Jersey based Whitmill Trust Company Limited is delighted to this
week announce their involvement in the VisionPro Sports Institute
(VSI) following a recent press conference in Florida. During
the conference VSI announced that it has entered into a number of
franchise agreements with United Soccer Leagues in the USA. The
agreements between VSI and USL will enable VSI to enter teams,
based in Tampa, Florida, into a number of USL Leagues including the
USL PRO, USL Premier Development League, USL W-League and USL
Super-20 League
Commenting on the agreement USL CEO Alec Papadakis said "This is
a great day for the Tampa soccer community, most notably youth
players and fans. Not only will an elite academy be established so
top young talent can pursue their professional dreams, but Tampa
will have new professional and elite men's and women's amateur
teams to support for years to come. Backed by some of the top names
in world soccer, VisionPro Sports Institute will make a difference
for Tampa soccer."
Headquartered in Jersey, VSI uses the support and backing of
some of football's leading professionals including current and ex
English Premiership players and managers to establish and operate
elite academies for young talent.
The US franchise agreement is another milestone for VSI as it
continues to develop its international academy business, for the
elite development coaching of young players.
Joining the VSI team at the conference was its International
Ambassador Ian Wright the ex-England and Arsenal player who has an
active interest in the business. Nobody knows better than Ian about
the values that VSI stands for as he himself was nearly 23 years
old when he was plucked from obscurity by Crystal Palace and went
on to win every domestic honour in the English professional
game.
Football, or Soccer as known in the US, continues to grow at a
significant rate and now has the largest participation of
youngsters than any other sport in the country. This growth is also
reflected by the number of players from the US now competing in the
Premiership and currently includes Tim Howard (Everton), Clint
Dempsey (Fulham), Brad Friedel (Spurs) and Stuart Holden
(Bolton).
Neil Caisley a Director of VSI commented "I am delighted that
our VSI soccer business now extends across the Atlantic and
embraces North America through our Tampa franchises. It has been a
major part of our plans for growing the business and we look
forward to exciting times ahead and becoming part of the USL
family".
Frederick Deacon Director of Whitmill Trust Company and
Executive Director of VSI went on to say "We are thrilled to be
involved with VSI and whole heartedly support its aims and
objectives. Along with the launch of the Tampa academy we are also
working with VSI in relation to their first European academy based
in Spain also with regard to the launch of an academy in Portugal
in the near future. Longer term plans include further development
into the Middle East and Asia. This is a new and unique structure
which now stretches across continents, and which is exciting for us
and also for Jersey to be involved with."
