Under the new USL Academy system, the Charleston Battery 03 and 07 USL teams came together for the first time this week. The players enjoyed a media session at MUSC Health Stadium, and the players and parents received direction and introduction from Mike Kelleher, president of the Charleston Battery, and Derek Broadley, CBSC’s Youth Technical Director. “We are excited to work with the USL and develop a league that is similar to some of the top soccer countries in the world,” said Kelleher.
The players had their first training session of the season with coaches David Proctor & Flemming Rasmussen. The teams will compete this fall against other USL & MLS Academy’s in some friendly games and will play in the 2020 Inaugural USL Academy Cup. The teams will train 3-4 times a week under the direction of Broadley, with Proctor and Rasmussen leading the sessions. “The players in Charleston are in a great situation,” said Rasmussen. “If they are looking to play professional soccer this is the place to be, not too many players have this kind of opportunity on their doorstep.” Rasmussen, a Danish UEFA License holder, possesses a wealth of youth development experience here in the United States and in Europe.
Proctor comes to Charleston from USL Championship side Nashville SC with 10 years of academy experience having worked with Major League Soccer sides Colorado Rapids and Columbus Crew. “The players here will have top class facilities and access to high level training in a learning environment that will help develop players into USL professionals,” added Proctor when discussing the training of both teams.
Broadley has many years of professional experience, heading up the Crystal Palace Youth Academy (Premier League) and the Football Association of Bermuda where he was the Technical Director. “With our collective years of experience in youth academy soccer, we hope to offer the players in South Carolina a unique opportunity to be on a pathway to the professional team here in Charleston,” said Broadley at the end of the presentation.
To learn more about the Charleston Battery Soccer club please visit www.chsbatterysc.com.
