega Cay as well as lead over 1000 recreation soccer players each season. We’re excited and can’t wait to extend the benefits for Catawba Park to our members and beyond.”

As part of the long-term commitment, Independence SC will further develop, promote, and administer the game of soccer in Tega Cay using the key values of Character, Commitment, Community, Competition, and Communication as the guiding principles to achieve success and provide an exceptional experience, while also developing and promoting life lessons and values.

“The partnership with Independence SC over the years has brought a tremendous amount of value to our recreation program through camps, coach trainings, and player development” said Dustin Overton, Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Tega Cay. “We are excited for the future as they continue to grow and enhance the City’s recreational soccer program.” 

As part of the historic partnership, Catawba Park will host the club’s future soccer tournaments for participating leagues and showcase events. Independence SC will develop a team of marketing staff that will market and attract national and international soccer tournaments. These experiences will fill showcase venues such as Catawba Park and Manchester Meadows with soccer enthusiasts, youth to adult. Additional activation of camps and hosting recreation affiliates will allow the venue to become the focal point of soccer for all.

Catawba Park will provide a world-class environment to develop players and coaches of all ages. Both complexes will be utilized for ECNL regional play and standardized as a meeting place for clubs and leagues to merge.

As part of the renewed relationship, Independence SC will continue to build onto and develop the existing premier recreation program.

The comprehensive partnership comes at an exciting time as Independence SC is one of the top-10 largest, youth-to-professional clubs in the United States with a player network of close to 12,000 members. With the partnership now announced, Independence SC will begin to collaborate with Tega Cay to market to new audiences as well as establish grassroots marketing initiatives that are specific to the community.

For more information regarding the agreement with Tega Cay, visit independencesoccer.club. Additional information will be forth coming directly to Independence SC’s members.

ABOUT INDEPENDENCE SOCCER CLUB: In April 2019, the Independence announced a historic formation of the Independence Soccer Club (Independence SC). Independence Soccer Club is one of the top-10 largest, youth-to-professional clubs in the United States with a player network of close to 12,000 members, formed from existing youth soccer clubs of Carolina Rapids Soccer Club, Discoveries Soccer Club, and Lake Norman Soccer Club. Together, Independence Soccer Club is positioned to build a better club in serving the surrounding soccer communities.

Independence Soccer Club is a comprehensive soccer club with playing levels for boys and girls ranging from recreation levels, state leagues, ECNL, USL (United Soccer League) Academy, USL League Two, USL W League, and USL League One. The creation of Independence Soccer from Carolina Rapids Soccer Club, Discoveries Soccer Club, and Lake Norman Soccer Club allows for pooled resources from all clubs, which effectively elevates player experiences and club programming, increases in coaches development opportunities, and strengthened partnerships with local municipalities and sponsors. The affiliation with the Independence professional soccer team provides players a clear pathway to the highest level of professional soccer. The Independence currently plays in the United Soccer League One at the Sportsplex at Matthews and is focused on building the profile of the club through culture, community and performance as the team moves to a revitalized 10,000-seat American Legion Memorial Stadium in the spring of 2021.

The creation of Independence Soccer Club has allowed for pooled resources from all legacy clubs, which has effectively elevated player experiences, expanded club programming, increased coaching development opportunities, and strengthened partnerships with local municipalities and sponsors. It has also enhanced marketing efforts, increased sponsorship opportunities, and facilitated future infrastructure development in every single community associated with the club.