The WNY Flash Soccer Academy Announces Flash Syracuse
July 22, 2025 – The Western New York Flash Academy is thrilled to announce Flash Syracuse is joining the WNY Flash’s growing portfolio of teams, players, coaches, and staff.
Flash Syracuse will provide player opportunities in the Syracuse market for the upcoming 25/26 club season.
WNY Flash Executive Director of Coaching Eric Dade welcomes the addition of players and their families in the Syracuse area with open arms.
“As the WNY Flash Academy has continued to find success for our players on and off the field, it makes sense to expand into new areas and find the top players to join us,” says Dade.
“Bringing in Syracuse adds the possibility of many talented, hard-working players to the Flash Family. We really admire the Syracuse player base, and we embrace the challenge to continue to make those players better every single day with the opportunities we believe Flash Syracuse will provide.”
The WNY Flash Academy has been in existence in the Buffalo area since 2012. In addition to the main operation in Elma, NY, the club also operates teams in Buffalo’s Northtowns, Rochester, and Binghamton. The academy has programming for boys and girls ages 4-18, offering an array of platforms including the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League), ECNL-RL, Elite 64, DPL, Elite Academy, USYS State Cup, local premier teams, and house leagues. Welcoming in the Syracuse region players will see the WNY Flash Academy’s player base grow to an excess of 2,000 across all regions.
“We want to provide the same opportunities for Syracuse players as we have done in Buffalo, Rochester, and Binghamton over the years,” adds Flash VP Aaran Lines.
“The Syracuse community has established an incredible foundation for players, and we aim to continue that hard work and dedication to cultivating those players as athletes and as individuals to their highest potential. In addition to developing great soccer players and providing opportunities for college placement, we really want to help develop young men and women into leaders who can make a difference in the world after leaving our Flash Family.”
Flash Syracuse will be providing opportunities for Onondaga County players, as well as all surrounding counties in New York, as well as Pennsylvania. Training sessions are held at local indoor sports facilities in the Winter months as well as local outdoor fields during the Fall and Spring in addition to competition and tournament play. For those interested in learning more about the WNY Flash Academy and all it has to offer, check out our website at wnyflash.com. Flash Syracuse ID sessions will be held July 28th and 30th, with additional dates and times to be announced soon.
Additional questions about Flash Syracuse can be directed to Jen Blackman (JBlackman@WNYFlashSoccer.com), Flash Binghamton Operations Manager.
Sahlen’s Sports Park is Proud to Announce the Launch of WNY Flash Flag Football
The Program Brings a 2nd Sport Under the Flash Umbrella, Bringing on Keith Wing as Flag Football Director to Lead the Program
June 23, 2025 – Sahlen’s Sports Park is proud to announce the launch of WNY Flash Flag Football in Buffalo.
The new addition will make the Flash the home of the premier flag football program in the area, in addition to its successful soccer academy that has operations in Buffalo, Rochester, and Binghamton.
“We are extremely excited to expand our sports programming here at the Flash with flag football,” says Vice President Aaran Lines.
“Providing a home to the hundreds of male and female youth flag football players while providing quality instruction, development, and competition is the next step. It is a growing sport with huge potential, and with our highly-rated facilities and staff, we know the sky is the limit for this program.”
The launch of Flash Flag was made possible thanks in part to the acquisition of the Buffalo Narwhals Flag Football Club. Narwhals owner and head coach Keith Wing will now become the first Director of Flash Flag Football.
“Flash Flag Football is an incredible opportunity for the athletes in our area,” says Director Keith Wing.
“We now have one of the most prestigious athletic clubs in our area being paired with one of the world’s fastest growing sports!“
Sahlen’s Sports Park General Manager Chuck Lawless echoed the excitement from new football director Wing.
“With the years of success that the WNY Flash Soccer Academy has had in terms of leadership, player development, and playing at the best indoor facility at Sahlen’s Sports Park and the best outdoor facility at Flash Fields, Flash Flag Football has the structure to be successful out of the gate,” added Lawless.
“We believe that our structure provides that extra something that no other club can compete with.”
Flash Flag is opening tryouts for next season effective today, with teams being formed for boys and girls born between 2008 and 2018. A typical season will run from January through July, with training sessions once per week and several tournaments throughout the season. Tryouts will begin in late July at Flash Fields in Elma, NY.
