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After months of coordination and planning between several departments at ISL, MIC Football USA officially made its debut this past weekend in South Florida. It signifies a milestone in the continued growth of ISL, and exemplifies the professionalism and quality which MIC Football USA will continue to bring to the youth soccer landscape in the United States.
The inaugural tournament was a huge success, and gave a preview of the future for MIC Football USA in regards to its ability to attract visitors to the South Florida region. Over 900 players and thousands of attendee’s enjoyed a weekend at Central Broward Regional Stadium and Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, filled with highly competitive matches and a soccer experience exported from one of Europes finest youth soccer establishments, MIC Football.
Clubs across U12, U14, and U16 age categories traveled from Colorado, Arizona, New York, Illinois and even featured an international club from the Dominican Republic. Supporters from those clubs tuned in for Live Streamed matches throughout the weekend, attracting over 10,000 Youtube views over 3 days.
Like other large scale events, MIC Football USA required extensive coordination and logistical planning. What takes the tournament to the next level and sets it apart is the professionalism, quality, and delicate brand management when matched up to similar events. ISL are proud of its Event Management team, and all it achieved with MIC Football USA. They will continue to provide an unmatched service, achieving unmatched results.
Legendary players like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Gerrard Pique have competed in MIC Football in Costa Brava, Spain during its 20 year history. MIC Football USA exports this past and exists with the mission of becoming the most admired youth soccer tournament in America, making Fort Lauderdale a destination for the historic tournament. The tournament has been brought to the United States with the goal of raising the level of professionalism and quality currently seen in Youth Soccer Tournaments, and take the Youth Soccer Tournament landscape to a new level. Most importantly, MIC Football USA will continue providing young players the opportunities to compete against the best teams and players in the world.
Attendees, coaches and players were quick to voice their support of the tournament. Manager and Coach of Verum Academy from Orlando, and Champions of the U14 age group, said “It had everything you wanted out of a soccer experience. Everything was top class from the competition, to the administrative side, to the entertainment. The city is great obviously so we look forward to see it again in the Miami area next year. Now we get to look forward to competing in MIC Football in Spain.”
October 30, 2019
This month, ISL Travel Management, with the support and aid from players and families traveling from the United States, have began an initiative to help aid our environment. Every little bit can help keep our environment clean and help avoid waste. ISL understand this, and have taken steps towards doing their part during international trips.
The initiative was introduced at the beginning of October during our second ever all girls international experience trip, and continued during our Barcelona Experience Trip at the end of October. During training, games or cultural activities, ISL staff worked to emphasize and educate players on the importance of taking care of the locations they were visiting, and how every bit of help goes a long way towards helping their environment. Players and families helped clean up beaches, training facilities, and accommodations. Most importantly, as the players need to constantly rehydrate during their soccer training or games, water bottles were recycled or re-used throughout the trip.
The major hopes of our initiative is that the young players leave the trip with a sense of pride in taking care of their environment, and gain an education in the importance of being conscious about their footprint, even when they are playing hard and having fun! The initiative was so widely welcomed, that all international sports trips in the future will continue the recycling program, and help build a better future!
October 18, 2019
We are a little over three weeks out from the inaugural MICFootball USA Tournament, and teams across the U.S. and Caribbean are buzzing with anticipation about making their way to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 2019 promises to be the first of many exciting and competitive tournaments for years to come.
Bred out of Spain, the original MICFootball Tournament is held annually in Costa Brava. This year marks a milestone for them as they will be celebrating 20 years of putting on this global event that has produced stars such as Coutinho, Neymar and Messi. Additionally, MICFootball prides itself on being globally recognized for its high level of competition and professionalism, setting the standard in Youth Soccer tournament experiences, a standard ISL seek to replicate in the United States.
The First MIC Football USA will see teams convene upon Central Broward Regional Park, site location of the 2019 Tournament, from Colorado, Arizona, Illinois, Dominican Republic, New York, and of course Florida.
MICFootball USA will continue to grow the legacy of MICFootball, as well as export the values and prestige to the shores of Florida. Kickoff is will take place on November 9th at Central Broward Regional Park. This facility boasts of 5 lush 11v11 Bermuda grass fields, with a main stadium that can adequately seat 5,000 spectators. In addition to the heated competition on the fields, there will be plenty of activities off of the field to enjoy. Activities include food trucks, a fan fun zone, opening ceremonies, and a closing awards ceremony for players and age category winners.
But wait, there’s more! Winners of each respective age category (U12, U14, U16) will receive a FREE invitation to MIC Football in Spain to participate in the original tournament against the best of the best! We are beyond excited to get things kicked off and we look forward to seeing you there.
Over a 10 day trip, 90 girls from across the United States experienced the second international all girls clinic put together by ISL’s Travel Management team. During the trip, players immerse themselves into European soccer lifestyle, as well as learn the value of experiencing international cultures. While playing in competitive matches, the clinic participants represent ISL’s unique on field brand, Team ISL. Players train in world class soccer facilities, compete against European academies, learn from the teachings of leaders in the game, and explored the beautiful culture of Barcelona.
During the trip, FC Barcelona Femini, one of the most successful Spanish Womens Soccer Teams of all time, were gracious enough to take time out of their training for a meet and greet with the girls clinic participants. International stars like Marta Torrejon and Stefani Van Der Gragt gave some words of inspiration, and took photos. It was a special moment which the clinic players will remember forever.
Not only was there a girls clinic going on, but ISL Travel Management was also leading a clinic for 35 of the top boys players around the country. ISL were executing 2 clinics over the same 10 day period. As our Travel Management Team continues to grow, more opportunities like this will continue to be a reality.
