NEFC and Black Watch Premier Soccer Club Merge

05/05/2014

News Announcement: May 5, 2014

New England Futbol Club (NEFC) and Black Watch Premier Soccer Club are pleased to announce that the two clubs have agreed to merge. As of the June tryouts, the combined club will officially compete under the name NEFC, and will standout as one of the largest and most competitive effective with NEFC membership ratification. NEFC has grown to become one of the largest premier youth soccer clubs in New England with over 2000 players.

NEFC has seen rapid growth and strong Regional and National success in the past 5 years. In 2009, New England Eagles FC merged with FC Puma to create NEFC and in 2012, NEFC merged with Grasshoppers FC.

Black Watch Premier President and Founder, Scott Cannon, established the club in 2004 with 2 teams and has worked diligently to expand it to 15 teams. “It is the structure and mission of NEFC as a non-for-profit 501(C)(3) along with their professional staff, regional structure, Elite teams and additional programming that made this such an attractive opportunity. This powerful merger creates exciting opportunities for both organizations as well as the competitive players in the area. The NEFC partnership will bring value to families in the Rhode Island region by providing access to the resources of one of the largest, and most professional youth soccer development infrastructures in the northeast. By combining our resources, there will be tremendous growth opportunities which will enable us to rival any club in the region”, stated Scott Cannon.

“NEFC is excited to have Scott and the entire Black Watch Premier organization join the NEFC family. “Scott brings with him a wealth of experience related to developing and running successful youth soccer programs. He has been at the forefront of youth development in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. It quickly became evident that Black Watch Premier and NEFC’s goals and missions were aligned. The geographic expansion into Rhode Island with a quality club such as Black Watch is strategically important to us. NEFC will be able to provide a path for Black Watch’s elite players to develop in an elite environment.” stated Brian Mazar, President, NEFC.

This merger creates an exciting time for both organizations and competitive players in the area. With the merger, NEFC will have a greater geographic reach with current training facilities in Attleboro, Belmont, Berlin, Braintree, Concord, Dartmouth, Fall River, Holliston, Hudson, Lexington, Mansfield, Marlboro, Medford, Millis, Newton, Norfolk, Seekonk, Somerville, Taunton, Waltham, and Weston. NEFC will train throughout Rhode Island, the metro-north, central Massachusetts, south shore and south coast regions, which will allow for convenient accessibility for the serious soccer player.

NEFC will also have an extensive Regional Development Program for players aged 6 to 10 run by NEFC’s professional coaching staff. NEFC will have over 300 players in its rapidly growing Regional Development Centers with training in close proximity to players’ neighborhoods.

“Black Watch has been a close neighbor and respected rival since NEFC started operating out of the Fall River area. Given our geographic proximity, Black Watch and NEFC South Coast will start working together immediately to both ensure a smooth transition for our new partner and to strengthen our own program. After years of exchanging players and coaches, we`re excited to play for the same team”, stated Pat Marino, Regional Coaching Director South Coast Region.