Official Website of Lakeland United FC #GoSwans
WE ARE LAKELAND UNITED FC
Lakeland United FC was officially born in 2020 with a mission to operate as an international bridge program for student-athletes from around the world. Our goal is to facilitate the entry of these athletes into the college soccer system in the United States.
We offer them the opportunity to play with us for a year in Lakeland, Florida, while working on transfer deals to universities across the country and continue their athletic and academic careers.
Our location is fantastic and a dream for many international student-athletes. The city of Lakeland is located between Tampa and Orlando, in the Central Florida metropolitan area. Our apartments are located 30 miles (about 40 minutes) from all the Disney parks.
39 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
In just over two years of our program running, we already have had student-athletes from 39 different countries (Andorra, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Germany, Haiti, Honduras, India, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, USA, Venezuela) who identified the American market as the right one to continue their careers in a professional environment, focused on both sports and academic development.
Above all, our main purpose and mission as a company is to focus on the human and character development of young student-athletes around the world who, together with their families, entrust their future in our hands.
THIS IS WHAT WE OFFER
HOUSING
SOCCER
ACADEMIC RESOURCES
PLACEMENT IN COLLEGES
LOCATION
In the heart of Florida, right in between Orlando and Tampa.
Belongs to the 7th fastest growing County in the entire country.
UPSL AND GAMES
Our club competes at the UPSL, a semi-professional league that is considered the 4th division in the soccer pyramid in the United States. The league has a year-round calendar consisting of a fall season and a spring-summer season, with conference games followed by a national tournament.
In addition to UPSL games, we play friendlies against colleges from Florida in the NCAA D1, NCAA D2, NAIA, and NJCAA leagues. In this 2022/2023 season, we will face a total of 10 universities from different leagues and competitive levels, in games where the main objective of the opposing coaches is to recruit our student-athletes to their universities. These colleges included Saint Leo University, Florida Southern College, Florida Institute of Technology, Eckerd College, Southeastern University, Saint Thomas University, Florida Memorial University, Warner University, Florida College, Eastern Florida College and others.
HOUSING & FOOD
Our program provides an excellent room and board system to our international student-athletes.
We accommodate 7 players per 3 bedroom apartment already fully furnished. Meals are provided by us weekly, as well as a full cleaning service once a month. Transportation to school, training and games are also included.
The complex has a gym, swimming pool, games room, barbecue area, among other leisure areas. It is located inside an open mall with bars, restaurants, hotels, shops and cinema in the most upscale area of South Lakeland.
Here is the Canary Residence presentation
TRAINING INFRASTRUCTURE
We currently train at Polk State College - Lakeland Campus, the home of the Eagles. The Women's Soccer program competes at the NJCAA DI level. We host our home matches at Bryant Stadium in downtown Lakeland. Our weight room program is led by our Strength & Conditioning department at the gym located in the residential program apartment complex.
Lakeland United FC calls Bryant Stadium home, where we play amidst Thomas W. Bryant's legacy. Named in his honor, this historic venue offers modern amenities and inclusive features, celebrating Bryant's service and contributions to Florida.
HOME
Furnished apartment
Electricity, Water and Sewage/Waste
WiFi Internet
Gym, swimming pool and barbecue
FOOD
Weekly shopping for the apartments with breakfast, lunch and dinner items.
Student-athletes are responsible for preparing and cooking meals respecting and collaborating with their roommates.
UNIFORMS
2 - Training Shirts
2 - Training Shorts
1 - Travel Polo
1 - Travel Jacket
1 - Travel Shorts
TRANSPORT
Regular transport for training, classes and games.
