Our Merger With Steel United Soccer Club

Steel United and Watchung Hills Soccer Association Joining Forces in New Jersey

Steel Sports is excited to announce its Steel United New Jersey soccer club is joining forces with Watchung Hills Soccer Association, including its NJ Elite, Travel and Recreation Programs. Steel United and Watchung Hills SA are aligned in their mission, vision, core values and focus on a Kids First philosophy where sports are a vehicle to build character, mold future leaders and teach life lessons. This partnership will bolster player development and expand opportunities for players in the surrounding areas.

“We are very excited to partner with Steel United to create a soccer powerhouse which will provide our players with significant opportunities both locally and nationally,” Watchung Hills SA President Frank Sena said. “We have been searching for a partner that shares our core values and focuses on player development. Steel United is a perfect fit, and this partnership will allow us to continue to execute the vision we created when we established the club in 1978. We look forward to working with Steel United to continue developing outstanding soccer players as well as model citizens.”

Going forward, the Watchung Hills SA Travel and Recreation Programs will undergo minimal changes. United Soccer Academy will continue to provide all training for these programs given their successful 20-year relationship with the club. The NJ Elite program will continue for the 2023-2024 season and then transition to Steel United NJ for the 2024-2025 season. In 2024- 2025, this partnership will include roughly 1,500 players and 35+ premier teams.

“Steel United are thrilled to announce this partnership with Watchung Hills Soccer Association,” Steel United Teams Director Dominic Rice said. “WHSA has spent many years building the foundation and structure to their club, and Steel United can provide a national platform to take them to the next level. This relationship will allow their higher-level players to remain in the local area and provide a proven pathway for players in every age group and ability level. The two clubs align perfectly in terms of mission, vision, core values and geography, and we are jointly committed to inspire youth to reach their potential on and off the field.”

Steel United and Watchung Hills SA will be hosting joint tryouts for select high school teams in the coming weeks and all teams in spring 2024.

About Steel Sports:

Steel Sports is a social impact organization with the mission of inspiring youth to reach their potential, on and off the field, by developing them as athletes and people through the Steel Sports Coaching System. Through its “Kids First” approach, Steel Sports is establishing a new standard in youth sports and coaching, forging the next generation of leaders by instilling Steel Sports’ core values: Teamwork, Respect, Integrity, and Commitment. Steel Sports creates a positive and fun youth sports experience for over 100,000 athletes each year. For more information, visit steelsports.com.

About Watchung Hills SA:

Over the past 45 years, Watchung Hills SA has developed into one of the premier clubs in New Jersey. Its teams have enjoyed a winning tradition at the national, regional and state levels. In addition to developing outstanding soccer players, WHSA believes it is important to foster leadership, philanthropy and high academic standards across its membership.