Central Florida Crusaders name Nigel Orme as Team President

ORLANDO, FL - The Central Florida Crusaders of the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) have named Nigel Orme as their new Team President for the 2024 season. Nigel will now oversee all day-to-day operations of the team, reporting to the Crusaders Board of Directors. 

Orme’s career began as a commercial pilot before he moved into aviation management. His extensive background also includes several CEO and Managing Director roles before he founded StratStep Group, focused on aviation, technology and logistics, in 2019. 

Nigel joined the ownership group earlier this season and was selected this month to run the Crusaders front office, after expressing interest in taking a leadership role in team operations. 

“I am delighted and very proud to step into this role as we continue to see expansion and growth in the NISL,” says Orme. “The Central Florida Crusaders are a dynamic and exciting team filled with talent which has shown brightly this season and culminated with the men’s team winning the league championship and the women’s team finishing as the runner-up. I look forward to working with head coach, Tom Traxler, and the board to secure the future of this fantastic Crusaders organization.” 

Managing partner, Andrew Haines, shared, “Speaking on behalf of the Crusaders full ownership group, we are thrilled to see Nigel step forward into this position. Having internal knowledge of operations and previously established relationships with personnel, he can hit the ground running.” 

As one of two expansion teams in the NISL, the Crusaders men’s team completed their inaugural 2023 campaign with a 13-2 record and the title of champions.  The Crusaders women’s team had an outstanding season also finishing 2nd place in the NISL league with an 8-7 record. 

Nigel has assumed the Team President role with immediate effect. 

ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA CRUSADERS: 

The Central Florida Crusades were formally announced in the summer of 2022 as one of two National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) expansion teams. The Crusaders operate both a women's and men’s professional indoor soccer teams. In their inaugural 2023 season, the men finished as NISL Champions and posted the highest win percentage in league history (13-2 record). The women’s team was the division’s runner-up. Their home turf is in Additional Financial Arena, on the campus of UCF. For more information visit www.cflcrusaders.com. 

ABOUT NATIONAL INDOOR SOCCER LEAGUE (NISL): The National Indoor Soccer League was founded in January 2021 by a group of seasoned sports team/league owners with over 50 years of ownership experience. The league features both a Men's & Women's Division, competing in double header game days over a 20-game regular season that takes place between the months of January and April. Current teams include Central FL Crusaders (Orlando), Columbus Rapids (Georgia), Fayetteville Fury, Memphis Americans, Rome Gladiators (Georgia), and Tampa Bay Strikers. The NISL is committed to promoting and supporting our member teams, and to providing an avenue for players, coaches, and front office staff to develop their skills and gain exposure for opportunities at higher levels, all while delivering high-quality, affordable entertainment in the communities we serve. For more information, go to nislpro.com.