United Premier Soccer League Announces Bright Stars SC of Colorado as New Expansion Club

Aurora (Colo.)-Based Pro Development Club Joins UPSL for the 2018 Spring Season

LOS ANGELES - April 10, 2018 - PRLog -- The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) is excited to announce Bright Stars of Colorado Soccer Club as a new member starting with the 2018 Spring Season.

Based in Aurora (Colo.), Bright Stars of Colorado SC begins UPSL play in the Colorado Conference Championship Division, and will host its home games at Adams City High School (7200 Quebec Pkwy, Commerce City, CO 80022) in compliance with UPSL's Minimum Standards.

United Premier Soccer League Commissioner Yan Skwara said, "Colorado has been a shining light for the United Premier Soccer League so it's only fitting as we welcome Bright Stars of Colorado Soccer Club to the UPSL. Founder John Abum has a passion for the game at all levels, and he's a big part of the vibrant soccer community in the greater Denver Area. We wish John and Bright Stars of Colorado every success as they prepare for the kickoff of the 2018 Spring Season."

John Abum is Founder and President of Bright Stars of Colorado Soccer Club. A native of Gambia, Abum has established Bright Stars youth clubs in both Gambia and Ghana before immigrating to the United States and creating Bright Stars of Colorado SC.

Bright Stars of Colorado Soccer Club Founder and President John Abum said, "We started as a youth club and we watched the UPSL in Colorado from the start and decided it was time to get in on this great competition. Our main focus has been on the kids because most of our youth don't play in associated clubs so I made the decision to start Bright Stars and build a way to reach into our own African communities."

"But if you look at our teams we have few Africans but we mostly have people from all over the world," said Abum, 38, currently a Banker for Wells Fargo in Denver. "We have Spanish, we have people from the Middle East and Africa – mostly all immigrants."

Bright Stars of Colorado (BSC) is a 501c3 charitable and educational organization that aims to showcase young players' potential, bringing together a diverse group from a wide number of immigrant backgrounds.

Former Nigerian international Anietie Ukoh is the team's Head Coach. Ukoh, 53, played briefly for St. Etienne in France and for Nigeria's Men's Under-23 and Men's National teams. He has also coached Nigeria's Men's Under-23 team.

Lionel Saikou, 32, is the club's Director of Media and Marketing.

The club soon will announce its game schedule.

About Bright Stars of Colorado SC

Bright Stars of Colorado SC is an American Soccer club currently based in Aurora, Colo., and a new member of the United Premier Soccer League. Bright Stars of Colorado SC plays in the UPSL Pro Premier.

Founded in 2016, Bright Stars of Colorado SC can participate in the qualifying rounds for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup through their affiliation and membership with the UPSL, the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA).

Contact:

John Abum

Direct: 720-262-8761

Email: bstars@bscsoccer.org

Website: www.bscsoccer.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brightstarssoccer

Twitter: @brightstarsoccer

Instagram: @brightstarsoccer

United Premier Soccer League

The UPSL was formed in 2011 and currently includes more than 150 teams in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. UPSL is the fastest growing Pro Development League in the USA, with 200-plus teams targeted for 2018 Fall Season. Each UPSL team is individually owned and operated, and is responsible for maintaining either UPSL Pro Premier Division or Championship Division minimum standards.

UPSL teams are all eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds through the leagues affiliation with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA).

More information about UPSL can be found at www.upslsoccer.com or by following the league on Facebook (www.facebook.com/upslsoccer) and Twitter (@upslsoccer).

Contact UPSL:

info@upslsoccer.com

Direct: 310-415-5691

Media Relations:

Dennis Pope

dennis@upslsoccer.com

upslcommunications@gmail.com

Direct: 951-675-3963