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breathe
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For many the Christmas season is a time to take a break from the busyness of the year and relax with family and loved ones. For others, it’s the chance to experience a once in a lifetime trip to Barcelona with their extended futsal family, all the while taking in rich Spanish culture and showcasing their indoor prowess by playing against the highest level of international competition.
If you didn’t know already, futsal is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing youth sports in America, for boys and girls, and beyond that the U.S. is producing some of the best talent in the world.
As a global sports marketing company, with a heavy focus on soccer, we pride ourselves in being involved in this alternative to the beautiful game, additionally running two successful futsal academies in Austin, TX and Charlotte, NC as part of our portfolio, spearheaded by ISL Director, Adam Brundle.
In the world of Futsal ISL has quickly aligned itself with the game’s heavy hitters, including the USYF and Keith Tozer – the Commissioner of the Professional Futsal League. It was through this relationship that the idea of putting on a trip together for a sizable group of boys and girls in conjunction with USYF to Barcelona was birthed. This is no easy feat, but the task of seasoned professionals like our Travel Management and Experience Team, headed up by Achille Obougou.
From the planning stages to the execution, it all came and went in the blink of an eye. Over the course of 10 days, 250 plus players and family members made the inaugural USYF/ISL joint international trip from different parts of the U.S. to the Catalonian city of Barcelona. Aside from being a highly immersive training and competitive playing trip, where the USYF played the likes of the Catalan National team, players and guests had the chance to take in the historical sights, take an all access tour of Camp Nou, dine at the many wonderful eateries around the city, but best of all they all had the great fortune of being able to participate in a FC Barcelona Futsal – First Team practice, as well as the chance to meet their heroes and grab pictures with them.
“From the time we landed in Barcelona until the time we headed back to the States, the ISL team had seamlessly organized and executed a non-stop, fun and action packed itinerary for the players and family members.” – Keith Tozer. He added, “We are very excited about the partnership the USYF have with ISL, and look forward to many trips together in the near future.”
What better way to feel the Holiday Spirit than to give back to our communities, and help those in need. This was the vision when putting together the ISL Foundation Holiday Kickoff Charity Food Drive. ISL Foundation exists to improve our communities through the power of sport, and during the holidays this is even more important.
In total, the Academies and Experience Trips collected and donated over 1,000 pounds of goods to local charitable organizations. We’d like to thank all players, coaches, directors and families for helping ISL Foundation improving our communities through sport. Lastly, we thank the Salvation Army, Loaves and Fishes, the Greater Chicago Food Depository and every organization for their help and all that they do not just during the Holidays, but all year.
Over the past year ISL have worked with BK2 in order to aid young soccer players in their journey to play at the next level. While some players have the rare gift of beginning a professional career at a young age, many others find the option to play collegiately as the best fit for them. Playing collegiate not only allows a young player to keep chasing their dream of playing professionally, but provides a valuable education if a professional playing career doesn’t materialize. Not to mention, the academic and athletic scholarship options that come with playing college soccer go a long way.
BK2 are a college counseling organization who work to support young students in the process of American University recruitment, offering services that will position its students in the best possible scenario. The education of applicants and their professional development are the basis of all their efforts. BK2 helps athletes find the best athletic and academic scholarships available to them, and make the process understandable for families who may not be familiar with the American recruitment system.
We look forward to many more years working with BK2 in achieving academic and athletic success for young players around the world!
ISL continues to exceed expectations and clear loftier benchmarks each time a trip is planned and executed. Our ultimate goal for our clients is to give them the chance to make memories that will last a lifetime, and this past week was no exception as our Travel Management Team wrapped up another successful international trip, only this time they were in two separate countries at once. The scale of an undertaking like this can not be understated as ISL Travel Management once again set higher expectations.
That said, over the course of 10 days close to 1,000 players and their family members made the trip from different parts of the U.S. to one of two destinations, Barcelona and Manchester, for a whirlwind of a trip. ISL’s strong partnerships with Manchester City FC and FC Barcelona, it provided opportunities unmatched to anywhere else in the world. Players were treated to training at world class facilities in preparation for tackling top European academies while representing Team ISL, and lastly taking in cultural activities, sightseeing and enjoying local fair.
As soon as it all started, it was quickly over, but not before new friendships were formed over a common passion for the beautiful game, making this trip that much more memorable for all involved.
We love what we do in making an impact on the lives of our clients and we look forward to the next trip coming up soon. See how you too can experience the ISL difference and have the soccer trip of a lifetime with your loved ones.
Today is an exciting day as ISL Agency continue to expand its sports business service offering with the announcement of Tours And Friendlies to its portfolio. In our short yet busy history, we’ve been proud to continue offering high quality sports business solutions to our partners and clients, the addition of Tours And Friendlies is no different. We are excited to continue helping expand our clients brand, discover new fans, and achieve unmatched sports management results.
ISL will be assisting professional clubs, federations, leagues or promotors to organize friendly games, tours or tournaments, as well as broker sponsorship opportunities as a result of these agreements.
ISL CEO Alex Isern said on the exciting new service, “We are very excited to offer this opportunity to professional clubs that are looking for new revenue streams, but also to increase their fan base abroad. We have already started talking with several clubs and our goal is to manage more than 50 games next summer.”
