OKLAHOMA PREMIER CLUBS ANNOUNCES HIGHLANDERS SC AS NEW MEMBER
HIGHLANDERSSC.COM OKPREMIERCLUBS.COM
Oklahoma Premier Clubs (OPC) has announced that the Highlanders SC has been accepted as a new member beginning in the fall of 2019. OPC will provide state, regional and national competition opportunities for its 11-U through 18/19-U boys and girls age groups.
Five of Oklahoma’s top clubs – Northeast Oklahoma FC, Oklahoma Celtic, South Lakes Cosmos, TSC Hurricane and West Side Alliance SC – founded the OPC as their primary, competitive platform. Since the launch in 2017, OPC has added three additional clubs including River Valley FC and Stillwater Apex.
“The Highlanders are very excited to join a collection of Clubs that have shared values and goals. This move helps us to ensure that we can provide a competitive environment with a diversity of teams that puts the athletes first and keeps them in love with the game. We already have a great standing relationship with many of the Clubs represented in OPC and look forward to competing with all of them each week,” says Randy Totty, Highlanders FC Executive Director
As a member of OPC, Highlanders SC will now enjoy the benefits of US Club Soccer and OPC benefits including Players First Initiatives, PDP/ID2, and participation in the annual Oklahoma Premier Clubs State Cup event that includes a direct pathway to US Club Soccer’s National Cup, a cup-based national championship series that includes Regionals and other qualifying state cups.
“It is exciting for OPC to be joined by another quality club with a rich tradition and history. NE Oklahoma’s soccer community can be dated by the inception of several club programs in the 90’s, and Charlie Mitchel’s founding of Highlanders is an example of another step that was taken for the good of our soccer community. Highlanders is a great organization and their participation in the OPC platform will only enhance the experience for all OPC members, and Highlanders leadership will help accelerate and advance ideas and directives within the OPC community of leaders. This is terrific news for OPC,” says Roger Bush, WSA Executive Director
"We are excited to welcome Highlanders SC to the OPC platform. With this addition, we move one step closer to having one of the strongest platforms in the region for league play. This also offers more diversity in our platform. Very excited to have them on board!” says Brandon Lawless, South Lakes Soccer Club Director of Coaching.
Like other US Club Soccer members, the Oklahoma Premier Clubs is granted a plethora of benefits with its US Club Soccer membership. This includes Players First, which is the primary vessel for US Club
Soccer to accomplish its mission to foster the growth and development of soccer clubs throughout the United States to create the best possible development environment for players of all ages in every club.
Players First is a branded, holistic club soccer experience for parents and players which emphasizes the development of each individual to his or her full potential, and helps parents make better choices about where their children should play. Players First is anchored by five pillars:
∞ Club Development
∞ Coaching Development
∞ Player Development
∞ Parent Engagement & Education
∞ Player Health & Safety
“The Highlanders SC is a quality club with innovative and experienced leadership. We have great respect for Charlie Mitchell who founded the club many years ago. And Randy Totty has continued his legacy for the club and has exciting plans for the future. Their joining OPC will be a great addition for our members and programs. We look forward to supporting Highlanders SC with their initiatives for the benefit of the players,” says Jim Tindell, TSC Hurricane Executive Director.
Oklahoma Premier Clubs members will also enjoy exposure to Player Development Programs (PDPs) and the id² Program. These programs help provide identification and development to the entire country, including those regions traditionally underserved by opportunities.