Villarreal Nebraska Academy and FC Lincoln Bring the Best Together for Lincoln’s Female Athletes 

"This is so exciting; we are focused on building community. This is a great example that we’re working on for our kids and their betterment, providing pathways and opportunities for their future." 

- Jorge Sambataro, VNA

Villareal Nebraska Academy (VNA) and FC Lincoln (FCL) soccer organizations - as the two longest-running youth soccer organizations serving Lincoln area female athletes - are proud to announce an unprecedented true partnership to enhance soccer opportunities for young women in the Lincoln area. FC Lincoln DOC Jim Bovaird and Villareal Nebraska Academy DOC Jorge Sambataro are thrilled to collaborate in bringing together the best female athletes and providing them with opportunities that are unparalleled in the area.   Athletes at the U13 (2010) through U19 (2004) levels from both organizations will have the opportunity to compete at the highest levels through US Club Soccer’s National Premier League (NPL) and US Youth Soccer’s National Championship Series (NCS). Both organizations will continue to form their own teams and provide their own curricula and programming to their athletes but will come together to form competitive teams to compete in the NPL and NCS (including Nebraska State Cup). For more information on program-specific opportunities, visit their respective websites or contact the DOCs.

“We all know the old saying ‘It takes a village…’ It’s exciting to see two local groups willing to come together, putting agendas aside to grow our female athletes instead of just trying to grow our respective clubs. Both organizations have so many strengths, and by taking advantage of our collective strengths, we will make the Lincoln area soccer community stronger as a result.”

- Jim Bovaird, FC Lincoln

In addition to enhanced team-competition, both organizations will come together to share resources to benefit all of our athletes from the academy through select levels. In additional to instruction from the excellent team coaches and winning programming from both organizations, all athletes in both organizations will benefit from additional opportunities created by the collaboration, including opportunities for player coaching consulting from Villarreal CF coaches; expanded training locations; training and mentorship from professional player, former Husker athletes, and other former Division I college players and coaches; and the opportunity to travel to Villarreal CF in Spain for the Team Playing Experience.

“In today’s world, we too often build walls instead of bridges. This partnership is a great bridge for players in our community to come together, grow, and take advantage of some fantastic development pathways! I’m really looking forward to our collaboration and what opportunities it delivers to all the female athletes in our area!”

– Jon Eilers, FC Lincoln