In recent years, soccer clubs have increasingly ventured outside of their home country in search for new surroundings during pre-season training and matches. Not only do clubs find training inspiration in new environments, and playing challenges against foreign competition, but the opportunity to expand their brand and discover new fans. Tours And Friendlies blends a clubs aspirations with competing against new opposition, and commercially grow the clubs brand.
For additional information, contact Bruno Diaz via email at bdiaz@islagency-old.nntesting.com or via phone +1 954-505-1378 (US) and +34 654 538 125 (Global).
During a 5 day camp experience, players will be taken through an immersive training regiment that mimics that of a season long Barca Academy style program, all of which is rooted in the same values and methodologies that are in line with FCB standards.
So, be the hero your kids want you to be this Christmas and give the gift that allows them to train and play like a real Barcelona player for a week! Get in early, these camps will sell out quickly and there are limited spots per city.
Soccer has always been viewed as a unifying game. It sees beyond race, religion, orientation and intellectual and developmental disabilities, so when ISL was approached to take part in the second annual Celebrity Soccer Match hosted by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino event in Miami, Florida, we jumped at the chance to be involved.
From day one of ISL being formed, putting people first and giving back to the communities we have a presence in has been the root core of our value system. We are fortunate to have the relationships and ties we do into the sporting ecosystem, which affords us opportunities each day to thrive as a company. So, getting the chance to lend a helping hand to those in our community that need it most is a two fold blessing for them and us, especially around the holiday season.
It’s in that vein that we proudly support Best Buddies, an international organization who’s services includes, but not limited to, children and adults with Down Syndrome, Autism, Fragile X, Williams Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury and other undiagnosed disabilities. They are the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Their programs empower the unique abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, securing successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.
Celebrities, soccer stars, models and their Buddies gathered for the ultimate Celebrity Beach Soccer Match in a unique fun-filled day of curated events that featured; 7-on-7 friendly matches, meet-n-greet, children’s clinics, soccer training fitness class, show-cases, brand activations and a whole lot more. Industry professionals, sport enthusiasts, local government, influencers as well as residents alike took part in a family-friendly event with individuals from different cultures and all over the world.
In support of the event, ISL organized and managed the Fan Zone experience during the event. Setting up experiences for participants to play, network and to make new friends. We’re proud of our involvement to make the Celebrity Soccer Match something memorable for everyone in attendance. ISL is an adaptable agency in that we offer an array of services that are customizable to the needs of each of the clients that we partner with from around the globe. It’s in that adaptability we were able to develop something unique to this special event, thinking out side of the box to support events close to home.
Once again the eyes of the soccer and sports business world were locked in on Miami for Soccerex 2019. Heavy hitters from around the globe converged on the magic city to discuss the current state of affairs of the beautiful game, what’s trending, along with what the “future forecasts” are and how the game could possibly improve and/or evolve in the U.S. and internationally. The event has been bringing together the football sphere to network in a unique environment away from the pitch for over twenty years and for two days our team immersed themselves in all that this industry leading networking event had to offer.
2019 was another terrific event, boasting a wide variety of leading senior soccer industry specialists with expertise in areas such as business strategy, broadcasting, stadia, grassroots, club soccer and new media. Topics relating to grassroots development projects was one close to the interests of ISL Agency. With our work across the country in Youth Soccer Academies, and International Youth Soccer Tournaments, ISL executives understand first hand the importance of leading these campaigns. Speakers this year included MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Fox Sports Analysts and personalities Alexi Lalas and Stuart Holden, NWSL President Amanda Duffy, and Inter Miami Co-Owner Jorge Mas.
ISL executives were on site during a busy two day of meetings and presentations from the game’s leaders. Now that Soccerex is held annually in Miami, FL, ISL executives make sure to take advantage of one of the worlds biggest soccer conventions.
As soccer continues to grow and thrive throughout the United States conferences like that of Soccerex will become increasingly more important to take part in, not just from a catching up stand point with old friends, but more so to connect with future business partners and to remain on the bleeding edge of the game that is uniting the world.
It’s always an honor to be recognized for hard work and successful achievements made along the path of your professional life, but even more so when the recognition comes from an institution that holds near to your heart.
This past weekend ISL Co-Founders Alex Isern and Marc Segarra made the trip from Miami, FL to their alma mater, Winthrop University in South Carolina to receive the “Outstanding Young Alumni” Award at the annual Alumni Weekend Luncheon on the school’s main campus. This was a nostalgic trip for both colleagues and childhood friends as they walked around the campus prior to the ceremony and reminisced about the great times they both had attending the college from an athletic and scholastic point of view. It was also where the idea of starting a sports marketing company was incepted back in the 2012/13 school calendar year.
As their names were announced, a great deal of pride overcame their faces as they were met with a boisterous applause from fellow classmates and hundreds of other alumni who were in attendance that afternoon. As they took the stage to receive their awards, the school president shared a few words of congratulations, as the award recognizes Winthrop Alumna and Alumnus age 35 or younger whose service to the university, service to the community and professional achievements have reflected positively on all alumni and the university.
ISL Agency has now been thriving for over 6 years and a recognition such as this only validates what was once an idea and continues to fuel the desire to be the best company in the world to connect fans with the brands that they love and to offer unparalleled sporting experiences for clients from around the world. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the journey thus far, we’re only getting started!
