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New WNY Flash Director of Administration and Operations Copy
The WNY Flash Soccer Academy Announces New Director of Administration and Operations
Pamela Whitcomb Brings Years of Soccer Operations Experience to the Flash Family
February 17, 2025 – The Western New York Flash Soccer Academy is proud to announce Pamela Whitcomb as the new Flash Director of Administration and Operations.
Pam is a familiar face in New York’s soccer community, having served as Operations Manager at New York State West Youth Soccer Association since 2020. In that role, she helped grow and support the organization’s 48,000 players, clubs, leagues, referees, coaches, and parents. She was instrumental in growing several different programs and tournaments during her time with NYSWYSA.
With the Flash, Pam will assume club administration responsibilities, and be the direct point of contact for coaches, managers, and current and prospective families. Operationally, the club sees Pamela’s position as an important new piece to bring our Buffalo, Rochester, and Binghamton regions closer together with our already excellent staff.
“We are thrilled to have Pamela as part of our Flash Family,” says Flash Vice President Aaran Lines.
“Not only does she bring extensive experience in the youth soccer world working for New York State West, but she is incredibly hard working. We could see immediately Pamela is passionate about the sport, and improving the game for the next generation,” added Lines.
Pam says it was that passion for the sport that took her from being a soccer mom, to a volunteer board member at her family’s local club, before eventually turning the game into her career.
“I am very excited to join the WNY Flash Academy,” says Whitcomb.
“As the premier soccer organization within Western New York, this is an incredible opportunity to bring my management background to the next level. I look forward to collaborating with the organization and working to contribute to their continued success.”
Pam will start in her new position with the Flash in early March. Please join us in welcoming her to the Flash Family, and be sure to say hello when you see her around!
For those interested in learning more about the WNY Flash Academy and all it has to offer, check out our website at wnyflash.com.
Introducing: Flash Flag Football
Sahlen’s Sports Park is Proud to Announce the Launch of WNY Flash Flag Football
The Program Brings a 2nd Sport Under the Flash Umbrella, Bringing on Keith Wing as Flag Football Director to Lead the Program
June 23, 2025 – Sahlen’s Sports Park is proud to announce the launch of WNY Flash Flag Football in Buffalo.
The new addition will make the Flash the home of the premier flag football program in the area, in addition to its successful soccer academy that has operations in Buffalo, Rochester, and Binghamton.
“We are extremely excited to expand our sports programming here at the Flash with flag football,” says Vice President Aaran Lines.
“Providing a home to the hundreds of male and female youth flag football players while providing quality instruction, development, and competition is the next step. It is a growing sport with huge potential, and with our highly-rated facilities and staff, we know the sky is the limit for this program.”
The launch of Flash Flag was made possible thanks in part to the acquisition of the Buffalo Narwhals Flag Football Club. Narwhals owner and head coach Keith Wing will now become the first Director of Flash Flag Football.
“Flash Flag Football is an incredible opportunity for the athletes in our area,” says Director Keith Wing.
“We now have one of the most prestigious athletic clubs in our area being paired with one of the world’s fastest growing sports!“
Sahlen’s Sports Park General Manager Chuck Lawless echoed the excitement from new football director Wing.
“With the years of success that the WNY Flash Soccer Academy has had in terms of leadership, player development, and playing at the best indoor facility at Sahlen’s Sports Park and the best outdoor facility at Flash Fields, Flash Flag Football has the structure to be successful out of the gate,” added Lawless.
“We believe that our structure provides that extra something that no other club can compete with.”
Flash Flag is opening tryouts for next season effective today, with teams being formed for boys and girls born between 2008 and 2018. A typical season will run from January through July, with training sessions once per week and several tournaments throughout the season. Tryouts will begin in late July at Flash Fields in Elma, NY.
The lighter practice schedule will even allow for current Flash soccer players to take part in the flag football program.
For those interested in learning more about Flash Flag Football and those who would like to register for tryouts, check out our website at wnyflash.com/flagfootball.
New Girls Director of Coaching in Binghamton Copy
FLASH BINGHAMTON ANNOUNCES NEW GIRLS DIRECTOR OF COACHING
KELSEY FERGUSON WILL JOIN THE CLUB AHEAD OF FLASH BINGHAMTON’S 2024-2025 SEASON
April 8, 2024 – The Western New York Flash Academy is proud to announce Kelsey Ferguson as the new Girls Director of Coaching for Flash Binghamton.
Binghamton is the newest region for the Flash, after a merger was announced with BC United in March that will go into effect this Summer.
Ferguson is a familiar face around the club, having coached WNY Flash ECNL teams from 2016-2019. She has also coached for Cornell Women’s Soccer, the SDA Girl’s Academy, Buffalo State, and Lonestar Soccer Club.
Her coaching experience follows a great playing career that included captaining the University of Richmond, and playing for WPSL’s SoccerPlus Connecticut Reds and the W-League’s Vermont Voltage.
“I’m excited to join Paul, Jen and the rest of the staff to build on the great work they’ve done establishing this club in the Central New York area,” says Ferguson.
“I’m thankful to Eric Dade and Aaran Lines for giving me this opportunity, and look forward to bringing the culture, standards and expectations of the WNY Flash Academy to this area to give players and families more opportunities for growth, development and success.”
