The New York Red Bulls announced that Cherry Hill Soccer Club has become a "Student of the Game" partner for the 2008 season.
"We are proud to announce that Cherry Hill Soccer Club has become a Student of the Game partner for 2008," said Red Bulls Director of Sales and Fan Services Rich Searls. "For the past several years, the Student of the Game program has been one of our most successful initiatives. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with Cherry Hill SC and providing them top notch resources to supplement their club's programs."
"The Cherry Hill Soccer Club ran a club night last year and we also ran some special events for individual teams," said Cherry Hill SC President Mark Oberstaedt. "The Red Bulls organization was first-class with the kids and their families. Not only did our players get the opportunity to shake hands with their heroes before warm-ups, but they also got to experience what it is like to play on the stadium field before 15,000 fans. The kids thoroughly enjoyed not only the experience of playing in the stadium, but also getting to go 'behind the scenes; in the tunnel and see the players enter and exit the field at halftime."
The Student of the Game program, which is limited to just the first 25 clubs to be accepted, is designed to provide players, coaches and parents of youth soccer clubs in the tri-state area with a variety of resources that will help them learn, play, and teach the game. This program is dedicated to the development of the youth club on every level - from recreation to travel.
The recruitment and retention of volunteers remains a challenge for most youth soccer organizations, and the Student of the Game program provides clubs with various tools aimed at assisting in this area. 'Club Nights' at a Red Bulls match are one aspect of the program that gives youth players from each club the opportunity to watch a game live and learn from the professionals, while also providing parents an opportunity to meet each other in a social setting.
These 'Club Nights' also provide chances to interact with Red Bulls players and coaches in person through exclusive on-field opportunities and a pre-game and halftime locker room 'Chalk Talk'.
Through this partnership, a member of the Red Bulls coaching staff will travel to the team's training field to lead the club's coaches through a clinic and give them tips on game strategy and team tactics. The Red Bulls will assist the club with their fundraising efforts throughout the season and organize sportsmanship clinics designed by specialists to help create players who are successful both on and off the field.
"As much fun as it can be to watch soccer on television, it's just not the same," Oberstaedt said. "By its nature, television is not suited to capture the parts of the game that players need to see. When they are at the game, our strikers can see how Jozy Altidore and Juan Pablo Angel make runs to get themselves into position for the ball or open up space for each other. Our midfielders can see how Dane Richards makes overlapping runs. Our defenders can see how the backs like Jeff Parke man mark their opponents even when they are off the ball. We can discuss these things in practice, but nothing is a better teacher than getting the kids to a game and letting them see how the pros do it."
Additionally, players, coaches and parents from Cherry HIll SC will be able to develop personal relationships with Red Bulls players through player appearances at their respective home fields.
For more information on the Student of the Game program, please contact the New York Red Bulls at 1-877-RBSOCCER.
