Virginia Credit Union partners with Richmond Strikers for naming rights at Striker Park
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The Richmond Strikers and Virginia Credit Union have established a partnership designed to expand access to youth soccer for children, teens and families that also includes the renaming of 11 fields on Pouncey Tract Road in Glen Allen as Virginia Credit Union Fields at Striker Park.
Officials from the two organizations and Henrico County joined other attendees to formally unveil the new field names Nov. 16 at the site.
The partnership with Virginia Credit Union will enable the Strikers to expand their programming and provide more than $50,000 annually in scholarships, allowing nearly 75 more players to participate with the Strikers.
“Youth sports brings families and communities together,” said Chris Shockley, Virginia Credit Union’s president and CEO. “We are excited to partner with the Richmond Strikers in this initiative. With thousands of youth and families joining together, Virginia Credit Union Fields at Striker Park represent another way our member-owned credit union can connect with families and our wider community.”
The complex, located on Pouncey Tract Road near Shady Grove Road, includes 11 premium fields (nine natural grass, two synthetic turf).
“I’m proud of this partnership and what Virginia Credit Union represents to Strikers members,” said Jay Howell, executive director of the Richmond Strikers. “This partnership enables the continued contribution of youth and families in a world-class experience, access for more players, and growth of the game. Our partnership with Virginia Credit Union will enable us to both continue and expand our scholarship program so that players and families of all income levels can participate.”
Founded in 1975 and later organized as the nonprofit Richmond Strikers in 1986, the Strikers and their youth sports programs support 4,500 players ages 4-19.
The Strikers annually manage the Jefferson Cup, one of the nation’s most prominent youth soccer tournaments. Hosted annually in March, the Jefferson Cup welcomes more than 1,700 teams, almost 30,000 players from across the United States to the Richmond region. The tournament generates more than 50,000 hotel room nights, resulting in an economic impact gauged to be more than $30 million annually.
“The Richmond Strikers are key drivers for the region’s record-breaking growth and ongoing tourism success,” said Jack Berry, Richmond Region Tourism’s CEO and president. “We know that when families and young athletes visit, they’re excited to compete on the excellent fields at Striker Park and throughout the region. This important partnership means more kids will be introduced to soccer, which is great news for our entire community.”
The vitality of the Richmond community was central to Virginia Credit Union’s interest in partnership with the Strikers.
“Virginia Credit Union regularly reaches 30,000 young people a year through our financial education efforts in schools and community partner organizations,” said Shockley. “Reinforcing our community presence through a partnership with the Richmond Strikers is a move that we expect will have broad community impact.”
Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority Executive Director Dennis Bickmeier said the Strikers’ impact will be an important one as the county expands its sports tourism efforts.
“Sports tourism is a key pillar to the county’s economic development strategy, and we’ve been pretty successful, with the Richmond Strikers playing a key role in that success,” he said. “As we continue to develop our growth strategy with new venues and expanded sports and entertainment opportunities for Henrico and our region, the Strikers will continue to be a major player in driving sports tourism. I’ve been fortunate to work with both the Strikers and Virginia Credit Union over the years, and they are two organizations that focus on community and partnership. I wish them the best on their shared commitment to serving the youth and families of this region.”