Across the United States, Barca Academy USA kicked off a new season as ISL enters the 4th year of activating FC Barcelona’s global brand strategy. 6 Academies from coast to coast, and 1 from Costa Rica, begin their season with Opening Ceremonies which are unique to Barca Academy. They welcome the future FC Barcelona hopefuls as they begin their journey learning the FC Barcelona teachings and methodologies. For a few lucky locations, FC Barcelona legend and current club ambassador Juliano Belletti, goalscorer in the 2006 Champions League final, was in attendance. Take in the excitement and fun with our special gallery from across the country!
In Barcelona, Spain today, FC Barcelona Femení, one of the most successful Spanish Women’s soccer teams, took time after training to meet with an all girls soccer group that ISL Travel Management were managing during a Sports Trip throughout the historic Catalan city. Major Women’s soccer stars like Marta Torrejón, and Stefani Van Der Gragt met with the girls soccer players to provide words of encouragement and to hopefully inspire them to further greatness! We’d like to thank FC Barcelona Femeni and their players for helping create this special moment.
In January, ISL moved it’s American Headquarters from Charlotte, NC to Miami, FL. The move signified the growth and continued expansion of ISL Agency, a growth that would be difficult to imagine when we began.
Moving a headquarter over 700 miles, to one of the most renowned cities in the world is never an easy task, but ISL Miami HQ is truly up and running. We are proud of how the space has come together, and we now continue to establish ourselves in one of the largest Sports Business markets in the world. While our employees are all over the world, Miami HQ is what connects all corners of our business, and will see employees come and go during their work travels.
Check out the new space below, and next time you’re in Miami, our doors are always open. We’ll see you in Miami soon!
For the second time this year the ISL family got together to celebrate achievements, milestones, discuss company vision for 2020 and to bond over good food and healthy athletic competition.
This past May marked ISL’s 6th year anniversary as a company. What started off as a dream by a couple of childhood friends from Spain has blossomed into a global sports management powerhouse, with 8 locations across the United States and Europe, with 100+ full time employees working with a variety of clients and projects.
Upon arrival in the historic Catalonian city we were met by the mountainous terrain in the distance and the salt air from the nearby coast line. With a sense of electricity that is seemingly unique to this part of the world we converged onto the southern part of the city. Our time together was limited, so we were determined to maximize it.
Events were held at the world famous David Lloyd Club Turo Sports Facility, the location of WTA Tournaments in recent years, for our corporate meeting with the executive team and all of the directors. ISL CEO, Alex Isern, opened up by welcoming us, some pleasantries, anecdotes and the itinerary for the day. Shortly after concluding his remarks we jumped right in.
An array of topics were covered by each of the departments that make up ISL as a whole. This was a great way for each director to level set the expectations of their respective department. Senior Executives and C-Suite discussed how we can all work together in tandem for the greater good of the company to improve programs and our customer or client experiences.
What was set for a 3 hour block of presentations and open discussion flew by, and before we knew it both Alex Isern and Marc Segarra (Co-Founder) were up front delivering their concluding remarks and heartfelt thanks to each of us for the hard work and dedication that has been put in to getting ISL Agency to where it is today.
Shortly after the conclusion of the meeting the team made there way to locker rooms to change out for the first of hopefully many more future Padel competitions to come. Padel is a racquet sport, which is both fast and highly entertaining to play and watch. After a spirited afternoon of competition, laughter and one rolled ankle, a pair of champions were crowned. From the courts we made our way out for an evening of fellowship over good food and wine. As the evening drew to a close we were all reminded of how fortunate we are to be in each others lives. Not just from a professional point of view, but because we genuinely work together like one big happy family, and although it may not have been the sole purpose of the trip, it was the lasting impression we all walked away with.
A successful week was rounded out with a surprise visit from our old friend and partner, Bobby Epstein – the owner of COTA, who had travelled to Barcelona to catch up with the ISL owners and team before everyone headed back to their respective parts of the world. “Since I met Marc and Alex I knew they were going to build something unique. Their work ethic, passion, and business acumen are very impressive and I’m very excited to start doing things together. ISL has a tremendous potential in the US and I look forward to pushing the boundaries of this industry” – Bobby Epstein. We are truly grateful for this relationship and look forward to many fruitful years ahead.
This week it was announced that United States Youth Futsal (USYF), the highest level of youth Futsal, have partnered with ISL to help execute future international Futsal trip management. The partnership, beginning in 2019, signifies the first time ISL Travel Management will provide services to Futsal athletes, and are excited to enter an agreement with a great organization like USYF. ISL have become leaders in sports Travel Planning for large groups, and are thrilled USYF have trusted us with its travel needs. ISL Travel Management will be taking care of accommodations, flights, cultural activities, training, and competition opportunities against European opposition.
Players and families from from across the country will be heading to Barcelona for the trip. Talented Futsal players between the ages of 10-14 begin the selection process during more localized State ID events. Those players selected from their State ID are then eligible for the National ID event in Kansas, where the talent pool is narrowed down to a select group who will compete in Europe during an International Futsal Experience. The rigorous selection process yielded invitations to 108 of the best Futsal players around the country, and will bring the unique experience of players competing internationally alongside fellow players from the other side of the country.
It’s the beginning of hundreds of memories around the United States, and creating connections across the country through the power of sport.
As part of our 6 year anniversary celebration, we’re taking the time to look back at our short yet productive history as a company. Over the past several months, we have been revealing our story, bit by bit, a story that wouldn’t exist without everyone who has helped support ISL along the way.
For our fourth look back at our story, we take a look as we began to truly expand, and grow in ways we couldn’t imagine.
