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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.

The WNY Flash Soccer Academy Announces Flash Syracuse

July 22, 2025 – The Western New York Flash Academy is thrilled to announce Flash Syracuse is joining the WNY Flash’s growing portfolio of teams, players, coaches, and staff.

Flash Syracuse will provide player opportunities in the Syracuse market for the upcoming 25/26 club season.

WNY Flash Executive Director of Coaching Eric Dade welcomes the addition of players and their families in the Syracuse 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,” says Dade.

“Bringing in Syracuse adds the possibility of many talented, hard-working players to the Flash Family. We really admire the Syracuse player base, and we embrace the challenge to continue to make those players better every single day with the opportunities we believe Flash Syracuse will provide.”

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 Binghamton. 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, DPL, Elite Academy, USYS State Cup, local premier teams, and house leagues. Welcoming in the Syracuse region players will see the WNY Flash Academy’s player base grow to an excess of 2,000 across all regions.

“We want to provide the same opportunities for Syracuse players as we have done in Buffalo, Rochester, and Binghamton over the years,” adds Flash VP Aaran Lines.

“The Syracuse community has established an incredible foundation for players, and we aim to continue that hard work and dedication to cultivating those players as athletes and as individuals to their highest potential. 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.”

Flash Syracuse will be providing opportunities for Onondaga County players, as well as all surrounding counties in New York, as well as Pennsylvania. Training sessions are held at local indoor sports facilities in the Winter months as well as local outdoor fields during the Fall and Spring in addition to competition and tournament play. 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 Syracuse ID sessions will be held July 28th and 30th, with additional dates and times to be announced soon.

Additional questions about Flash Syracuse can be directed to Jen Blackman (JBlackman@WNYFlashSoccer.com), Flash Binghamton Operations Manager.

Flash Flag Football Expanding to Rochester

Rob Currin Announced as Rochester Flag Director

April 9, 2026 – Flash Flag Football is proud to announce its expansion into Rochester, New York.

The new addition will make the Flash the home of premier flag football for athletes in both Buffalo and Rochester. That includes forming new teams and offering top-tier programming like camps and clinics for boys and girls in an additional market.

“The expansion of Western New York Flash Flag Football into Rochester is a great step in our efforts to spread opportunities for boys and girls of all ages to play the game of flag football,” says WNY Flash Flag Director Keith Wing.

The Rochester program will be run by new Rochester Flag Director Rob Currin, who comes with an impressive background in the sport.

That includes currently serving as the head coach of SUNY Geneseo Women’s Flag Football, and previous jobs as the head flag football coach at Le Roy Junior and Senior High School, the head coach for Buffalo Bills sponsored boys teams, and working with U.S. National Teams as a Talent ID Field Core Coach. He also recently founded the Flag Football Coaches Association.

“I’m honored to step into this role at a time when flag football is experiencing such explosive growth,” says Currin.

“The sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics shows just how far it’s come and where it’s headed. Our focus is building something special in Rochester that connects our local athletes to that national and global movement.”

Flash Flag Director Keith Wing says it was a no-brainer to bring Currin into the Flash Family.

“We are very excited to have Rob Currin at the helm. Rob has tremendous experience through his work as a college flag football coach, as well as his years of working for USA Football.”

WNY Flash Flag Football’s inaugural year brought in more than 130 rostered players for the 2025-2026 season. Tryout dates in both Buffalo and Rochester this Summer will be announced in the coming weeks.

For those interested in learning more about Flash Flag Football and those who would like to register for tryouts once they’re posted, check out our website at wnyflash.com/flagfootball.