Columbia United FC has pledged to contribute $13,800 during the Spring 2007 season to 26 area high school boys’ and girls’ soccer programs...

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE:

--Columbia United FC, the state’s second largest youth soccer club serving over 2,600 South Carolina soccer players ages 3 – 19 announced today it has pledged to contribute $13,800 during the Spring 2007 season in the form of Corporate Sponsorship donations to 26 area high school boys’ and girls’ soccer programs located throughout Kershaw, Richland and Lexington Counties, the primary region it serves.  In addition, as further evidence of Columbia United’s commitment to give back to the soccer communities it serves, the club announced it has also pledged to each of the 26 schools’ Varsity boys’ and Varsity girls’ teams a 90 minute complimentary training session on a topic of the coaches’ choice conducted by one of Columbia United’s best youth soccer trainers, USSF “A” licensed coach, Greg Vallee, who regularly conducts soccer coaching licensure courses for the South Carolina Youth Soccer Association in addition to being Columbia United’s full-time Academy Director.

“First and foremost, Columbia United was formed to serve the soccer needs of all youth at all levels throughout our community here in the Midlands .  As a charitable, non-profit organization, we exist to promote the betterment of youth soccer regardless of race, religion, gender or socio-economic status.  Our Board of Directors is proud of the fact we managed our club in a fiscally conservative manner to such an extent that we are able to pass the gracious sponsorship monies we have received from our own wonderful Corporate Sponsors like BB&T, Midlands Orthopaedics, Classic Cookie Company, Pepsi, Southern Sports Photography, Danno Graphics, the Moore Orthopaedic Clinic and others right on through to the area’s numerous high school soccer programs, both large and small, whether their location be inner city, in the suburbs or in rural areas.  Without financial support from our own Corporate Sponsors, such a far-reaching and meaningful commitment by us to our area high school soccer programs would not be possible.  We all should be grateful to them.” said Columbia United President Ron Tryon.  In connection with each Corporate Sponsorship, Columbia United will also give each school a 4’ x 8’ color stadium banner wishing all high school players from across the state “all the best” in high school soccer to hang in their stadiums if they desire.

The 26 area schools to which Columbia United has committed Corporate Sponsorship in the amount of $300 for their respective girls’ program and $300 for their respective boys’ program are, in alphabetical order:  A.C. Flora, Airport, Batesburg-Leesville, Brookland-Cayce, Blythewood, Ben Lippen, Camden, Cardinal Newman, Chapin, Columbia, Covenant Christian, Dreher, Dutch Fork, Eau Claire, Gilbert, Hammond, Heathwood Hall, Irmo, Lexington, Lugoff-Elgin, Pelion, Richland NE, Ridge View, Spring Valley, Swansea and White Knoll.

Information about Columbia United FC may be found at www.columbiaunitedfc.com  ALL YOUTH – ALL SOCCER – ALL LEVELS . . . Columbia United FC.