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Western New York Flash Academy Rochester Merger Announcement

Rochester Lancers to join the WNY Flash Rochester

May 19, 2023 – The Western New York Flash Academy and the Rochester Lancers are excited to announce a merger between the 2 clubs, with all teams set to play under the WNY Flash for the 2023/2024 season and moving forward.

The agreement involves all Rochester Lancers teams joining the WNY Flash, as well as all teams training out of the Glacier Ridge Sports Park.

“We are incredibly excited to take this next step in the Rochester market. The community has welcomed the club, our brand and staff with open arms. We have huge respect for what Doug has accomplished over the years in the Rochester market and are looking forward to taking the teams and club to a different level and providing an incredible platform for Rochester community players,” Flash VP Aaran Lines says.

The WNY Flash has been in existence since 2012 in the Buffalo area. The club has exploded in the past 3 years, expanding to over 65 teams in the Buffalo area and another 22 in the Rochester market for the 2022-23 season. The club has roots in the Rochester market, with the WNY Flash pro team playing in downtown Rochester from 2011-2016 seasons, winning 4 professional league titles before relocating to North Carolina. The WNY Flash Academy has programming for boys and girls ages 5-18, offering an array of platforms including the ECNL (Elite clubs National league), ECNL RL, Elite 64, and local premier teams.

“Our goal is to provide the same opportunities for Rochester players as we have for Buffalo players with our different platforms. Not only do we want to help develop better soccer players in the WNY area, but also develop young men and women who are ready to make a difference in our society after leaving our Flash Family,” Lines adds.

Glacier Ridge Sports Park, located in Spencerport,  was built in 1996, reconstructed in 2019 to become one of WNY best indoor facilities.  The 72,000 square foot indoor facility also boasts outdoor fields, offices, and a fitness center.

Doug Miller Soccer started in 2005 and rebranded as the Rochester Lancers in 2017.  Over that time, the club has grown in the Rochester soccer community by teaching life lessons through the game of soccer.

“There comes a time when you need to pass the torch on to another organization that shares the same values, but has more broadband, infrastructure and platforms to grow soccer even more.  That time is now, and I believe that the WNY Flash will take the Rochester soccer community to another level,” says Doug Miller.

“Not only are we excited to merge with Lancers soccer, but we are happy to have a home for our players in Rochester. There’s nothing better than that “club” feeling when you walk into the doors of a facility and see all of your teams training together,” says WNY Flash Academy Executive Director of Coaching Eric Dade. “Our goal has always been to bring like minded people together to create greater opportunity for all players in the Western NY market.  This is a big step in that direction,” Dade adds.

For players interested in trying out for the WNY Flash Academy Rochester, please visit our website www.wnyflashsoccer.com. For specific questions, please email Nino Pilato npilato@wnyflashsoccer.com or Marc Dall mdall@wnyflashsoccer.com

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