Public Statement from Premiere Training Academy:

Starting from the beginning:

On April 24, 2025, an email was shared with club families by the then-president of the Revolution F.C. committee announcing his decision to resign after several months of effort to stabilize and improve club operations. That communication outlined work undertaken to strengthen governance, facilities, programming, financial sustainability, and long-term infrastructure, including securing outside funding, developing tournaments and programming with meaningful economic impact, and proposing solutions to improve facility maintenance and scheduling. Despite these efforts, the committee cited ongoing limitations related to authority, financial transparency, and decision-making under City oversight, noting that repeated requests for clarity around budgeting and operational control went unresolved and ultimately prevented responsible execution of long-term plans. 

Two days later, on April 26, 2025, the entire Arkansas Revolution Board of Directors issued a formal memorandum announcing its collective resignation, citing unresolved ethical, governance, and transparency concerns. The memorandum reiterated years of work to improve the player experience, expand programming, and generate community and economic impact, while identifying continued challenges related to financial reporting, facility access, counter-programming conflicts, and stalled communication after proposing the creation of a separate nonprofit entity to ensure clarity and accountability. Concluding it could no longer fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities under those conditions, the board elected to step down in full.

Newly appointed Committee: 

Following the resignation of the prior board, the then Director of Parks and Recreation appointed three individuals to serve as a temporary committee to oversee Arkansas Revolution F.C. and to establish a new board in the coming months. In a public communication to families, the newly appointed committee outlined a series of commitments intended to stabilize the club and provide clarity moving forward. Those commitments included gaining a clear understanding of the City Stars structure and its relationship to Arkansas Revolution, coordinating a transparent process for potential separation from City Stars, communicating upcoming tryout dates, engaging with coaches to confirm alignment with the committee’s direction, establishing a new Arkansas Revolution board, continuing the Development Academy, clarifying field usage and associated fees, and implementing a transparent financial structure. The committee also stated its intent to communicate with City Stars leadership and the Parks and Recreation Director regarding governance and field usage agreements, to add Arkansas Revolution representation to the City Stars board, and to host an open forum for families, coaches, and community members. These commitments were presented as necessary steps toward ensuring a stable plan for the Fall 2025 season and reassuring families that solutions were actively being pursued.

Plans forward: 

We were disappointed to see the committee step down, but we understood their decision given the frustrations and concerns they had outlined above. In the last few months, several of those concerns began to surface publicly, including federal investigations that further underscored the instability surrounding the club’s governance. We had been working with members of the previous committee on programs we believed could make a meaningful difference for both the club and the broader community. These programs were designed to create additional pathways for players to pursue higher levels of competition, provide greater access to high-quality training at a lower cost, and equip players with resources to continue developing their skills outside of structured training environments.

Following the announcement of the committee’s resignation, we made the decision to move forward with launching our own independent club. We submitted all required documentation to the Arkansas Soccer Association and received approval for our own charter. As we began preparing for that launch and shared preliminary messaging publicly, the newly appointed committee reached out to our Director of Soccer to request a meeting. Initially, we declined, as we were prepared to proceed independently. However, after repeated and thoughtful encouragement from our Director of Soccer. He who believed it was important to listen in the interest of minimizing disruption for players and families, so we agreed to meet.

On May 6, we met with one committee member, whom we understood to be representing the entire committee. During that meeting, we discussed our concerns, the rationale behind starting our own club, and the broader challenges facing Revolution F.C. The conversation included the topic of a transition of Revolution F.C. to Premiere Training Academy after approximately one year. This proposal captured our attention, as it presented an opportunity to reduce disruption for players and families while restoring stability and structure. We were aware that trust in the club had been strained, confidence in the newly appointed committee was limited, and multiple players and teams were considering leaving due to concerns about governance, structure, and long-term direction. Before proceeding, we asked whether the entire committee had agreed to the proposed partnership and transition. On May 7, we were informed that all committee members had approved the plan to transition Revolution F.C. to Premiere Training Academy. After carefully considering all aspects of the proposal, we ultimately agreed to move forward in good faith. 

Getting to work: 

The partnership initially started in a positive and productive manner, with weekly meetings focused on items such as tryout structure and coordination, post-tryout evaluation meetings, preseason camp creation and organization, the development of a Skills and Drills program, a technical coaching proposal, a planned friendlies tournament, and broader discussions about the future of the club. These conversations centered on initiatives we believed would provide meaningful advantages for players and families.

Approximately two months into the partnership, during a scheduled meeting, the topic of transitioning Revolution F.C. to Premiere Training Academy was raised. One committee member stated she did not understand the transition. We referenced prior discussions and asked the committee member we had been meeting with if this was the same transition that had been discussed and agreed upon. That committee member then asked the other committee members whether they shared that understanding, and they confirmed that they did. There was conversation around them wanting to know our plan for the future of the club, which include structure of leaderships, additional program available, and plans of development.

Following that meeting, there were meeting canceled. We were then informed that the proposed meeting times and dates no longer worked. We offered multiple alternative dates and times, but were not consistently accepted. We were later told that the committee members were not meeting regularly; however, decisions continued to be made without our inclusion or input. These decisions included appointing a Director of Coaching, canceling the planned friendlies tournament after we had already reached out to multiple clubs, and altering the proposed technical coaching structure. What had been discussed as technical coaches by age group under the direction of our Director of Soccer shifted to assigning assistant coaches to every team that did not already have one, increasing potential costs for families.