The lighter practice schedule will even allow for current Flash soccer players to take part in the flag football program.
For those interested in learning more about Flash Flag Football and those who would like to register for tryouts, check out our website at wnyflash.com/flagfootball.
The WNY Flash Soccer Academy Announces New Director of Administration and Operations
Pamela Whitcomb Brings Years of Soccer Operations Experience to the Flash Family
February 17, 2025 – The Western New York Flash Soccer Academy is proud to announce Pamela Whitcomb as the new Flash Director of Administration and Operations.
Pam is a familiar face in New York’s soccer community, having served as Operations Manager at New York State West Youth Soccer Association since 2020. In that role, she helped grow and support the organization’s 48,000 players, clubs, leagues, referees, coaches, and parents. She was instrumental in growing several different programs and tournaments during her time with NYSWYSA.
With the Flash, Pam will assume club administration responsibilities, and be the direct point of contact for coaches, managers, and current and prospective families. Operationally, the club sees Pamela’s position as an important new piece to bring our Buffalo, Rochester, and Binghamton regions closer together with our already excellent staff.
“We are thrilled to have Pamela as part of our Flash Family,” says Flash Vice President Aaran Lines.
“Not only does she bring extensive experience in the youth soccer world working for New York State West, but she is incredibly hard working. We could see immediately Pamela is passionate about the sport, and improving the game for the next generation,” added Lines.
Pam says it was that passion for the sport that took her from being a soccer mom, to a volunteer board member at her family’s local club, before eventually turning the game into her career.
“I am very excited to join the WNY Flash Academy,” says Whitcomb.
“As the premier soccer organization within Western New York, this is an incredible opportunity to bring my management background to the next level. I look forward to collaborating with the organization and working to contribute to their continued success.”
Pam will start in her new position with the Flash in early March. Please join us in welcoming her to the Flash Family, and be sure to say hello when you see her around!
For those interested in learning more about the WNY Flash Academy and all it has to offer, check out our website at wnyflash.com.
WESTERN NEW YORK FLASH ACADEMY ANNOUNCES MERGER WITH BC UNITED PREMIER
CLUB TO OPERATE AS FLASH BINGHAMTON STARTING IN 2024-2025 SEASON
March 15, 2024 – The Western New York Flash Academy and BC United Premier are thrilled to announce a merger between the two clubs that will bring the Binghamton area club into the WNY Flash’s growing portfolio of teams, players, coaches, and staff.
All current BC United Premier teams will begin playing as Flash Binghamton this summer, after finishing out their current seasons as BC United.
“The goal of BC United Premier is simply to bring the area’s best players together, provide excellent coaching, first-class facilities, and seek the best appropriate competition to compete and showcase our talents,” says Paul Marco, BC United’s Director of Coaching.
“As we have always done, we are driven by creating the best environment and pathway for our players. This is simply the next step in that mission. BC United Premier’s 2024-2025 seasonal transition into Flash Binghamton will give us everything we currently have and more.”
WNY Flash Executive Director of Coaching Eric Dade welcomes the addition of players and their families in the Binghamton area with open arms.
“As the WNY Flash Academy has continued to find success for our players on and off the field, it makes sense to expand into new areas and find the top players to join us. Bringing in Binghamton adds hundreds of talented, hard-working players to the Flash Family. We really admire what Paul and his coaches have built over the years in Binghamton, and we embrace the challenge to continue to make those players better every single day.”
The WNY Flash Academy has been in existence in the Buffalo area since 2012. In addition to the main operation in Elma, NY, the club also operates teams in Buffalo’s northtowns, Rochester, and Erie, PA. The academy has programming for boys and girls ages 4-18, offering an array of platforms including the ECNL (Elite Clubs National league), ECNL-RL, Elite 64, USYS State Cup, local premier teams, and all levels of youth soccer programming.
“We want to provide the same opportunities for Binghamton players as we have done in Buffalo and Rochester over the years,” adds Flash VP Aaran Lines.
“BC United has established an incredible framework for its players, and we aim to continue that hard work and dedication to growing those players as athletes and as individuals. In addition to developing great soccer players and providing opportunities for college placement, we really want to help develop young men and women into leaders who can make a difference in the world after leaving our Flash Family.”
BC United Premier was established in 2017 by Paul Marco and other coaches aiming to create a dynamic program that brings together the area’s best players, and provides them with excellent coaching and first-class facilities.
