With the 2022 NISA regular season set to kick off this weekend, we reached out to a 2023 expansion side, Savannah Clovers, to ask about its decision to join NISA and what the preparations for next season look like. Bryan Sykes, Co-Founder and VP of the club, spoke with us about his club.

So why the move to NISA?

We appreciate the way NISA allows its clubs to operate independently and own their assets entirely. The NISA experience, for us, has been great thus far. NISA put a lot of effort into helping to form this ownership group, and they have been instrumental in the growth of Savannah Clovers FC over the past few years. NISA deserves praise for the commitment they have made to support many amatuer clubs across the country.

Going professional is a big move, why is now the right time?

Professional soccer was always the next best move for Savannah Clovers FC, considering its five previous years as an amateur club. We are certain that Savannah will be a very special market for professional soccer and a home for the organization that we are striving to build for years to come.

Savannah played in the Independent Cup several times, did that time contribute to the decision to join the league?

The NISA Independent Cup was a major diver in our decision to join NISA. Our close relationship with Chattanooga FC was a factor toward our involvement in the NISA Independent Cup in 2020 and 2021. The NISA Independent Cup provides so many regional amateur clubs the chance to be acknowledged on the national level in a meaningful competition. It generated value for us in many forms such as local media coverage and player recruitment. Now that we have gained professional status, our job is to grow the brand and build equity in the market.

What's the next year look like, getting ready?

2022 is our YEAR ZERO! We are in the process of building our structure across all departments and further entrenching ourselves in the market through communication, marketing, partnerships as well as brand building. We are close to announcing our senior management team for our initial phase before staffing up further later this year.

Does the club plan to continue fielding an amateur side once going pro?

We are evaluating this. A reserve side to support our NISA first team is in our 2023 plans while we explore a fully integrated player pyramid apexed by our NISA professional team.

Should we expect roster additions or will the first year be a continuation of the amateur roster?

Yes, we are in the process of revamping our roster to prepare for our inaugural season in NISA in the Spring of 2023. Savannah Clovers FC have had excellent and dedicated players on our roster for the past five seasons, and we will continue to evaluate the full picture of our 2023 team teams.

Anything else we should know?

As Savannah’s first professional soccer club, we have a responsibility to serve our community through the world’s game. We take that responsibility seriously and build all of our decisions around this maxim. We are pursuing ways to complement our NISA professional team with a full slate of offerings. Whether its initiatives in youth soccer, an academy, a meaningful pyramid for female players or social engagement, we intend to build an organization that will be anchored in Savannah for years to come.