Clearwater Chargers expand to Ranch sports complex

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch announced today that the Clearwater Chargers would be an anchor tenant at the new sports complex scheduled to open next month in Lakewood Ranch.

The soccer organization is expanding and will host tournaments, offer a daily soccer program, a recreational and competitive league and the U.S. Soccer Development Academy at the new Lakewood Ranch facility.

“We could not be more pleased about an organization of this caliber choosing to be a tenant at the sports complex,” SMR President and CEO Rex Jensen said. “This is just the beginning of an exciting initiative that will change the face of this region forever and create a sports mecca that will attract countless numbers of visitors and inject millions of dollars into our local economy for years to come.”

Established in 1975, the Chargers club currently uses four facilities in Clearwater with nine different fields. Access to a large number of fields in Lakewood Ranch was a deciding factor in the organization’s decision.

"The fields here are unlike any others in the state,” said Robert O’Nan, president of the Clearwater Chargers.  “In addition, the central location — close to hotels, restaurants and shops — coupled with the impeccable maintenance and condition of the 22 available fields, makes this the perfect place for us to expand and grow.”   

“This is huge,” said Tim Mulqueen, Lakewood Ranch’s director of sports. “It will give children in our area access to top coaching and training. It offers kids an opportunity to play at every level—recreational, competitive and U.S. Development Academy Soccer — under the direction of some of the best coaches in youth soccer.”            

The Chargers will host their first tournament in Lakewood — the Florida Youth Soccer Association tournament — April 30.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].