OUR STORY

Southern States Soccer was founded in 2015 by former collegiate and professional soccer coach Nigel Boulton who later joined with a group of committed investors eager to bring elite, high-level soccer opportunities to the local area and region.

Nigel Boulton with Carl Reynolds. The two enjoyed 7 successful years together at the collegiate level. Carl was a 2-time All-American and a 4-year starter before going on to coach 3 further years as a graduate assistant including a 2011 run to the NAIA Final Four while at William Carey University.

In 2016 Nigel linked up again with his former All-American player and assistant coach Carl Reynolds who had been coaching in Spain at La Liga club Sporting Gijon and then later at the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.

Along with Paul Roblin an experienced administrator and former youth soccer club President, they together spearheaded this progressive organization. Their belief that local clubs and associations were under serving parents and players by not providing the level of training and development necessary was the catalyst for this now amazing project.

“The objective is to provide local youth the opportunity to pursue the game they love at an elite level.” Announced President Paul Roblin at the 2016 player signing banquet.

Southern States Soccer has adopted the motto ‘Partum In Futurum’ - ‘Creating the Future’.

From their superbly designed base at The Oakes Training Center, Carl directs ‘The Academy’ program bringing together players from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

 

‘The Academy’ program provides practices and games for elite level players and has included overseas training and tour games. Nigel Boulton is a staff coach at ‘The Academy’ along with Carl's sister Jade Reynolds who is director of the swiftly developing girl's program. As well as staff coaches Antonio Marriel., Cruz Rangel and Romar Smith, 'The Academy' often uses top quality, featured guest coaches such as former US National Team goalkeeper Jon Busch.

A state-of-the-art futsal (indoor) training center was also constructed at The Oakes in 2018 to add to the floodlit turf field and grass fields.

As the Director of Player Development Carl says his focus is to bring, ‘.. a truly professional level, Academy experience to every player we sign, with parental trust and honest communication our goal’

As Director of Soccer Operations Nigel Boulton is also responsible for overseeing the group's college placement service.

A Player Development Center (PDC) has also been set up to encourage mid-level players to improve and strive for the elite level, eventually pushing into ‘The Academy’ program if that potential is fully achieved.

2019 saw the beginning of the Little Kickers and Pre-Academy programs for 4-8 year olds.

Jade Reynolds is responsible for the girl's program and played her soccer in England for the famous Arsenal Ladies team before her US collegiate soccer experience at the NCAA D-1 College of Charleston.

Southern States Soccer also assists small groups and organizations.

Jade Reynolds coaches the girl's program at Southern States Soccer.

 

2020 has seen further facility improvements as the club ventures into the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

THE STARS. A newly formed U19 team starts play in September and 2021 brings the minor league team to the Hattiesburg and Pine Belt area. The teams will be known as the Southern States SC Stars.