09/06/2026
Hello Millville Soccer Association Family,
I feel that it is time to publicly make this post.
After much thought, I’ve made the difficult decision to step down as President of the Millville Soccer Association. I have been with MSA for over 25 years, as a Parent, Coach, Board Member and for more than half that time, as Vice-President and/or President. My two daughters "aged-out" 17 & 11 years ago, but I remained dedicated to keeping the club moving forward for each and every one of the kids in the organization.
Serving this community has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together.
For me personally, I coached two amazing girls travel teams: Millville Speed & Millville Cobras (later Millville Union) and I can't forget the Recreation teams that came before each of those travel teams. Watching these kids learn and grow and become great players was priceless. And to witness them become strong adults and build their careers and grow their families…is just unreal. Each one of them were like my own children.
Some of the events and things that we have accomplished during my time with the club:
- We expanded the Recreation Age Groups to as young as U5 (4-year-olds) to U15. And now expanding to the High School ages. It used to be U6 to U13.
- Created an updated website with online registration and integrated with New Jersey Youth Soccer.
- Created an online, social media presence on Facebook.
- Simplified the Seasonal Fundraisers
- Expanded the Recreational Referee program
- Part of the committee that helped move the club and facilitate a new location and expand our facility from 15 acres to nearly 50 acres with a clubhouse that is nearly four times the size of our previous one.
- Completed an unfinished section of the facility that provided an additional four full sized soccer fields. That included grading, seeding and irrigation.
- Added an AED for the new clubhouse.
- Streamlined the club Recreation sponsorship process.
- Created a Hardship Scholarship.
- Expanded the Concession Stand menu and maintained it since the facility opened in 2011.
- Started a 3v3 “Millville Moonlight Madness” tournament.
- Continued the Millville Soccer Association High School Senior Scholarship.
- Created a Youth Partnership with the Philadelphia Union.
- Provided Philadelphia Union tickets at reduced prices to allow MSA players and their families an opportunity to attend a professional soccer match.
- Yearly “MSA Night at Philadelphia Union” group night at a MLS game with on-field opportunities.
- Initiated "Friday Night Lights" for the Recreation Division. It was the first time regularly scheduled games were played "under the lights" each season.
- Started Family Fun Day to commemorate the last day of the Spring Recreation Season.
- Created a partnership with the Knights of Columbus and hosts their year Soccer Challenge Shoot Out competitions each year.
- Created our annual Designer Bag Bingo for the past three years.
- Coordinated our response to Covid-19 and carried out our Return-To-Play procedures.
- Hosted an annual Trunk or Treat at the facility each year until Covid.
- Brought back our favorite Chicken Barbeque Fundraiser.
Thank you to every player, parent, coach, volunteer, and board member who helped make our programs stronger and our community tighter. We couldn’t have done any of them without you.
I’m grateful for every moment — the wins, the challenges, the friendships, and the shared passion for Millville Soccer. Thank you all for trusting me and for being part of something special. I’ll continue supporting the transition however I can, and I’m excited to see the next season kick off next week. If anyone needs anything, feel free to reach out!
I wish all the players and families well. Keep having fun, keep learning and keep playing!
Keep chasing the goal until the final whistle,
Newell Branin, Jr.
