Author: becky

BUSA Leaves Mark on Community with Annual Serves Day

Posted on August 12, 2019

BUSA exercised teamwork off the field.

Players from over 80 of BUSA’s Academy, Competitive and ECNL teams partnered with organizations across Birmingham to lend helping hands and feet, during the annual BUSA Serves Day project.

“The theme for our club this year is ‘Leave YOUR Mark,’” shared Andrew Brower, Executive Director of Birmingham United Soccer Association. “Our annual BUSA Serves Day was a great opportunity for staff, coaches, players and parents to do just that. It was wonderful to see so many unique projects and outreach opportunities that were passionate to our membership.”

From yard work and river cleaning, to back-to-school preparations of classrooms, food boxes and school supplies, a variety of organizations across Birmingham benefitted from the players’ hard efforts. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society, Ronald McDonald House, King’s Home, Grace Klein Foundation, Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Cahaba Riverkeeper, NorthStar Soccer Ministries and Restoration Academy all hosted projects with significant meaning to BUSA participants.

“We wanted our teams to take ownership of their projects with something that was important to them. We feel this year our membership did a wonderful job serving and impacting areas of great need within our communities.”

As BUSA moves into their fall season, their work this summer has considerably strengthened the foundation of the club.

“BUSA Serves Day is a great reminder that one of the main goals of BUSA is to impact those around us so that we can leave our mark into making our community a better place.”

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Birmingham United Soccer Association Launches New South-Central Shelby County Branch

Posted on January 24, 2019

 

Birmingham United Soccer Association is pleased to announce the launch of the south-central Shelby County Branch in Alabaster, AL.  BUSA Alabaster will have boys and girls teams from U-9 to U-12, along with tryouts to form older teams. Thompson High School’s Larry Simmons Stadium will be the primary field of this new location.

Rusty Cowley and Dan Demasters, both Thompson High School soccer coaches, will serve as the Academy Directors of BUSA Alabaster.

“BUSA is thrilled to be launching a new branch in Alabaster for the 2019-2020 season,” stated Andrew Brower, Executive Director of Birmingham United Soccer Association. “We have developed a world-class staff to grow and develop soccer in south-central Shelby County and look forward to what the future has to hold.”

Rusty Cowley is a graduate of Thompson High School and played four seasons of collegiate soccer at Huntingdon College.  Cowley is entering his sixth season as head varsity coach at Thompson High School.

Dan Demasters spent five years as head coach at Oak Mountain High School and has a background in collegiate coaching. He played for the Birmingham Hammers in 2017 and Villanova University from 2004-2008.

“We have compiled a great staff to work with the players of BUSA Alabaster,” stated Jay Hammond, Director of BUSA Alabaster. “The experience and knowledge that these coaches bring to the table will undoubtedly guide BUSA Alabaster to unprecedented success.”

The BUSA Alabaster coaching staff consists of a former US Youth Soccer coach and national collegiate champion, three former college soccer players and two Alabama High School Coach of the Year recipient winners.

For additional information on BUSA Alabaster visit www.birminghamunited.com/Busa-Alabaster or call the BUSA Soccer Office at 205-977-9038.

Mezrano Law Firm Named Alabama FC WPSL Title Sponsor

Posted on January 16, 2019

Mezrano Law Firm P.C. has been named title sponsor of the Alabama FC WPSL Franchise for the 2019 summer season.  Mezrano Law Firm logo and imagery will be front and center on all jerseys, training tops and all other Alabama FC WPSL gear and clothing for the 2019 summer season.

Executive Director Andrew Brower was quoted,” We are thrilled to be working with the Mezrano Law Firm in a partnership with our Alabama FC WPSL team.  We are thankful for their investment in supporting high-level soccer and more importantly helping young women to pursue their dreams at the college and professional levels of soccer in Alabama.  We believe this partnership will be a great blessing to so many young female players in that it will provide continued soccer developmental pathways for players in our area while matching two highly successful brands in Alabama FC and the Mezrano Law Firm.”

The Women’s Premier Soccer League is an independent national league whose primary focus is on the development of highly competitive premier women’s soccer teams.  The WPSL’s focus is to promote the quality and stature of female athletes as role models to our youth.  The WPSL formed in 1998 and is governed by USSA, as an affiliate of USSF and FIFA.

The Mezrano Law Firm is Alabama’s Personal Injury Law Firm, quickly becoming one of Alabama’s best Car Accident Injury Law firms. Located across the state of Alabama they are available to assist anyone who needs legal counsel to recover from their Car Accident Injury.  In the combined 40 years, we have been practicing law, our personal injury attorneys have earned a reputation for being caring, and supportive of their clients, yet tough and aggressive when it counts.  They will go above and beyond to represent their clients.

For more information on the Alabama FC Program contact [email protected]

BUSA helps soccer’s presence grow at Restoration Academy

Posted on October 29, 2018

Look at the smiles on those faces.

