The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) is pleased to announce its first amateur league affiliation with the Gulf Coast Premier League (GCPL). The GCPL has a history of producing quality clubs and players and the agreement provides a pathway to professional status for both clubs and players. Two of GCPL’s clubs, Gaffa FC and Louisiana Krewe, participated in the NISA Independent Cup with Gaffa FC winning the Central Plains Region Championship. GCPL currently has 13 member clubs: Alexandria PBFC, Baton Rouge SC, Cajun Rush, Central Texas Lobos, Crescent City FC, Gaffa FC, Gulf Coast Rangers, Gulf Coast United, Hattiesburg FC, Louisiana Krewe, Mobile United, Northshore United, and Shreveport United. Two of Gulf Coast Premier League’s clubs have also qualified for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Motagua New Orleans (2016) and Louisiana Krewe (2020).
Josh Prutch, NISA EVP of Expansion on the affiliation agreement, “I believe this affiliation, as well as affiliations to come, allows NISA to truly represent what it is, ‘A home for Clubs’. He continued, “This will allow us to offer spots in future NISA Independent Cup competitions based on merit. Two GCPL clubs will be awarded spots in the Independent Cup competition based on league play, thereby allowing the coaches and players to decide it on the pitch.”
“We’re excited about the opportunity to work with NISA and focus our efforts on improving the pathway for both clubs and players in our region. We feel this partnership will be very beneficial for both organizations and the overall growth of the sport in our country,” stated GCPL VP of Operations, Jonathan Rednour.
GCPL President Jeremy Poklemba added, “The GCPL has always sought out what we genuinely believed to be the best for player development and club culture in the gulf coast. Growing our network and connecting ourselves to other like-minded entities are just two of the ways we are continuing to be the front runner for soccer in the gulf coast.”
“This is a big step for independent soccer and creating the foundation for a true open system in this country,” said NISA Commissioner, John Prutch, “The goal is to give independent clubs a larger, unified voice in the future of soccer in this country.”
The Gulf Coast Premier League (GCPL) serves as the leader in amateur soccer along the gulf coast region of the United States, offering a pathway for players pursuing their competitive careers further and assisting our member clubs to organically grow in their communities. The GCPL is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), a member of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
