USL and Hisense USA Announce Tampa Mini-Pitch Opening

TAMPA, FL – The USL and Hisense USA today announced a new mini-pitch, built in collaboration with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the Tampa Bay Rowdies, will be unveiled Nov. 17 at a grand opening ceremony. The ribbon-cutting will take place at the Rowdies’ new training facility near Veterans Expressway at 8108 Benjamin Road, Tampa and is set to include appearances by Rowdies players, USL executives and local officials – with a free youth clinic and giveaways for attendees.

The mini-pitch is the first in the Hisense Community Pitch Programme established earlier this year when the organisations entered a multi-year partnership, making Hisense USA the Official Television of the USL. The mini-pitch will be available for open play and local youth organisations. Constructed by Musco Lighting, the mini-pitch will have the dimensions of an international futsal court, built-in goals, a high-performance acrylic playing surface and factory-aimed TLC for LED® luminaires.

“Unstructured, small-sided games are a great way to fall in love with soccer (football) and get exercise,” said Josh Keller, USL Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Partnerships. “We applaud and thank Hisense USA, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies for working together to create this new space for the community.”

“Hisense USA is proud to partner with the USL to make the sport of soccer (football) more accessible in the US, said David VanderWaal, Vice President of Brand Marketing. “As a brand for the people, Hisense recognises the importance of creating a community through soccer (football) and giving back to grassroots efforts that ensure everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to partake in this international pastime.” Hisense is the second largest manufacturer of LCD TVs in the world and is in its third consecutive year of growth in the TV market – continuing to prove its leadership in the industry. Hisense USA is focused on making great products and putting those products, technologies, and features within people’s reach. Today, Hisense USA offers a range of technology products including televisions, laser TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, beverage coolers, and freezers. “We are proud to join the efforts to increase access for local youth by providing training sessions and soccer (football) clinics at this incredible new facility,” said Tampa Bay Rowdies Vice Chairman Brian Auld. “It also serves as a reminder to our Rowdies players of where they started — on fields in their own neighbourhoods growing up — and how they can be an inspiration for the next generation of soccer (football) players.”

About Musco Lighting

Since 1976, Musco Lighting has led the world in the design and manufacture of sports and large area lighting solutions. The company has pioneered the most innovative systems using metal halide and LED technologies, resulting in an unparalleled ability to control glare and light spill in a way that’s cost effective and energy efficient. Musco has been engineering systems around the LED for nearly a decade, and has designed permanent and temporary solutions for everything from Little League® pitches to Olympic Games. The company has earned awards including an Emmy for the quality of its lighting in television broadcasts and a Technical Academy Award for movie lighting. Musco’s global team of experts partner with customers to plan, complete, and maintain a trouble-free solution for their facilities.