Fusion Futbol Club a welcome merger for North Tampa soccer

NEW TAMPA

It's rare to see potential rivals joining forces, but within the New Tampa soccer community, that is exactly what is happening.

Fusion Futbol Club, the result of a merger between Black Watch Soccer Club and the New Tampa Soccer Association, has two sides joining which both have had success individually. Though with their resources combined, they could reach the top.

"This is probably something we should have done five years ago," said Jim DiNoble, director of soccer operations for Fusion. "We've both had teams in the final rounds of the (Florida) State Cup and are always vying for the same players out of the local talent pool."

Everyone involved in the Fusion idea is excited about the possibilities bringing the two together provides. The vision is becoming a reality this week as the team holds its first tryout as Fusion Futbol Club.

"Just like a merger between businesses, this took a lot of work," DiNoble said. "Everyone had to run business as usual leading up to this as well as trying to put it together, so it hasn't been easy. We've got a good group of people putting all this together that was able to check their egos at the door, so I think we'll be all right."

Politics is a normal part of operating a youth athletic organization and an aspect many parents don't enjoy. Bob Ford is bringing his son, Jacob, all the way from Valrico to play with Fusion to hopefully escape such problems.

"Valrico wasn't really working out for us because of some of the politics with the coaching, so we thought we'd come here," Ford said. "My father coached for Black Watch 20 years ago, but now with them bringing the two sides together, they're looking at a lot more players, teams and coaches, so there will hopefully be more of an opportunity for success for a competitive player."

The competition will be high among Fusion's players as the two programs have more than 1,700 kids between their competitive and recreational teams. That competition for places, however, is exactly what coaches and parents hope will drive the kids to success.

"With this many kids out here, it's going to be hard for my son just to make a team, not to mention keep his spot," Ford said. "He's a goalkeeper, which is more difficult, because there is only a few of them on the roster. He'll have to be competitive to play with these guys. I'll travel the distance from Valrico if I have to so that he can be in this type of environment."

On the other hand, players see it not only as an opportunity to play with good players who were once opponents, but as a chance to unite with friends.

"I have friends that would play on the Black Watch U17 team, and we would always say that we should just be on the same team and then it happened," New Tampa player Isnardin Cadet said. "I'm excited about the two coming together and to be playing with a new group."

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