Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club has announced a new partnership with Arsenal Football Development, connecting the CSRA’s longest-running youth soccer organization with one of the world’s most recognized football clubs.
The partnership will integrate Augusta Arsenal into Arsenal Football Club’s international development network, providing players and coaches access to elite training resources, coaching education, and international opportunities.
“It’s the real Arsenal FC in North London,” said Nick Edmond, Augusta Arsenal’s executive director. “They work with only a handful of clubs across the world to help enhance their programs and spread the Arsenal FC brand. It’s a partnership within their whole setup.”
Edmond said the collaboration will directly benefit local players through new digital training tools, international camps, and the possibility of overseas tours.
An Augusta Arsenal Player scores a goal during practice. Photo by Randy Pace
“Players in our program will have access to an e-academy portal where they can log in, see drills and skills, and send videos to Arsenal academy staff for critique,” Edmond said. “Then there’s the camps and potential tours of going over to England, interacting with their coaching staff, and playing games against kids from England.”
The partnership will also impact Augusta Arsenal’s coaching staff by providing an additional curriculum and development structure for training sessions.
“It gives us a secondary coaching curriculum our coaches can add to what they already do,” Edmond said. “It helps make sessions more structured and gives a better product to the kids.”
Nick Edmond, The Augusta Arsenal’s Executive Director. Photo by Randy Pace
Sam Bevan, Augusta Arsenal’s director of coaching, said the affiliation adds a new level of aspiration for players in the program.
“It gives our kids something to aspire to,” Bevan said. “They feel connected to a team that’s one of the best in the world.”
An Augusta Arsenal Player dives for the save at practice. Photo by Randy Pace
Edmond emphasized that the partnership is about more than elite soccer, it is part of the club’s broader mission to grow the game throughout the region.
“Our main goal is getting kids excited about the game of soccer in general,” Edmond said. “This is a game that brings kids from so many different backgrounds together. It teaches teamwork, sportsmanship, and life lessons. That’s what we do it for.”
The Augusta Arsenal Club coaches 700 community members across the CSRA. Photo by Randy Pace
Founded in 1982, Augusta Arsenal serves approximately 700 players across the CSRA and offers developmental pathways from recreational youth leagues through competitive regional teams. Club leaders say the new partnership represents a major step forward in expanding opportunities for players while continuing to build soccer culture across the region.
Players listening to coaching at the Arsenal’s practice. Photo by Randy Pace