The main goal of the internship is to assist the Director of Public Relations in developing and implimenting a league wide public relations plan using a variety of sources (print, TV, Radio, internet), with a large focus on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Digg, MySpace, blogging).  Some canidates may work with a specific club to develop their public relations plan specifically and then assist that club in implementation, while others may be work with the league as a whole, assisting in efforts centrally from the league.

All internships with the National Premier Soccer League  will be 20 hours a week and are unpaid internships.  However, there are no overhead costs for the internship as you will not be required to relocate. The experience you will gain working for the NPSL will be well worth the time put in and help to move your career to the next level.  This internship is ideal for any candidate who is interested in pursuing a career in public relations, sports management, communications or in the sports industry in general.  Dates and hours can be flexible to work around school and other existing commitments.

All interns would be ‘Virtual Interns’ and would be able to work from their present location. Weekly conference calls would be held with the Director of PR, the Director of Marketing and all interns to ensure we are all on the same page, as well as daily communication via email, phone, text and other media to answer questions and assist when necessary.

Job Duties:

* Contribute to brainstorming, planning and implementation of communication and PR pieces.

* Writing press releases, website stories, and special interest pieces.

* Updating and maintaining the NPSL Facebook and MySpace pages.

*Updating and maintaining the NPSLInsider blog as well as twitter accounts.

* Helping organize press conferences and other press appearances for the league, and for individual clubs

* Developing a rapport with reporters, bloggers and media outlets to ensure positive coverage of the NPSL

* Database management and some light administrative duties to include filing, copying and assisting with mass mailings.

Skills Preferred:

*Background and experience in social media tools and how to utilize these tools to our advantage (i.e. tracking ROI on Twitter, using Digg to grow a blog presence, etc)

* Knowledge and Interest in the game of soccer or sports with a strong desire to work in a soccer environment.

*Experience blogging and understand blogging nuances (trackbacks, tagging, linking-out).

* Strong Verbal and written communication skills

* Detail oriented and enthusiastic about working within a sport-related environment

* Creative and outgoing self-starter

* Working knowledge of Excel and Microsoft office

* Background in communications, PR, writing or English is a plus.

Please contact Ryan Knapp, Director of Public Relations for more information, or to submit a resume:

Phone:1-800-504-5517 x006
Mobile: (+001) 716-998-1711
Email: rknapp@nationalpremiersoccerleague.com
MSN: Ryaninspain@hotmail.com
Twitter: @NPSLInsider or @ryanknapp

Sonoma County Sol - 2009 NPSL Champions

Fourth time is a charm as the Sonoma County Sol win the 2009 NPSL National Championship 2-1 over the Erie Admirals.

Jeremy Deighton opened the scoring on a header in the 15th for Erie Admirals, assisted by Arash Fahandezh.

Sonoma equaled the score at 1 in the dying seconds of the first half when Shawn Percell scored on a corner served up by Andrew Bailey.

The game would finish regulation tied at 1-1.

Tyler Hurst scored the game winner in the 111th minute as Tim Maycock ran onto a bal over the top and played in Hurst, who slotted home the league winning goal.

More information to come including the game recap and all of the stats.

In Match 1, Erie Admirals SC defeated Rocket City United 4-2.  While in Match 2, Sonoma County Sol defeated St. Paul Twin Stars 4-1.

There were over 400 people that tuned in to listen to both matches, a great crowd for the 2009 NPSL Final Four.

The Championship is Saturday night, as Sonoma County Sol take on Erie Admirals SC at 7pm CST (8pm EST).

1) The audio for the matches will be broadcast live on the internet via Teamline, a broadcasting service we are utilizing. To listen, click on the following link: http://www.teamline.cc/teampage?teamcode=6775.  There you click on Click here to listen. And you are all set.  This is our first time utilizing teamline, so we will attempt to make it as painless as possible.  We have unlimited streams available to listen, so encourage your fans to chime in.

Contact: Ryan Knapp
Tel: 1-800-504-5517 x 006
Mobile: (716) 998-1711
email: rknapp@nationalpremiersoccerleague.com

EXPERIENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SOCCER AT ITS FINEST

The 2009 National Premier Soccer League Final Four Championship Weekend ‘Breezes’ Into Madison, Wisconsin, Friday July 31 – Saturday August 1
BUFFALO, N.Y. (July 27) — The National Premier Soccer League  is proud to announce the four clubs who will vie for the league championship at the NPSL Final Four, Friday July 31 and Saturday August 1 in Madison, Wisconsin.

