The O’Neal School and Sandhills Futbol Club Announce Soccer Development Partnership
The O’Neal School and Sandhills Futbol Club Announce Soccer Development Partnership
Southern Pines, NC — The O’Neal School and Sandhills Futbol Club (SFC) are proud to announce a new partnership designed to elevate middle school soccer programming through professional coaching, shared resources, and a unified commitment to student‑athlete development.
Under the agreement, Sandhills Futbol Club will serve as the primary soccer development provider for The O’Neal School’s Middle School boys and girls soccer programs. The partnership begins in the 2026 academic year and reflects a shared vision of delivering high‑quality, development‑centered athletic experiences for students.
“This partnership represents an exciting step forward for our Middle School athletics program,” said O’Neal Athletics Director Lance Stucky. “Sandhills FC brings a strong player‑development philosophy, professional expertise, and a values‑driven approach that aligns with our mission as an educational institution.”
Through this collaboration, Sandhills FC will deliver structured, curriculum‑based training during both the fall and spring soccer seasons. Programming will focus on age‑appropriate technical skill development, tactical understanding, and positive team culture, with coaches managing all session planning, preparation, and delivery. Players will also benefit from end‑of‑season feedback and consistent communication between coaches, school administrators, and families.
The agreement also establishes Sandhills FC as a preferred external pathway for O’Neal students seeking additional club‑level soccer development and outlines a long‑term vision for SFC to become the Official Soccer Development Partner of The O’Neal School.
“We are thrilled to partner with The O’Neal School,” said Ankit Nagar, Founder and Director Sandhills Futbol Club. “This collaboration allows us to support student‑athletes in a school environment while reinforcing our commitment to foundations‑first development, safeguarding, and community impact. We see this as a model for how clubs and schools can work together for the benefit of young players.”
As part of the partnership, The O’Neal School will provide field access and institutional support, while both organizations will collaborate on branding, communication, and future program opportunities, including camps, clinics, coach education, and expanded soccer initiatives.
An end‑of‑year review will evaluate program outcomes and explore opportunities to grow the partnership in future years, with the shared goal of providing exceptional soccer development across all levels.
Sandhills Futbol Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth soccer organization serving Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Moore County. SFC is dedicated to holistic player development through high‑quality coaching, safeguarding best practices, and a community‑focused approach to the game.
O’Neal is a part of the Sandhills Athletic Conference (SAC) and is the recipient of 10 Wells Fargo Cups, recognizing the School for having the top athletics program among independent schools. A college preparatory school for pre-kindergarten age 3 through grade 12, The O’Neal School is dedicated to the development of academic excellence, strength of character, and physical well-being of its students. Enrollment applications are being accepted for the 2026-2027 school year. For more information, go to www.ONealSchool.org.
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