Uniting the Community

 

Braddock Road Youth Club (BRYC), Virginia Valor FC (Valor), Villarreal Virginia Academy (VIVA), and Vienna Youth Soccer (VYS) will unite under Fairfax Virginia Union (FVU).

 

FVU will continue to compete at the ECNL National League level, playing in the mid-Atlantic division.

 

Uniting the community only makes us stronger and allows for the focus to remain on the players and their development.

 

“Collaborating with like-minded clubs in Fairfax County, both on and off the field, will only strengthen all organizations involved over time. We look forward to this partnership and the positive impact it will have on the players and the Fairfax County soccer community.” Paul Ellis - Valor Player

 

Pathway & Geography/Training

 

BRYC, VIVA, Valor, and VYS offer a comprehensive recreational and travel programming. Each club will remain in the Virginia Premier Soccer League (VPSL) and ECNL Regional League, which will play their league games in Virginia. Each club will operate individually while collaborating to launch the Unite Program.

 

Player Pathway

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• ECNL Mid-Atlantic Division: Fairfax Virginia Union

• ECNL Regional League Virginia: BRYC, Valor, VIVA, and VYS operate individually

• National Capital Soccer League: BRYC, Valor, VIVA, and VYS operate individually

• Grassroots/Recreation: BRYC, VIVA, Valor (CYA/SYA), and VYS operate individually

 

Geography/Training

 

Training locations will be strategically chosen to minimize the time families have to spend in the car.

 

“The close proximity of partnered clubs allows for the strategic use of field space to minimize travel time for players and families.” Kevin James - VYS

 

Unite Program

 

The Unite program allows BRYC, Valor, VIVA, and VYS to collaborate further on and off the field. Unite focuses on fostering an identity in the community, volunteer opportunities, leadership initiatives, and development opportunities.

 

“The collaboration of like-minded clubs, with shared resources and ideas, can only lead to an enhanced and superior soccer experience for all players.” Carlos Aranda - VIVA

 

Short-term initiatives:

 

• Youth Union: As part of the club’s homegrown approach to development, the Youth Union is for players currently playing U12 in BRYC, Valor, VIVA, and VYS. The program introduces players to the Fairfax Virginia Union staff and training environment.

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• TOPSoccer – IT STARTS WITH US: This initiative promotes social skills, teamwork, perseverance, and confidence while connecting our staff and players to the community.

 

Long-term initiatives:

 

• Coaching Academy: Players will earn their 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11 grassroots licenses and complete 20 community coaching hours supporting BRYC, Valor, VIVA, and VYS.

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• Unite Leadership Summit: The UNITE Leadership Summit is a one-day immersive learning experience covering important topics and performance in sports. The event is exclusive to our network of staff in BRYC, Valor, VIVA, and VYS staff.

 

A Solid Foundation

 

The foundation and core of Fairfax Virginia Union is the membership. Fairfax County has more residents than Montana, Alaska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Delaware, Wyoming, and Vermont. If Fairfax County were a city, its population would rank the 10th largest city in the U.S., making it larger than Atlanta, Boston, or Charlotte. Through our Mission, Vision, and Pillars, we aim to represent Fairfax County in the highest regard both on and off the field.

 

"By uniting our clubs, we are building a solid foundation for the future that empowers players with top-tier development opportunities, strengthens community ties for families, and fosters collaborative growth for coaches- all driving us toward a brighter future for soccer in Fairfax County." Mark Dolansky - BRYC

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What This Means for Valor Players?

 

• Continued Exposure Through ECNL RL: With our current participation in the ECNL RL we are excited to continue with high level and regionalized competition, college showcase events for our high school aged teams, robust playoff and championship structure, and excellent club resources. 

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• Increased Exposure: Participation in the ECNL provides our athletes with a platform to showcase their talents to college scouts and professional recruiters, significantly increasing their chances of advancing to the next level.

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• Enhanced Training Programs: Collaborating with Fairfax Union and our partner clubs allows us to offer specialized training sessions that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each player, ensuring continuous improvement and skill mastery.

• Community and Support: Being part of the Virginia Valor FC family means joining a community that is dedicated to supporting each player's journey, celebrating successes, and providing guidance through challenges.​