“Quite simply fans will see the four best teams that the NPSL has to offer.” said NPSL Commissioner Dan Trainor. “They will see great players, an extremely high level of play, and fans will have a chance to experience the finals in an up close and personal way.”

The Sonoma County Sol (9-0-3) represent the West Region after an impressive campaign that took them into the Second Round of the prestigious Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.  The Sol have advanced to the Final Four a total of four times (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009) and make this their third consecutive trip to the league marquee event.

Expansion club Erie Admirals SC (9-0-1) represent the Northeast Region in 2009.  Coming out of the tough Keystone Conference, the Admirals were a force to be reckoned with on the pitch.  Erie defeated a very skilled Boston Aztec side 2-0 at home to advance to the NPSL Final Four in their first year of league play.

Out of Huntsville, Alabama, Rocket City United (5-2-1) represent the Southeast Region.  RCU won 5 out of their last 7 matches to advance to Madison as the Southeast Region Regular Season Champions.  Founded in 2008, Rocket City United have a great mix of veteran and youth players and will be a difficult draw this weekend.

St. Paul Twin Stars (5-2-1) represent the Midwest Region and advance to their second consecutive NPSL Final Four.  The club qualified for the Final Four on the last weekend of the regular season.

The Final Four begins at 6:00pm, Friday July 31 when Erie Admirals SC take on Rocket City United to be followed at 8:00pm by Sonoma County Sol playing St. Paul Twin Stars.  The winners play in the 2009 NPSL Championship on Saturday August 1 at 7:00pm.  All matches are at Breese Stevens Field, located at 917 East Miffin Ave, Madison WI 53701.

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) was founded in 2003 and is the highest ranking amateur soccer league in the United States.  The goal of the NPSL is to provide it’s clubs the opportunity to showcase and assist their players to progress onto the professional level, in turn giving fans affordable, high quality entertainment throughout the United States. The NPSL is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) as an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the ruling body for soccer in the United States and FIFA, the world’s ruling body for soccer.

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For more information on the Final Four, you may visit our Social Media News Release at http://npslinsider.wordpress.com/npsl-final-four-championship-2009/.  Also, you may contact Ryan Knapp, Director of Public Relations, at rknapp@nationalpremiersoccerleague.com or 1-800-504-5517 x 006

1) The audio for the matches will be broadcast live on the internet via Teamline, a broadcasting service we are utilizing. To listen, click on the following link: http://www.teamline.cc/teampage?teamcode=6775.  There you click on Click here to listen. And you are all set.  This is our first time utilizing teamline, so we will attempt to make it as painless as possible.  We have unlimited streams available to listen, so encourage your fans to chime in.

2)  I will be providing updates on the NPSLinsider blog via my blackberry.  The website is http://npslinsider.wordpress.com.  It will be an ‘open blog’ with my commentary throughout the matches, and will be updated accordingly.  Also, there may be an open live blog on the NPSLInsider site, depending on internet signal at the stadium. I will explore this on Thursday upon my arrival and inform if there are changes.

3) I will also be providing updates via twitter, @npslinsider.  http://www.twitter.com/npslinsider.  This will be real time updates about the match for those who cannot attend or listen on the gamecast.

Any updates will be made here on the blog first.  Match reports will be posted on the official website, http://www.npsl.info and on the blog as well.

If anyone has questions during the weekend, feel free to reach me at 716-998-1711 or via email at rknapp@nationalpremiersoccerleague.com.

See everyone in Madison!!

Here is some important information for the Final Four:

1) To follow the action on Twitter, make sure to follow @NPSLInsider I will be doing the tweets on location on Madison during the matches.

2) Depending on internet availability, we may have a live blog here to follow as well. More information will be available Thursday afternoon upon my arrival into Madison.

3) Match previews for Friday night’s games will be posted on Thursday evening in preparation for the matches to come the following night. Match reports will be posted on Friday night after the conclusion of the final match and any other press related events. On Saturday morning the preview for the NPSL Final will be posted and the final recap will be available on Saturday night.

More information to follow in the coming days. Back to work!

As discovered tonight I can update from my blackberry.

Friday July 31

Match 1
6:00pm
Erie Admirals SC (H) v Rocket City United (A)

Match 2
8:00pm
Sonoma County Sol (H) v St. Paul Twin Stars (A)

Saturday August 1
Match 3
7:00pm

Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2

Stay tuned for more information, or follow @NPSLinsider to get all your updates in real time!

The Midwest Regionwill crown their Regular Season winner (and Final Four rep) the weekend of July 25-26.

And the 2009 NPSL Final Four Clubs Are… (minus the Midwest!)..drum roll please.

