PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers, Portland Thorns FC and Oregon Youth Soccer Association (OYSA) have entered into an historic, 10-year partnership with a focus on galvanizing youth soccer development and fostering the continued growth of the sport in the state of Oregon and Southwest Washington, it was announced today.
“The mission of the Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns FC is to lead the growth and development of soccer in our region,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager of the Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns FC. “By establishing this long-term partnership with OYSA, we can combine our resources to enhance development at all levels of the youth game.”
Included in the partnership, the Timbers and Thorns FC will continue to use their own staffing and financial resources, as well as the club’s Stand Together community and field grants programs, to help move the game forward at all levels while reinvesting resources into the development of youth soccer. The working partnership between OYSA, the Timbers and Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League is a joint venture in which all OYSA programming will be co-branded with the Timbers and Thorns while providing OYSA technical staff with classroom space and field time at Providence Park and educational programming opportunities at the adidas Timbers Training Center.
As part of the agreement, the Timbers and Thorns have been granted the exclusive rights to run statewide qualifying leagues for competitive youth, the Oregon State Cup and Oregon Presidents Cup as well as handling the administration of the OYSA Olympic Development Program.
“The Oregon Youth Soccer Association is excited to be a part of such a unique partnership. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment that fosters the growth of youth soccer in Oregon and Southwest Washington,” said John Madding, CEO and Technical Director of OYSA. “Being able to work hand in hand with the Timbers and Thorns allows us to provide development opportunities to players, coaches, parents, administrators and referees. We look forward to what the future brings.”
