'Caps partner with First Wave
Friday, March 31, 2006
VANCOUVER, BC -- Vancouver Whitecaps Director of Soccer Operations, Bob Lenarduzzi, announced today the Whitecaps new partnership with First Wave Sports Marketing. The partnership will provide player representation and marketing, and further develop the clubs European relationships and programs.
 “Our new partnership with First Wave Sports Marketing is an important piece of our club player development model,” said Lenarduzzi. “This relationship will allow us to represent players and prospects within the Whitecaps club and also proactively create development opportunities and relationships in Europe and throughout North America.”
Barry MacLean, Director of First Wave Sports Marketing and a FIFA licensed agent with the Canadian Soccer Association agrees. “Working closely with the Whitecaps will allow us to support and grow opportunities for their players and prospects,” said MacLean. “We’re pleased to partner with the Whitecaps, and I look forward to getting to know the players who are in the Whitecaps club and system.”
First Wave Sports Marketing, which worked with the Whitecaps to bring Cardiff City FC to Vancouver as part of this July’s inaugural Whitecaps Nations Cup, is also arranging the final details for a training camp at an English Premiership Grounds in August for the Whitecaps U12 Boys Prospects team. In addition, the Whitecaps will also look to set up additional training opportunities at other European club grounds for selected Whitecaps Prospect players in the U15 to U18 range.
“Player management and placement is a natural extension of our Prospects player development program,” said Whitecaps Youth Director Dan Lenarduzzi. “We want to be able to provide a full range of opportunities for our youth and senior players and prospects. These opportunities include the Whitecaps professional teams, national teams, in addition to European and scholastic opportunities.”
Founded by former English league players, Graham Smith and Frank McClintock in 1990, First Wave Sports Marketing, quickly became one of the strongest soccer agencies in Britain. Recognizing the untapped talent in North America Graham Smith moved the First Wave Sports Marketing offices to Ojai, California in 1996 and has continued to grow their international business and expanded their interests in the North American marketplace. To date they have been instrumental in the transfers of soccer players such as Teddy Sheringham, Dion Dublin and Mark Bosnich.
First Wave are also one of the strongest soccer agencies in the North American marketplace. Led by Patrick McCabe, First Wave Sports Marketing Director, they represent over 45 players currently playing in North America, and over twenty players in Europe. For more information on First Wave Sports Marketing visit www.firstwavesports.com
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