Become a Lionsbridge FC Host Family
WHAT IS LIONSBRIDGE FC?
Lionsbridge FC competes in USL League Two, the top amateur men’s soccer league in North America. We play home games at TowneBank Stadium at CNU from May through July. Although many of the players are from Hampton Roads, some are from out of the area and will need a place to stay while playing on our team.
WHO ARE THE PLAYERS?
The players who need host families are young men between 18-23 years old and many of them are currently college soccer players somewhere in the United States who are on summer break. They will play for Lionsbridge FC to develop their skills and enhance their chances at a professional soccer career.
Lionsbridge FC players have a great chance to become pro soccer players within 1-2 years (14 of our former players are now pros!). They have worked very hard to get to this point. They are focused, determined and motivated.
In 2023, we hosted 20 players from Italy, England, France, Weales, New Zealand, Canada and the UAE, plus Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Ohio and Oregon.
In 2022, we hosted 18 players from Austria, England and France plus Alabama, Arizona, California and Texas.
In 2021, we hosted 17 players from Denmark, England, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland and Spain plus Alabama, Georgia and Washington.
In 2020, we hosted 12 players from Brazil, England, France, Germany, plus California, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
In 2019, we hosted 17 players who hailed from Brazil, England, France, Germany and New Zealand, plus Arizona, California, New Jersey, Ohio and Washington.
In 2018, we hosted 9 players from Belgium, England, Germany, Haiti, Japan, Sweden, plus North Carolina.
WHEN WILL THEY ARRIVE AND LEAVE?
The 2024 Lionsbridge FC season begins in early May and runs through late July. The national championship game is the first Saturday in August. The players typically arrive between May 1 and May 15 in preparation for their busy season (approximately 18 games and 20 practices in just 11 weeks). It is possible players may depart before the end of the season for one reason or another – injury, soccer reasons, return to campus for classes, college team requirements, signing a professional contract, etc.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PROVIDE THE PLAYERS?
WHAT DON’T I NEED TO PROVIDE?
NEXT STEPS:
Lionsbridge FC competes in USL League Two, the top amateur men’s soccer league in North America. We play home games at TowneBank Stadium at CNU from May through July. Although many of the players are from Hampton Roads, some are from out of the area and will need a place to stay while playing on our team.
WHO ARE THE PLAYERS?
The players who need host families are young men between 18-23 years old and many of them are currently college soccer players somewhere in the United States who are on summer break. They will play for Lionsbridge FC to develop their skills and enhance their chances at a professional soccer career.
Lionsbridge FC players have a great chance to become pro soccer players within 1-2 years (14 of our former players are now pros!). They have worked very hard to get to this point. They are focused, determined and motivated.
In 2023, we hosted 20 players from Italy, England, France, Weales, New Zealand, Canada and the UAE, plus Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Ohio and Oregon.
In 2022, we hosted 18 players from Austria, England and France plus Alabama, Arizona, California and Texas.
In 2021, we hosted 17 players from Denmark, England, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland and Spain plus Alabama, Georgia and Washington.
In 2020, we hosted 12 players from Brazil, England, France, Germany, plus California, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
In 2019, we hosted 17 players who hailed from Brazil, England, France, Germany and New Zealand, plus Arizona, California, New Jersey, Ohio and Washington.
In 2018, we hosted 9 players from Belgium, England, Germany, Haiti, Japan, Sweden, plus North Carolina.
WHEN WILL THEY ARRIVE AND LEAVE?
The 2024 Lionsbridge FC season begins in early May and runs through late July. The national championship game is the first Saturday in August. The players typically arrive between May 1 and May 15 in preparation for their busy season (approximately 18 games and 20 practices in just 11 weeks). It is possible players may depart before the end of the season for one reason or another – injury, soccer reasons, return to campus for classes, college team requirements, signing a professional contract, etc.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PROVIDE THE PLAYERS?
- Their own private air-conditioned bedroom (window unit is ok), towels, linens, access to laundry (they do their own), bathroom (can be shared), space in the fridge and a place to come home to every day
- A spare key
- Treat them like an extension of your family. For example, if you are having a family activity, it would be appropriate to invite them to be part of it (e.g. family dinner at home or restaurant).
- Respect for the player’s privacy
- Your reasonable and clearly defined house rules
- An open home and open hearts
WHAT DON’T I NEED TO PROVIDE?
- Transportation. Players are responsible for their own - either via carpool with teammates, or in some cases, players may have their own car.
- Food/meals. The team will provide post-game meals (home and away) and pre-game meals (away). It is not required that you cook or provide food for the players, although you should provide them access to your kitchen and fridge for them to do their own cooking and/or food storage.
- Money. It is not appropriate to provide the players with cash. Doing so may jeopardize the player’s amateur status with their colleges.
- “Housekeeping.” It is expected that players will clean up after themselves, do their own laundry and always maintain respect for family’s home and property.
NEXT STEPS:
- If you're interested, please complete the below questionnaire so that we can learn more about your individual situation.
- If you're selected, we will schedule a follow up conversation and in-home visit with your family.
