Ohio Valley Premier League to join Great Lakes Alliance in 2022
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Nov. 10, 2021) – US Club Soccer is thrilled to announce that the Ohio Valley Premier league (OVPL) will be joining the Great Lakes Alliance (GLA) ahead of the 2022 season. One of the OVPL pillars is to "grow the game" of soccer for communities. This merger will open the player pathway for GLA membership to include a U-23 competition for its members.
The GLA_OVPL U-23 adult amateur division is an affordable, minimal journey, and club-driven opportunity for the region. The GLA_OVPL is open to men's and women's teams across the region. Any team that wants to play competitive soccer at the U23 level is encouraged to apply. Applications are due by January 31st, 2022. The cost of the league is $1200 and is sanctioned by U.S. Club Soccer. The 10-match schedule provides a gateway for teams to enter the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Founded in 2019, The Ohio Valley Premier League operates the largest U-23 adult amateur soccer competition in the Ohio Valley (Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia) region. Player development is a central focus of the league, as the league strives to develop the region at a national level. The OVPL seeks to grow the game in the region by providing a highly competitive and affordable soccer league for men and women ages 17 and older. The OVPL is a member of the American Premier Alliance (APA), which developed the OVPL and other U-23 leagues in the country's upper Midwest, South Central, and Northeastern regions.
"The Ohio Valley Premier League is excited about this progression into the Great Lakes Alliance,” said Jason Brown, OVPL Co Founder. “This move will allow for greater access to U23 competition for our members. It is great to be able to extend a player's career with their club and college-aged players."
Collaboration and cooperation among soccer clubs are an absolute necessity in today's world of premier-level soccer. The OVPL executive directors have joined together to build a better environment for clubs, their players, and their communities for U-23 adult amateur soccer.
The Great Lakes Alliance (GLA) was formed in 2017 and currently has over 550 teams participating in its US Club sanctioned league. GLA has member clubs coming out of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia with approximately 8500 players. GLA is a member of the U.S. Club Soccer National Premier League (NPL) platform and the U.S. Soccer Federation.
To learn more about the Ohio Valley Premier League, contact info@ovplsoccer.com or visit ovplsoccer.com for more information. For additional information on the Great Lakes Alliance, contact Ed Bernstein at bern@glasoccer.com.
ABOUT US CLUB SOCCER:
A National Association member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, US Club Soccer fosters the growth and development of soccer clubs in order to create the best possible development environment for players of all ages.
Anchored by Players First and its five pillars of Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Parent Engagement & Education and Player Health & Safety, US Club Soccer offers registration, league- and cup-based competition platforms, player identification and a variety of other programming, resources and services.
US Club Soccer is sponsored by Nike and supported by LaLiga through a technical partnership.