Building For The Future

Community & Facility

A dedicated home for Saint Johns Soccer Academy in St. Johns County, FL — training fields, a professional pathway, and a hub for the local soccer community.

Saint Johns Soccer Academy (SJSA) is launching an initiative to develop a dedicated soccer facility in St. Johns County, Florida. This facility will support the academy’s mission to train high-potential players, provide a structured pathway to collegiate and professional soccer, and foster a thriving soccer community. Currently, the academy operates at Julington Creek Plantation Park but faces enrollment limitations due to the lack of a dedicated facility.

The new facility will feature a 7v7 soccer field, locker rooms, storage, administrative offices, a lunchroom, spectator seating, parking, landscaping, an audio-visual setup for game broadcasting, a small broadcasting room, and a compact room designated for food and beverage service with a serving window.

What We're Building

Facility Components

7v7 Soccer Field

Natural grass, excavation, grading, irrigation, goalposts, and fencing.

Indoor Facilities

Locker rooms, storage, administrative offices, a lunchroom, restrooms, and a broadcasting room.

Spectator Seating & Parking

Covered bleacher seating for 100–150 fans, lighting, a 50-space parking lot, and landscaping.

Broadcasting & Concessions

Cameras, microphones, streaming software, and scoreboard integration, plus a compact food & beverage service space.

Estimated Investment

Total Project Cost Estimate

Early first-draft estimates (February 2025) — subject to change as designs, land, and bids are finalized.

Component	Low Estimate	High Estimate
Land Acquisition (1.5 acres)	$100,000	$250,000
Soccer Field (Natural Grass)	$75,000	$100,000
Indoor Facilities (incl. Broadcasting Room)	$450,000	$750,000
Seating & Lighting	$60,000	$120,000
Parking & Landscaping	$75,000	$130,000
Compact Food & Beverage Service Space	$15,000	$25,000
Audio-Visual Equipment for Broadcasting	$80,000	$120,000
Additional Costs (permits, insurance, marketing, contingency)	$150,000	$250,000
Total Estimate	$1,005,000	$1,745,000

Why It Matters

Impact On Player Development

This facility will have a profound impact on the development of young soccer players in St. Johns County and beyond.

Advanced Training Programs

Structured sessions built to develop technical, tactical, and cognitive skills.

A Professional Pathway

A direct transition into a structured league offering real opportunities, salaries, and exposure.

High-Level Coaching

Coaches following a proven methodology aligned with professional development standards.

College & Pro Opportunities

Organized competitions, scouting events, and networking with college recruiters and pro teams.

Community Support

Camps, clinics, and programs that let local youth engage in structured sports training.

Sportsmanship & Leadership

Discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills that carry on and off the field.

A Professional Pathway

The St. Johns Soccer League

To develop soccer in St. Johns County, we will establish the St. Johns Soccer League (SJSL) — an independent professional soccer competition where players from all backgrounds can join and compete, investors and soccer enthusiasts can form and back teams, regular league games are hosted at our facility, players are compensated and can trade/transfer between teams, and live streaming brings the games to fans everywhere.

The goal of the St. Johns Soccer League is to create a self-sustaining soccer ecosystem that allows players, coaches, and local investors to participate in growing soccer professionally in St. Johns County — while providing youth structured training, local employment for coaches and staff, and a genuine home-team culture for the community to rally around.

How We'll Get There

Funding & Fundraising Strategy

To reach the project's funding goal of roughly $2,050,000, we're pursuing a multi-source approach.

Sponsorships & Naming Rights

$750K – $1M

Naming rights for the facility, locker rooms, and spectator seating; jersey sponsorships; partnerships with sports brands, banks, and local businesses.

Grants & Government Funding

$500K – $750K

US Soccer Foundation grants, local sports development grants, and funding secured through county and state officials.

Community Crowdfunding & Membership

$250K – $500K

GoFundMe / Kickstarter campaigns and annual academy memberships with exclusive perks.

Tournaments & Fundraising Events

$100K – $250K

Youth soccer tournaments and matches, plus gala dinners and fundraising events.

Roadmap

Next Steps & Timeline

Phase 1

Planning & Permits (0–12 Months)

Finalize facility designs and land acquisition. Submit permit applications and secure initial funding.

Phase 2

Fundraising & Sponsorship (12–20 Months)

Launch sponsorship outreach and crowdfunding campaigns. Secure corporate/community partnerships and apply for grants.

Phase 3

Construction & Development (20–32 Months)

Begin construction on the soccer field and infrastructure. Develop indoor facilities, including locker rooms and the broadcasting room.

Phase 4

Completion & Grand Opening (32–36 Months)

Install audio-visual/broadcasting equipment. Finalize landscaping, seating, and community programs. Host an inaugural event for the community.

Support This Project

Donate Or Sponsor

Every contribution — big or small — helps bring this facility to life for St. Johns County families.

Saint Johns Soccer Academy is a private youth sports organization and is not currently a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Contributions to this project are gifts of support for the facility, not tax-deductible charitable donations, and SJSA cannot issue a tax-deduction receipt for them. Please consult your own tax advisor about how a contribution may (or may not) apply to your taxes. Businesses interested in a more formal partnership with recognition and benefits should see our Sponsorship page.

Contribute To The Project Become A Sponsor