We reached out on multiple occasions seeking clarity on how we could continue to support the club and were repeatedly told that no assistance was needed. Over time, it became clear to us that the partnership was no longer centered on what was best for players and families, but rather on was a way for Revolution to save face by leveraging Premiere Training Academy’s established reputation and standing within the soccer community. Our willingness to partner in good faith, motivated by minimizing disruption and serving the broader interests of families was not reciprocated. When previously agreed-upon matters were revisited, we found ourselves excluded from meaningful discussion and decision-making. In hindsight, it became evident that choosing not to proceed independently at that time was a misjudgment, and that our goodwill had been taken for granted.

Working toward one united club: 

We had also been in talks with another club in town about working together to transition them into Premiere Training Academy as well to make one big club where all the talents of North Eastern Arkansas can combine and give us the ability to look at ENCL pathways for the club and keep more players in this area. Having one united club in NorthEast arkansas would allow to have all resources in one place, allowing for the hiring of good leadership in key positions and investing more into our coaching staff, along with other advantage for players and families. 

Road map for the future Meeting: 

On November 19, we held a meeting with the Revolution Committee, the then Director of Parks and Recreation, and the then Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation. The purpose of this meeting was to present the agreed-upon framework for transitioning Revolution F.C. to Premiere Training Academy. During this meeting, we presented a comprehensive plan covering the following areas:

• Soccer leadership structure, including defined roles for a Director of Coaching, Technical Director, administrative leadership, and additional positions intended to better equip the club
  
  
• Curriculum and club philosophy, designed to establish a consistent foundation and structure that could be followed from the top of the organization to the bottom
  
  
• Training opportunities, including camps, clinics, and position-specific training to support player development
  
  
• Player advancement pathways, providing players with the opportunity and access to compete at the highest levels
  
  
• Packaged programs, combining multiple offerings at discounted rates to improve accessibility for families
  
  
• Economic growth, through tournaments, leagues, and events hosted in Jonesboro
  
  
• Recognition, including annual acknowledgment of the commitment made by players, parents, coaches, and volunteers
  
  
• Community outreach, focused on giving back through service projects, park cleanups, community events, and similar initiatives
  
  
• Expansion and milestones, including pathways toward pre-ECNL, ECNL-RL, or ECNL-NL participation and clearly defined growth benchmarks for teams and player numbers
  
  
• Technology integration, such as game cameras, digital training platforms, and player development tools to improve on-field outcomes
  
  
• Communication, including monthly or bi-monthly newsletters and increased opportunities for parent meetings and engagement
  
  

After presenting these topics, we asked whether there was any additional information needed to move forward with the transition from Revolution F.C. to Premiere Training Academy. One committee member indicated that financial information was needed, citing concerns about staffing expenses incurred during the fall season, noting that those figures did not include field usage costs. During that discussion, the then Director of Parks and Recreation stated that while he believed the plan looked strong, he preferred to keep Revolution F.C. where it is (under his control) and have Premiere Training Academy involved only in a training capacity. We explained our concerns with that approach and reiterated our belief that a competitive soccer club is best operated by a business with clear leadership, accountability, and operational structure rather than by a board model. 

We were reluctant to give our Financial projects to Revolution F.C. as we didn’t want to give them more insight into our business plan that they already had. We felt like they weren’t going to honor our deal especially after finding out they has been reach out to our staff about positions within the club. 

Dissolution:

Articles were released about the business dissolution of Jonesboro City Stars Booster Club as of the 5th of December, this is the umbrella that Revolution F. C. is under. This came after the federal investigation into parks and recreation director.
New articles
KAIT Article
NEA reports Facebook

Nea Reports

Ending of the Partnership:

We expressed our concerns regarding the request for financial information but stated that if providing those materials was truly the final requirement to move forward with the agreed-upon transition and if there was clear intent to honor that transition, we were willing to do so. After multiple follow-up attempts and more than five days without any response, no further communication or clarification was provided.

Given the continued lack of communication, exclusion from decisions that materially altered the direction of the club, absence of collaboration on key club issues, uncertainty surrounding Revolution F.C.’s ability to continue operating under a dissolved entity per information given in said articles, failure to provide clear intent regarding whether the original leadership transition agreement would be honored, active recruitment of Premiere Training Academy staff without our knowledge, and practices by the committee that appeared to disproportionately benefit select players, we concluded that remaining aligned with Revolution F.C. was no longer appropriate. As a result, we made the decision to formally separate from Revolution F.C. and officially end the partnership.

Looking Ahead: 

Looking ahead, Premiere Training Academy will continue moving forward with the formation of our independent competitive soccer club for the upcoming fall season. Our mission is to provide high-quality, accessible soccer opportunities for all players in Northeast Arkansas who desire to compete and develop, regardless of background or starting point. This vision is rooted in the same principles we presented throughout our proposed transition plan: clear and accountable leadership, a unified curriculum and club philosophy, intentional player-development pathways, and a commitment to long-term stability. 

We will offer structured training environments, camps, clinics, and position-specific development, integrate modern training and performance technology, and create opportunities for advancement to higher levels of competition. In addition, we remain committed to community engagement, recognition of the dedication shown by players, families, coaches, and volunteers, and hosting events that contribute positively to both the soccer community and the region as a whole. 

Our focus remains centered on the player experience and building a sustainable club model that serves families and the broader Northeast Arkansas soccer community for years to come. 

We will be announcing our 2026 calendar soon, which will include tryouts, camps, clinics, academy training programs, leagues, and additional development opportunities.

We understand that change brings questions, and we want to ensure families have a clear way to get answers. If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact us at coach@premieretrainingacademy.com We will continue to share updates as details are finalized.

Thank you for your trust and continued support as we take this next step. We remain committed to serving players and families across Northeast Arkansas and are confident this path allows us to do so with clarity and purpose.

Premiere Training Academy's Public Relationship Team