Anthracite Football Club

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Announcement

Riverfront United to Rebrand as Anthracite Football Club, an Independent Non-Profit Entity

Scranton, PA – Feb. 16, 2024 — Today, Riverfront Sports and Anthracite Football Club announced the transition of Riverfront United Football Club to operate as an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit entity under the new name, Anthracite Football Club.

Marking a pivotal moment in the club’s evolution, Anthracite Football Club will operate under the authority of a Board of Directors beginning in the 2024-25 season. This rebranding reflects the club’s commitment to embracing our region’s identity and fostering a new era of soccer excellence with the mission to provide more accessible and high-quality competitive soccer opportunities to youth across Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Riverfront Sports Co-Owner Jason O’Malley said: “Riverfront United was founded in 2020 with the goal of changing the landscape of youth soccer in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Since its inception, the combination of an elite coaching staff and premier training facility has allowed the club to grow dramatically. In an effort to further promote that growth, Riverfront Sports is excited to assist and support the club’s transition to Anthracite FC. This will provide access to needed enhancements for the club to take the next step in helping our players reach their full potential. We look forward to a long-term relationship as Riverfront Sports will continue to serve Anthracite’s indoor training and competitive needs. We thank Coach Brendon and his staff as well as the various community leaders who have been pivotal in this advancement.”

Director of Coaching Brendon Weinhardt said: “I first want to thank Riverfront Sports for nurturing our club into the amazing organization it has become in the past three years. I have witnessed our club grow from four to fifteen teams and watched our players and teams progress from local leagues to playing against some of the best competition in the country. As we enter an exciting new chapter as a non-profit, we will broaden our partnerships to expand field access, support player development off the field through service to the community, and increase accessibility to competitive soccer..

Riverfront United was a huge success and Riverfront Sports will always be our home and birthplace. For that, we are extremely grateful to the Riverfront Sports ownership group and staff. As we move forward, we are excited to establish Anthracite FC as the premier soccer club in the region while helping players of all ages, skill levels, socioeconomic status, and ethnicities enjoy the beautiful game.”

Follow our journey on social media and visit www.anthracitefc.org for updates and further details.

Our Mission

The mission of Anthracite Football Club (AFC) is to provide accessible and high-quality competitive soccer opportunities for youth. We aim to promote inclusivity, personal growth, and community engagement. By focusing on player development, teamwork, and character building, we strive to educate and empower young athletes with the skills and values necessary to succeed both on and off the field. We aim to promote inclusivity, personal growth, and community engagement.

Anthracite FC will operate as a non-profit and was established as a 501(C)(3) organization

Club Operations & Staff

Brendon Weinhardt

Executive Director

Zachary Shiposh

Director of Coaching

Contact

Frequently Asked Questions

Who, What, Why FAQ:

What is Anthracite Football Club?
Anthracite Football Club (AFC) is a non-profit soccer club serving the Anthracite Region (Lackawanna, Luzerne, Carbon, Northumberland & Schuylkill Counties). Our mission is to provide accessible and high-quality competitive soccer opportunities for youth. We aim to promote inclusivity, personal growth, and community engagement. By focusing on player development, teamwork, and character building, we strive to educate and empower young athletes with the skills and values necessary to succeed both on and off the field.

Who is leading AFC?
AFC will be governed by a Board of Directors to ensure financial stability and commitment to the Mission. The club will be managed by Brendon Weinhardt, Executive Director, and Zachary Shiposh, Director of Coaching.

What are the major benefits to this transition?
AFC will have access to other facilities to support our growing club. As a non-profit we will have greater ability to raise funds, access grants, and work in tandem with local government to better serve the broader soccer community. We will still continue our relationship with Riverfront Sports as a training and game location.

Why is this transition happening?
Due to the growth of Riverfront United, club leaders along with the ownership group of Riverfront Sports decided it to be mutually beneficial for the club to transition to an independent, non-profit entity to increase accessibility to alternative growth funding and ensure the existence within a private business didn’t become an obstacle.

Is this an amicable split from Riverfront?
Yes, AFC and Riverfront Sports intend to continue partnering in multiple areas.

How are Board members selected and what information will be shared?
An initial group of board members was formed to create the non-profit legal entity and plan for the transition to an independent club. The group will now begin focusing on financial operations and establishing good governance and transparency practices, including size and make-up of the Board. These will evolve over the coming year as policies are developed.

Riverfront Teams FAQ:

Will Riverfront have teams?
No, Riverfront Sports will not continue to operate an in-house soccer club under the current leadership and staff.

What will happen to the current Riverfront United teams?
The current Riverfront United teams will transition via name change to AFC. Tryouts will determine the teams for the 2024-25 season under the AFC banner.

Will the transition affect current team rankings or team play?
No, The teams will continue to operate under the same Team IDs in GotSport, and thus, will retain all ranking points.

How will the current teams stay recognizable after leaving the Riverfront brand?
Anthracite Football Club will be the club’s official name. All team names will include the name Riverfront United this Spring 2024 as we transition. (Example: Anthracite FC/Riverfront United 2006 Boys Wolves).

Need to Know for Parents FAQ:

Will current staff coaches remain in the club?
Yes, the current staff at Riverfront United will transition with and continue to coach at AFC.

Will AFC still play at Riverfront Sports? Where else will the club train and play games?
AFC will still train and play games at Riverfront Sports. Teams will also train and play at other locations like the University of Scranton, Marywood University, Connell Park, McDade Park, Hillside Park, and Schautz Stadium.

How will the cost to play be impacted?
Part of our Mission is to improve access to competitive soccer. Our intent is to quickly begin exploring ways to offset costs and provide financial assistance where appropriate. It will take some time to stabilize the Club financially, so, please be patient as we first work through the successful transition to a non-profit.

Will we need new uniforms?
New uniforms will be needed for the Fall season. This is an area we will explore ways to offset costs.

I have a LeagueApps Credit, Can I apply that to AFC?
You can use a Riverfront Sports LeagueApps credit toward any payments made for the remainder of this year and any Riverfront Sports program moving forward. You cannot use Riverfront Sports LeagueApps credit toward Anthracite FC expenses.

When are tryouts?
Tryout dates will be announced in late February. Follow our social media pages to stay up-to-date.

Where will tryouts be?
We plan to use the Riverfront Sports facility for tryouts again this year.

Where can I sign my child up for tryouts?
Tryout dates will be announced in late February with a link to register. Follow our social media pages to stay up-to-date.

What can I do to help?
Spread the word and help with fundraising efforts. Also, please be patient and supportive. This is a significant milestone and change for the Club. We want your input and feedback and will greatly benefit from your patience as we work through this transition over the coming months.

Philadelphia Union Affiliation:

Will AFC retain the Philadelphia Union affiliation?
The affiliation with the Philadelphia Union requires clubs to fulfill certain uniform and financial requirements. For example, clubs must wear Adidas uniforms. Also, clubs are required to market “Philadelphia Union Clinics” to their player base and achieve specific financial targets. Because we aim to lighten the financial cost on our families and gain more flexibility in choosing our uniform provider, AFC will not retain the affiliation with the Philadelphia Union.

Founding Board Members

Layne Crothers
LP Frieder
Michael Pryor
Zachary Shiposh
Patrick Walsh
Brendon Weinhardt