Based in Endicott, BC United features players from 14 counties in New York and Pennsylvania. In addition to Binghamton, players also come from areas like Oneonta, Ithaca, Elmira, and Scranton, PA. Training sessions are held at Binghamton University Bearcats Stadium and practice turf, as well as the BC United Soccer Complex and 434 Sportsplex.
More than 400 players between the ages of 6 and 18 were part of BC United’s 25 teams in the 2023-2024 season. Welcoming in those players will see the WNY Flash Academy’s player base grow to nearly 2,000 across all regions.
For those interested in learning more about the WNY Flash Academy and all it has to offer, check out our website at wnyflash.com. Flash Binghamton tryouts will be held in May and June, with dates and times to be announced soon.
WNY Flash Academy Appoints Brittany Heist as Girls ECNL Director
WNY Flash Academy Executive Director, Eric Dade announced that Brittany Heist has been named the clubs new ECNL Girls Director.
“Brittany Heist is the perfect candidate to lead our Girls ECNL program into its next chapter of success, she’s a proven winner and natural leader. I am super excited for her to take our Girls ECNL program under her guidance,” said Dade.
Brittany Heist has been with the WNY Flash Academy since 2013, being named the clubs Girls Youth Director in the Summer of 2020. Within those 10 years, she’s created a player-centric coaching style that has been proudly emulated by coaches across the club & Western New York. Her commitment to the game goes far beyond the academy, too, serving as the head coach of the varsity girls soccer team at St. Mary’s High School for the last seven seasons. Under her leadership, the Lancers have soared to incredible heights, capturing three Monsignor Martin regular-season championships as well as two Monsignor Martin A-League Championships in 2019 & 2021 and a NYS Catholic State Finalists achievement in 2021. She additionally earned back-to-back ‘Coach of the Year’ honors in 2018 and 2019.
“I am excited to step into the ECNL Director role at the WNY Flash Academy. Being around the academy since its inception, I have seen first hand the success, growth, and continued development in the WNY region and am looking forward to continuing to build upon what has been established here.“
During her time with the club, Heist has experienced local & regional success. She led five different Flash age groups to National Division Thruway League Champions, as well as winning two GLA Championships & leading five teams to their respective Final 4 Weekends. Additionally, in the 2021-2022 season, she led her 2010 Pre-ECNL team to a State Cup Championship & the Regional semi-final, all while continuing to aid Pre-ECNL growth & development at the club with home and away fixtures & club programming.
“Providing opportunities to young, talented coaches is important to us at the Flash, and I couldn’t be happier to see Brittany take on the role of ECNL Girls Director. Since the inception of the Academy, I’ve watched Brittany grow not only as a coach, but as a mentor to so many players that have come through our club. Her impact has been immeasurable with the Flash & the WNY community. I’m excited to see where she takes the program in the coming years,” said former Girls ECNL Director, Aaran Lines.
A proven winner, Heist enjoyed unprecedented success at Boston University (2007-11). During her tenure as a Terrier, the program would capture five regular-season and conference championships, appearing in the NCAA Tournament each of those seasons. A two-time All-America East League First Team selection, she would also earn All-Conference Midfielder of the Year and NSCAA All-Region First Team honors. A leader on and off the field, Heist received the Aldo “Buff” Donelli Leadership Award in 2012. Following her collegiate playing career, she went on to serve as a captain on the WNY Flash UWS Semi-Professional team in 2017.
In addition to holding a USSF National “C” License and a United Soccer Coaches 7v7/9v9 Diploma, Heist has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Physical Education and Coaching from Boston University.
WNY Flash Academy x Erie Admirals & MSA
WNY Flash Academy Center Of Excellence
We are incredibly excited to announce the start of the WNY Flash Center of Excellence! This supplemental training program is designed to create technically well-rounded & creative soccer players in the U8 through U14 age groups (Birth years of 2014 – 2008).
Each individually-based training session offers attendees drills including, but not limited to, ball manipulation, 1v1 moves and techniques, both offensive and defensive, speed and movement on and off the ball, and agility. This group training is limited in the number of players to ensure as much individual attention from the coaching staff as possible.
Players can sign up for one, two, or three of the seven (7) week sessions starting in November of 2021.
Come join us for this exciting opportunity to challenge your Flash player!