SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that they have partnered with San Francisco Elite Academy to run a regional development school with them in the San Francisco Area.

"I am most excited about this partnership because of the quality of people the San Francisco Elite Academy have within their club,” said San Jose Earthquakes technical director Chris Leitch. “From their directors to the coaches and the young men and women who compete on the field, the San Francisco Elite Academy is composed of quality people that work extremely well together toward the common goal of developing elite young men and women both on and off the field.”

The regional development school is designed to teach players the Earthquakes training methodology, while providing a pathway to a professional development system.

"The San Francisco Elite Academy is very excited about partnering with the San Jose Earthquakes to provide additional opportunities to the youth of San Francisco,” said Eddie Soto, Director of Coaching for the San Francisco Elite Academy. “Our partnership with the San Jose Earthquakes will give our players the exposure to professional trainings without having to drive to San Jose or beyond.”

SF Elite Academy is also looking to add a girl’s regional academy program in the near future and its efforts have generated a great deal of support with the Earthquakes’ other regional development partners.

"To be aligned with our local MLS team is very exciting," said San Francisco Elite Academy Director Joe Dugan. "We have long standing relationships with John Doyle (Quakes General Manager), Dominic Kinnear (Quakes Head coach), and Marquis White (Quakes Academy coach). To formalize this relationship now will open more doors to youth in the region."

About San Francisco Elite Academy

The San Francisco Elite Academy offers the highest level playing opportunities in San Francisco. Our affiliation with the University of San Francisco (six-time Division I NCAA Champions) and the San Jose Earthquakes (two-time MLS Champions) affords our players a direct pathway to college and the pros. The SFEA is an alliance among San Francisco soccer clubs, who have a shared vision to put youth soccer teams and players from the city on the national map. The founding clubs are San Francisco Junior Glens Soccer Association, San Francisco Vikings Soccer Club, and Evolution Football Club. Their unified initiative allows elite youth players from the city to train locally even as they play statewide, regionally and nation wide.