Ferguson has her USSF National Youth License, and is currently finishing up her USSF A License. She also holds a Level 3 qualification in La Liga Formation Methodology.
“Bringing back Kelsey to the Flash organization in this new exciting role was a no-brainer for us,” says Eric Dade, the Executive Director of Coaching for the Flash Academy.
“We know that her experience and her love for the game will be passed down to all of the players she works with in Central New York. This is a big step in the Binghamton market and we are super excited to have her on board.”
BC United is currently finishing out its 2023-2024 season before becoming a part of the Flash. More than 400 players between the ages of 6 and 18 are a part of the current BC United season.
For those interested in learning more about the WNY Flash Academy and all it has to offer, check out our website at wnyflash.com.
Flash Rochester Announces New College Placement Coordinator
FLASH ROCHESTER ANNOUNCE NEW COLLEGE PLACEMENT COORDINATOR
MARK HOWLETT WILL TAKE ON THE ROLE IN ADDITION TO COACHING IN THE 2024-2025 SEASON
May 22, 2024 – Flash Rochester is excited to announce the hiring of Mark Howlett as the region’s College Placement Coordinator.
Mark brings an extensive background in collegiate coaching at multiple levels and has had success at every stop. In addition to his college duties, Mark has been actively coaching club soccer for more than a dozen years.
“Mark’s background makes him a perfect fit for the coordinator position at Flash Rochester,” says Nino Pilato, the Regional Director of Flash Rochester.
“He will help guide our players through their recruiting process and make sure the club is pointed in a positive direction with player placement. Adding someone with Coach Howlett’s expertise and knowledge will immediately impact the development and opportunity of placement for all our players. We are excited to have such a talented coach in our club who will help us continue to improve and grow.”
Mark is transitioning into his new role which becomes effective this summer. Please join us in welcoming and congratulating Mark!
To take a look through where some of the WNY Flash Academy’s current players and alumni are playing college soccer, click here.
For those interested in learning more about the WNY Flash Academy and all it has to offer, check out our website at wnyflash.com.
Coming This Summer: Flash Binghamton
Western New York Flash Academy Announces Merger With BC United Premier
Club to Operate as Flash Binghamton Starting in 2024-2025 Season
March 15, 2024 – The Western New York Flash Academy and BC United Premier are thrilled to announce a merger between the two clubs that will bring the Binghamton area club into the WNY Flash’s growing portfolio of teams, players, coaches, and staff.
All current BC United Premier teams will begin playing as Flash Binghamton this summer, after finishing out their current seasons as BC United.
“The goal of BC United Premier is simply to bring the area’s best players together, provide excellent coaching, first-class facilities, and seek the best appropriate competition to compete and showcase our talents,” says Paul Marco, BC United’s Director of Coaching.
“As we have always done, we are driven by creating the best environment and pathway for our players. This is simply the next step in that mission. BC United Premier’s 2024-2025 seasonal transition into Flash Binghamton will give us everything we currently have and more.”
WNY Flash Executive Director of Coaching Eric Dade welcomes the addition of players and their families in the Binghamton area with open arms.
“As the WNY Flash Academy has continued to find success for our players on and off the field, it makes sense to expand into new areas and find the top players to join us. Bringing in Binghamton adds hundreds of talented, hard-working players to the Flash Family. We really admire what Paul and his coaches have built over the years in Binghamton, and we embrace the challenge to continue to make those players better every single day.”
The WNY Flash Academy has been in existence in the Buffalo area since 2012. In addition to the main operation in Elma, NY, the club also operates teams in Buffalo’s northtowns, Rochester, and Erie, PA. The academy has programming for boys and girls ages 4-18, offering an array of platforms including the ECNL (Elite Clubs National league), ECNL-RL, Elite 64, USYS State Cup, local premier teams, and all levels of youth soccer programming.
“We want to provide the same opportunities for Binghamton players as we have done in Buffalo and Rochester over the years,” adds Flash VP Aaran Lines.
“BC United has established an incredible framework for its players, and we aim to continue that hard work and dedication to growing those players as athletes and as individuals. In addition to developing great soccer players and providing opportunities for college placement, we really want to help develop young men and women into leaders who can make a difference in the world after leaving our Flash Family.”
BC United Premier was established in 2017 by Paul Marco and other coaches aiming to create a dynamic program that brings together the area’s best players, and provides them with excellent coaching and first-class facilities.
Based in Endicott, BC United features players from 14 counties in New York and Pennsylvania. In addition to Binghamton, players also come from areas like Oneonta, Ithaca, Elmira, and Scranton, PA. Training sessions are held at Binghamton University Bearcats Stadium and practice turf, as well as the BC United Soccer Complex and 434 Sportsplex.
More than 400 players between the ages of 6 and 18 were part of BC United’s 25 teams in the 2023-2024 season. Welcoming in those players will see the WNY Flash Academy’s player base grow to nearly 2,000 across all regions.
For those interested in learning more about the WNY Flash Academy and all it has to offer, check out our website at wnyflash.com. Flash Binghamton tryouts will be held in May and June, with dates and times to be announced soon.
Learn more about Flash Binghamton and watch the announcement video here.
2025 Flash Summer Camps & Training Programs
2025 Flash North House Leagues
Registration for 2024-2025 Tryouts Now Open
Press Release: WNY Flash & Rochester Lancers Merge
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