June 8, 2009 -- Capital Area Soccer League and TNT Dynamite Soccer Club Aree to Historic Partnership-in-Soccer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Lansing, MI – June 8, 2009 – In a historic moment for Lansing-area soccer, the Capital Area Soccer League and the TNT Dynamite Soccer Club agreed to a partnership on Sunday night, with TNT becoming the official premier program of CASL.

TNT will provide CASL with coaching education and player training opportunities, and will seat a non-voting club liaison on the CASL Board of Directors; this liaison will provide reports on the club’s progress as well as offer suggestions on growing the community-based league. 

“This is a positive step for both CASL and TNT,” said Oscar Casteneda, CASL President.  “I look forward to growing both programs in what will be a mutually beneficial relationship.”

CA United, CASL’s previous premier program, will be dissolved and its players, teams and coaches integrated into TNT, a move combining the area’s two biggest and most successful soccer clubs into a potential powerhouse in the state.  TNT recently placed its u16 boys in the State Cup finals, a match hosted in East Lansing which drew local fans in droves to support the team.  The u16 boys featured the top players in the area, boys who developed their skills in CASL, TNT and/or CA United.  Gathering the area’s top talent at younger age groups can yield future success for Lansing-area teams.

“Ten years ago when I left CA to form TNT, my vision was to provide the best soccer environment for Mid-Michigan players,” said Todd Derby, President/CEO of TNT Dynamite.  “During these years, our organizations have had their battles.  Despite this history, I’m ecstatic that we can work together to provide our children with this vision today.  Today we are truly united.”

Said Dan Jury, CA United Director of Coaching and Player Development, “This is a bittersweet moment because there are a lot of people who have poured themselves into our organization.  However, instead of looking into the past, we have to look into the future.  This organization, with our combined efforts and resources, will be something special.  I’m looking forward to joining TNT and growing the game of soccer in Lansing.”

TNT Dynamite and CA United directors and coaches will be meeting in the next 72 hours to finalize tryout details, coaching assignments and team plans.  Additional information will be emailed to TNT and CA families, and posted on their respective websites.  Tryouts are scheduled for June 15-17 at the Kenneth Hope Soccer Complex.  For information on the TNT Dynamite Soccer Club, visit www.tntsoccer.net.  For information on the Capital Area Soccer League, visit www.caslsoccer.org.

Contact:
Dan Raben
TNT Dynamite Director of Coaching and Player Development
rabendan@comcast.net
517-882-9911