You’d be hard pressed to find a club as much on a roll as NoVa FC currently. Earlier this year, we highlighted a particularly stellar run by the club, in which it won 3 trophies in 8 days. That sort of excellence is built on the backs (and legs) of an incredibly talented roster. At that time, when we spoke to coach Kareem Sheta, he highlighted their approach to roster building in waves, always looking to the next group. “Expectations are to win for any club and any coach. I think for us this year things are going well and our ‘older’ guys are paving paths for the next upcoming crop of talent for NVFC.”

Next month, NoVa will be partnering with Elite USA Academy in hopes of adding to that next crop of talent. December 11th, Elite will be holding player trials in London on behalf of NVFC. It’s a big move from an amateur side in USL2, but given the impressive success the club has already achieved, it will almost certainly pay dividends in the near future. Coach Sheta described the decision to look beyond the border as a natural extension of what the club already did. “We've always had foreign players in and out of the program and we always keep the door open for future projects with former players. Tyrone and Ethan both played for us previously and that's how the idea came about.”

NoVa FC has been doing a lot of this lately.

The players Sheta mentioned, Tyrone Madhani and Ethan Emmons, played for the program before moving into player scouting and development. Tyrone spoke with us about how that connection to their former club has expanded over the years. “Since graduating we have gone on to begin the Elite US Academy in the UK with the aim of providing pathways to US Soccer for British players, both through College and the Semi-pro game, which naturally led us to collaborate with Nova FC in their recruitment. Now with our formal partnership we are operating as their UK scouts and handling their recruitment here in the UK.” The work that Elite does with its players sets them up for success, particularly for players traveling to a country full of unknowns, according to Sheta. “With my personal experience, I think playing is the easiest part out of all the variables when playing abroad. The language, food, weather, no family along with other factors is where this type of program will help excel players to have a higher success rate when jumping across the pond.” A support system allows players to focus on what the do best, limiting potential stress from traveling abroad.

While Coach Sheta was quick to say that the club is not looking for a specific number of players to add to the roster, but Tyrone has high hopes that the trial will be a successful venture. “We understand the expectations and requirements of a Nova player through our first hand experience, as well as knowing how much unsigned talent there is in the UK, so we're hoping to connect the dots and hopefully give some quality aspiring Footballers the opportunity to perform at the highest Semi-Professional level in the US and grow under the careful tutelage of Nova FC's experienced Coaching staff.”

NoVa’s track record of talent development is stellar.

This is the first official outreach of its type overseas for NoVa FC and it brought attention on social media from soccer types, including journalist Charles Boehem who noted that “this is the first US club I've seen holding one in this manner.” Coach Sheta sees this as just the first step in establishing his club on the world stage. “Our next project will most likely be based in Asia with another former player that has a similar project. The hope is to have multiple countries to expand into and help create bridges that younger players can cross with people we trust. “

For Tyrone Madhani and his partner, this trial is a great chance to showcase what their company specializes in, connecting players with soccer programs in the United States. “Our Academy service is player oriented and focuses on completely preparing future College Athletes for their entire US experience, not just for Soccer. Through the assistance of former and current College coaches, players and recruitment staff we have devised an Academy style program that not only completely prepares players for the transition to College Soccer and its demands, but also readys them to adapt to the US culture at University both on and off the field in order to thrive and make the most of their time stateside.”

Certainly this December trial could be the first of many opportunities for foreign players to connect with the top tiers of the amateur game in the United States, which would benefit everyone involved.

- Dan Vaughn