If a picture’s worth a thousand words, that snapshot tells the story. Opening doors works. Taking soccer to places it might not otherwise go works. Introducing the beautiful game to students eager for the experience works – for everyone involved.

BUSA‘s Oct. 24th training session for elementary students at Restoration Academy in Fairfield, this time with the generous assistance of the UAB women’s soccer team, was just the latest example of a successful partnership.

“BUSA has loved the relationship with Restoration Academy,” said Andrew Brower, executive director of the Birmingham United Soccer Association. “They, as a school, are a beacon of light for their students and parents, and we are grateful to partner with the school as we share so many similar values.”

BUSA’s twin passions for growing the game of soccer and giving back to the community have found a perfect home in its Restoration Academy program. Now in its sixth year, the program includes 4-5 training sessions in the fall, followed by team and league play in the spring. About 60 elementary students from Restoration Academy participate each season.

Local college teams such as UAB and Birmingham-Southern often step up to assist the BUSA staff in running the training sessions, planting the seed that excellence in school and in soccer can lead to a college scholarship. BUSA also has helped launch a high school soccer program at Restoration Academy, Brower said, “and this was a great blessing for the older kids who have aged out of our younger-age programs.”

Brower said he’s thankful for sponsors such as Medical Properties Trust “who help us run and support these wonderful outreach programs and allow us to grow soccer in areas where the game does not have as much of a presence as it should.”

Soccer’s presence at Restoration Academy continues to grow – one smile at a time.

Birmingham Bash Champions

Posted on October 5, 2018

champs

Congratulations to our 2018 Medical Properties Trust Birmingham Bash Champions!

This year’s Bash included close to 4,000 players on 265 teams from eight states: Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky. The estimated economic impact on the local economy was $6.2 million, highlighting the Bash’s status as a marquee soccer event in the state of Alabama.

Thank you to all the teams that participated in this great weekend and to our generous sponsor, Medical Properties Trust.

 

BOYS’ CHAMPIONS

2010 Boys Gold
BUSA Academy 2010 Blue

2010 Boys Silver
VHSC PA Cen Steamers 10 LAFC

2009 Boys Gold
FC Montgomery U-10 Red (U-9)

2009 Boys Silver
Concorde Central U10 Red Boys

2009 Boys Bronze
USC 09 Boys Select

2008 Boys Gold
Germantown Legends 08 Black

2008 Boys Silver
Alabaster 08B Eliud

2008 Boys Bronze
Huntsville FC YA Boys 08 Arsenal

2007 Boys Gold
BUSA 07 Boys

2007 Boys Silver
BUSA 07 Premier

2007 Boys Silver II
Alabaster Warriors

2007 Boys Bronze
AFC Black 07

2006 Boys Gold
Sky Pre Academy 06

2006 Boys Silver
Bayside Dynamo 06B

2006 Boys Silver II
Concorde Central U13B Black

2006 Boys Bronze
Briarwood SC Ambassadors Gold 06

2005 Boys Gold
BSC Ambassadors 05B Gold

2005 Boys Silver
CCS05 BLUE

2005 Boys Bronze
Alabama Rush 05 Boys

2004 Boys Gold
BUSA 04 Boys

2004 Boys Silver
Hoover Phantoms 2004 Blue

2003 Boys Gold
RAD 03 Boys Gold

2003 Boys Silver
TUSC FIRE 03

2002 Boys Gold
FCD-EC 02B Select I

2002 Boys Silver
SSC02

2000 Boys Gold
00 Hernando Express-Select

2000 Boys Silver
TUSC 01B

GIRLS’ CHAMPIONS

2010 Girls Gold
BUSA 10 Academy White

2010 Girls Silver
VHSC PA Attack 10 Spirit

2009 Girls Gold
Bayside Dynamo 09G

2009 Girls Silver
Huntsville FC 09 girls

2008 Girls Gold
BUSA 08 Academy White

2008 Girls Silver
Huntsville FC Courage

2008 Girls Bronze
08 Lady Lobos Rush White

2007 Girls Gold
BUSA Girls 07

2007 Girls Silver
Attack 07 Black II

2007 Girls Bronze
Chattanooga FC 07 Elite White Girls

2006 Girls Gold
Emerald Force 06G Sevilla

2006 Girls Silver
Huntsville FC Girls 06 Blue II

2005 Girls Gold
BUSA 05 Girls

2005 Girls Silver
BUSA 05 Premier Girls

2004 Girls Gold
BUSA 04 Girls

Get To Know BUSA

Posted on September 30, 2018

Name: Sam Bauder
Team: 02 Boys ECNL
Position; RW, 7
Coach: Matt Bellamy
Years playing with BUSA: 4

Q: Why do you like playing for BUSA?
A: There is so much talent at BUSA, and it forces me to compete and become the best player I can be. The coaching is also incredible, and I am always proud to wear my BUSA gear because of the reputation of our team and our club.

