Triangle Soccer Fanatics Inc. (TSF), a club supporting the growth of the fan base for the Carolina RailHawks, as well as soccer throughout the greater Triangle region, announced today its corporate founding as a North Carolina-based nonprofit organization. In addition to supporting soccer’s growth locally, the club seeks to organize soccer fans in the Raleigh-Durham area, enhance fans’ game day experience and engage in charitable and community outreach in collaboration with the Spread Your Wings outreach organization, the charitable arm of the Carolina RailHawks.
Informally organized in 2002 by a group of local soccer fans, TSF has grown today into an independent supporters club of the Carolina RailHawks with more than 700 active participants. “When I started TSF, I had just moved to the Triangle and was simply looking for a way to connect with other locals who were equally passionate about soccer,” said W. Jarrett Campbell, TSF founder and president. “I had no idea this would grow into what it has become today.” He added, “I spoke with some of the more active members of our group and we realized that we had a great opportunity to formalize this community and harness their enthusiasm both to grow soccer support in the Raleigh-Durham area as well as to provide community outreach efforts.”
TSF is both financially and administratively independent of the Cary-based Carolina RailHawks, who compete in the North American Soccer League (NASL). “The passion that TSF brings to the stadium each game is a huge part of the enhanced atmosphere and home field advantage we have at WakeMed Soccer Park. TSF has taken a significant step for the future of their organization during the offseason, and this formalized, growing club is going to be fantastic for our fans. We look forward to working closely with the group and I encourage all our fans to get to know the new TSF,” said Curt Johnson, president of the Carolina RailHawks.
In addition to drawing on the enthusiasm of the local soccer fans, TSF has also reached out to area leaders for advice on how to grow support for soccer in the area. David Fellerath, former culture and sports editor at INDY Week, has joined TSF as an advisory board member. Fellerath, upon accepting the board appointment, said, “Around the world, supporters groups are integral to club soccer. These groups plan in-game displays of support, including songs, banners and choreographed displays known as tifo. Away from the pitch, they communicate with the club management on governance issues. In the United States, there is an emerging culture of strong fan groups in such places as San Antonio, Texas, Portland, Ore., and Washington, D.C. The incorporation of TSF is an exciting step forward for local professional soccer.”
As a nonprofit corporation, TSF maintains an open membership policy inviting all area soccer fans to join and take an active role in realizing the group’s vision. Interested fans may learn more about the club, explore the benefits and privileges of membership, and join the organization through the TSF website at TriSoccerFan.com. Fans may also follow TSF on Twitter via @TriSoccerFan and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/groups/TriSoccerFan.
Triangle Soccer Fanatics Inc. (TSF), a club supporting the growth of the fan base for the Carolina RailHawks, as well as soccer throughout the greater Triangle region, announced today its corporate founding as a North Carolina-based nonprofit organization. In addition to supporting soccer’s growth locally, the club seeks to organize soccer fans in the Raleigh-Durham area, enhance fans’ game day experience and engage in charitable and community outreach in collaboration with the Spread Your Wings outreach organization, the charitable arm of the Carolina RailHawks.
Informally organized in 2002 by a group of local soccer fans, TSF has grown today into an independent supporters club of the Carolina RailHawks with more than 700 active participants. “When I started TSF, I had just moved to the Triangle and was simply looking for a way to connect with other locals who were equally passionate about soccer,” said W. Jarrett Campbell, TSF founder and president. “I had no idea this would grow into what it has become today.” He added, “I spoke with some of the more active members of our group and we realized that we had a great opportunity to formalize this community and harness their enthusiasm both to grow soccer support in the Raleigh-Durham area as well as to provide community outreach efforts.”
TSF is both financially and administratively independent of the Cary-based Carolina RailHawks, who compete in the North American Soccer League (NASL). “The passion that TSF brings to the stadium each game is a huge part of the enhanced atmosphere and home field advantage we have at WakeMed Soccer Park. TSF has taken a significant step for the future of their organization during the offseason, and this formalized, growing club is going to be fantastic for our fans. We look forward to working closely with the group and I encourage all our fans to get to know the new TSF,” said Curt Johnson, president of the Carolina RailHawks.
In addition to drawing on the enthusiasm of the local soccer fans, TSF has also reached out to area leaders for advice on how to grow support for soccer in the area. David Fellerath, former culture and sports editor at INDY Week, has joined TSF as an advisory board member. Fellerath, upon accepting the board appointment, said, “Around the world, supporters groups are integral to club soccer. These groups plan in-game displays of support, including songs, banners and choreographed displays known as tifo. Away from the pitch, they communicate with the club management on governance issues. In the United States, there is an emerging culture of strong fan groups in such places as San Antonio, Texas, Portland, Ore., and Washington, D.C. The incorporation of TSF is an exciting step forward for local professional soccer.”
As a nonprofit corporation, TSF maintains an open membership policy inviting all area soccer fans to join and take an active role in realizing the group’s vision. Interested fans may learn more about the club, explore the benefits and privileges of membership, and join the organization through the TSF website at TriSoccerFan.com. Fans may also follow TSF on Twitter via @TriSoccerFan and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/groups/TriSoccerFan.
