Taken from the WPSL website here:

From L to R: Ruiz, Oettl & Mann will lead side this summer in the South Conference

SACRAMENTO, CA (04/18/08) - The Florida Surge of the South Conference of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is starting it’s inaugural season this summer and will offer a higher level of play to up-and-coming talent in the Central Florida area as well as abroad in one of the top leagues in the world. Playing at the David Maus Toyota Soccer Complex - located just north of Orlando and Disney - the Surge will host a variety of job opportunities and local activities for players to not only improve their skill-sets by playing at a higher level, but enjoy their time as well.

“The league would like to welcome the Surge to the WPSL,” said WPSL Commissioner Jerry Zanelli. “We have every reason to believe they will be a strong addition to the South Conference this summer.”

Florida has announced their coaching staff for Summer 2008 and Head Coach Mauricio Ruiz will lead the Surge for their first campaign. Born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mauricio holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) coaching license and is the former Coaching Director for Florida Soccer Alliance. Mauricio is currently playing professional soccer in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) for the Orlando Sharks, as well as coaching at the high school level at Winter Springs High School.

“I’m excited to be coaching in the WPSL for the Florida Surge’s inaugural season and am eager to display the talent level of Central Florida players,” said Ruiz.

Assistant Coach Kurt R. Oettl holds a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Advanced National Diploma as well as a NSCAA National Diploma. He helped coach the WPSL’s Central Florida Strikers in their 2006 & 2007 seasons and has coached for the Girls Premiers team from the U-12 to U-17 age groups since 2002. Oettl is also the head coach for Winter Springs High School with an overall record of 50-36-4. 

Assistant Coach Jason Mann is in his fourth year as the Head Coach for Girl’s Soccer at Edgewater High School (Orlando, FL). The Edgewater Eagles have made it to the state play-offs each year and in the process have won three Metro Conference Championships, three District Championships, once a Regional Finalist, once a Regional Champion, and once a State Finalist.

Mann holds licenses from the NSCAA and USSF and also serves as the FACA (Florida Athletic Coaches Association) East Region Coordinator for Girl’s Soccer. Coach Mann was a member of the inaugural coaching staff of the WPSL’s Orlando Falcons and is excited about this season with the Florida Surge.

You can find contact information and news about the Florida Surge at surgesoccer.com. The WPSL is now a 51-team national women’s soccer league with five conferences and is considered one of the top women’s soccer leagues in the world.

The WPSL’s mission is to provide the highest level of women’s soccer while simultaneously providing affordable, quality family entertainment and positive role models for youth. For more information, you can contact us via email at media@wpsl.info.

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