Q: What‘s your favorite BUSA memory?
A: After qualifying for the top RPL bracket, our first game was against South Carolina, which had just finished runner-up in the National Finals. Nobody gave us a chance, including SC, but we played our hearts out and found a way to earn a 2-1 victory in the final moments. When the final whistle sounded, the 01 boys who were watching stormed the field to help us celebrate. It was an awesome experience I will never forget.

Q: What’s your ultimate soccer goal?
A: To earn a college scholarship, play in the NCAA playoffs and hopefully get noticed by our national scouts — and have an opportunity to wear the red, white and blue and earn a cap on behalf of our country.   

Name: Bailee Washington
Team: 03 Girls SCCL
Position: Striker
Coach: Jeremy Hampton
Years playing with BUSA: 4

Q: Why do you like playing for BUSA?
A: What I like about BUSA is the competitiveness and the environment.

Q: What‘s your favorite BUSA memory?
A: My favorite BUSA memory is a Memphis tournament where my team got to hang out at Beale Street for the day.

Q: What’s your ultimate soccer goal?
A: My ultimate goal in soccer is to continue developing my skills so I can play professional soccer one day.

Annual General Meeting

Posted on August 22, 2018

Annual General Meeting, which will be held on September 9th at 4:00 PM CST in the Rathmell Soccer Office

BUSA Serves Day

Posted on August 9, 2018

Birmingham United Soccer Association is one of the largest soccer clubs in the Southeast, but BUSA cares about more than soccer. That’s evident when the players and coaches team up to make a positive impact in the community off the field.

The latest example: BUSA Serves Day, an annual project that touches the lives of the patients at Children’s of Alabama and their families.

Taking a timeout from practicing, playing and enjoying the summer, BUSA’s Academy, Competitive and ECNL teams went to work at the end of July for a great cause. They collected games, sketch pads, books, colored pencils, toys and gift cards. They created 272 special goodwill packages, one for each of the 239 patients at Children’s of Alabama at the time and then some.

The games, sketch pads, books, colored pencils and toys were designed to bring some joy to the children. The handful of gift cards in each package were meant to assist their families during a challenging time.

The BUSA Serves Day project was organized by members of the club’s Senior 00/01 age-group teams. They gathered on Sunday July 29th at Hyatt Place and spent hours organizing the bags. The next day, they delivered the care packages to the Children’s of Alabama patients and their families.

Andrew Brower, BUSA’s executive director, thanked his club’s members and sponsor Set Logistics for their support and generosity.

“We wanted to provide a ray of sunshine and hope for those children and also provide a service to their families,” Brower said. “The goal for BUSA is to give our players a sense of service and a sense of gratitude. It’s important that we teach our kids the right perspective in terms of giving and being stewards to people who are a little less fortunate than we are.

“It fills our hearts to bring a smile to the faces of these children and their families.”

Salia Carr joins Atlanta United Academy Program

Posted on July 27, 2018

The next step in Salia Carr’s journey as a soccer player is a big one. The 16-year-old from Mobile is joining the Atlanta United Academy program, where he’ll play with the U-17 team.

For the next two years, Carr will train and compete out of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, which the academy program shares with Atlanta United’s MLS first team.

“Salia is a good, honest, hard-working defender who has some great traits that will take him far in the game,” said Tony Annan, Atlanta United Academy director. “We are very pleased to have him join Atlanta United Academy and excited to see how he progresses over the next 2 years.”

Carr, who lives in Mobile and attends McGill-Toolen High School, moved to the United States from Sierra Leone when he was 2 years old “as a refugee,” he said, “because of the war in my country.” He started playing soccer at age 8. For the last two years, he’s played with Birmingham United Soccer Association’s Alabama FC.

“Alabama FC has provided better competition than I’ve had before,” Carr said, “and it’s helped me get exposure to top coaches.”

Ben Parks, BUSA’s director of coaching, is excited about Carr’s opportunity with the Atlanta United Academy.

“Alabama FC and Birmingham United are so proud of Salia Carr,” Parks said. “Not only is Atlanta United getting a gem of a player, but they are getting a fine young man as well. Salia is the rare combination of athleticism and soccer acumen. These gifts will serve him well as he continues to develop with Atlanta United. We wish him well as he embodies what Birmingham United and Alabama FC are all about.”

Officially launched in 2016 prior to its first season in MLS, the Atlanta United Academy system provides a clear pathway for homegrown players who show the required potential, ability and desire to reach the first team. The program also assists athletes in pursuing opportunities to play soccer at top U.S. colleges. Home to comprehensive and modern coaching, sports science, athletic and medical departments, the Atlanta United Academy strives to be the premier soccer club locally, regionally and nationally.

“BUSA and Alabama FC are again proud to promote another player to the MLS Academy Programs,” said BUSA Executive Director Andrew Brower. “We believe Salia will serve Atlanta United with excellence.”