West Region

The West Region played out as the numbers predicted, as the Sonoma County Sol defeated NorCal LaMorinda United 2-1 at Santa Rosa High School.  The match was not an easy victory for the Sol, as they faced argubly their toughest challenge in the NPSL this season.  (Read Game Recap)

The Sonoma County Sol have advanced to the final four for the third straight year, but so far have no hardware to show from their appearances.  The Sol look to change their fortune this time around.

Southeast Region

Rocket City United left no doubts as to who should represent the Southeast Region, costing to a 3-0 victory over Saturn FC.  RCU entertained plenty during their match with a fantastic display of soccer.

Rocket City United welcomed 150 soldiers from Bravo and Charlie Companies of the 832^nd Ordinance Battalion from the United States Army with free admission and dinner on Military Night at John Hunt Park. Other luminaries in attendance included Brigadier General Genaro Dellarocca and recently-elected Alabama State Senator Paul Sandford.

This is RCU’s first Final Four appearance since the club was founded in 2008.

Northeast Region

First year Erie Admirals SC  joined Sonoma County Sol as the only undefeated teams in the Nation, capping off a dream inaugural season with a 2-0 victory against Atlantic Conference Champions Boston Aztec.  The match was scoreless until the 83rd minute when second half substitute Dan Howell beat Boston’s last defender and slotted home the game winning goal.  (Read recap here)

Gibrilla Conde looks to make a splash in Pittsburgh

19 Year old Gibrilla Conde (FC Reading Revolution) is currently on trial at USL-2 side Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Conde was set to be joined by Max Ferdinand, however an injury suffered in the last match of the season against Erie Admirals sidelined Ferdinand chance to trial in Pittsburgh alongside his teammate.

Conde played for the FC Reading Revolution in 2009, where he moved from the FC Revolution’s successful U-19 club team.  Conde played a vital role for the Revolution this season.

A main reason for the trial is the focus and dedication to the youth game that Mike Moyer and FC Reading Revolution demonstrate.  The philosophy is simple, play local young talent.

Thanks to the focus on youth in Reading, Conde was able to step up his game and earn a trial in Pittsburgh.

FC Reading Revolution head coach Mike Moyer has high hopes for Conde and Ferdinand, and knows they will make their mark in the pro game.

Stay tuned to NPSLInsider for more information on Conde’s trial with Pittsburgh.

2009 Rocket City United Squad

As luck may have it, Rocket City United have the distinction to control their destiny in 2009, and to decide whether they will move onto the 2009 NPSL Final Four Championship Weekend in Madison, Wisconsin, or hit the golf course a few weeks early.

After dotting the I’s and crossingthe T’s, the scenario is set: one match, Saturday July 18th: Rocket City United v Saturn FC 7:30pm at John Hunt Soccer Complex.

Two possibilities exist:

1) Rocket City United Win or Tie — RCU advance to Madison, WI to take part in the 2009 NPSL Final Four Championship Weekend

or

2) Rocket City United Loss– Atlanta FC move on to Madison while Rocket City United finish in second place.

Rocket City United are pushing for a big crowd this match, with 400 tickets already snatched up by the local fans, and another 600 are waiting to be purchased as we speak.

Tale of Two Teams

Rewind to Saturday, May 9th : Saturn FC are sitting top of the table in the Southeast after defeating Rocket City United 2-1, and defending Southeast Region Champions Atlanta FC 3-2. Six points out of six, and Saturn FC are out of the gate in fantastic form.

Fast forward to today, and the league table tells a different story. After the first two wins of the season, Saturn FC dropped their next five matches and now sit bottom of the table on the six points they earned during the first two weeks of the season. Three of the losses were by one goal, one loss was by two goals, and the other was a 7-3 drubbing at the hands of Pumas FC.

Rocket City United’s season paints an opposite picture, with RCU losing their first match of the season, sitting on two wins and two losses after four matches played, and screaming mediocrity. A 4-1 beating of Pumas FC on June 13th would give Rocket City United the boost they desperately needed, as they proceeded to win 3 games on the trot and position themselves on top of the table.

In their only previous meeting this season, Spencer Davidson’s free kick in the 57th minute was the difference as Saturn FC defeated RCU 2-1 at Georgia Soccer Complex.

Rocket City United have not lost at home this season (4-0-1 in all competitions) posting 12 GF and 5 GA in the five matches. Saturn FC are winless on the road in 2009 (0-3-0).

Survey Says

A Rocket City United victory could be in the cards on Saturday night, but if the previous match-up between these two clubs is any indicator, Saturn FC are plenty capable of spoiling the party in Huntsville this weekend.

Lord knows that Atlanta FC will have their fingers crossed…