SECAUCUS, N.J. - The New York Red Bulls proudly announced Manalapan Soccer Club has become the club's second "Student of the Game" partner for the 2007 season.
"We are very pleased to announce that Manalapan SC has signed on to be our second 'Student of the Game' partner for 2007. We look forward to building on our relationship with the club from years past and working closely with them throughout the season with great soccer events in Manalapan as well as at Giants Stadium," said Red Bulls Director of Sales and Fan Services Rich Searls. "We also will be announcing a few more partners in the coming weeks. However, due to the high volume of deliverables included, we are limiting the number of 'Student of the Game' partners to just 20."
Mike Hammer, the President of Manalapan SC added, "For the past year and a half, the Manalapan Soccer Club has had a real nice partnership with the Red Bulls. We have a beautiful field-a world class field-courtesy of the Red Bulls and have run a great Red Bulls development program. Some of our kids have gone on to represent the Red Bulls with their top level tournament teams. And of course the best part has been many of our players and their families have truly enjoyed going to games and being fans of our favorite soccer team."
The Student of the Game program is designed to provide youth soccer clubs in the tri-state area with a series of educational, motivational and inspirational benefits to assist players and also coaches and parents. The recruitment and retention of parent volunteers remains a challenge for most youth soccer organizations.
The "Student of the Game" program provides clubs with various tools aimed at assisting in this area. One aspect of the program is a special Club Outing at Giants Stadium for a Red Bulls home game. The purpose of this outing is to give youth players the opportunity to watch a game live, learn from professionals and provide parents an opportunity to meet each other in a social setting. The "Club Night Out" is the ultimate team-building event.
"I think all the aspects of the program are wonderful, from training sessions for our coaches to having our soccer families going to see the professionals play the World's Greatest Game. But, if I had to choose one, it would be for our children to have an opportunity to meet the professionals in person, getting to speak with them and getting autographs and watching them play. Seeing the smiles on the kids' faces is priceless and the bottom line is we are here for the kids," said Steve Scafidi, the club's Fundraising Chairperson.
Through this partnership, a member of the Red Bulls coaching staff will travel to Manalapan to lead the club's coaches through a clinic and give them tips on game strategy and team tactics. The Red Bulls will assist soccer clubs 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.
Additionally, players, coaches and parents from the Manalapan Soccer Club will be able to develop personal relationships with Red Bulls players through player appearances at their respective home fields.
"Professional players and teams are what children look up to. For many, these players are their heroes. Ask any kid who truly loves to play the game what do they want to be when they grow up... their response is obvious - a professional soccer player. So for them to see these matches live is to really see what it is all about. To see the incredible skill and athleticism in person is like nothing else. They can see how the game is really played," Hammer said.
For more information on the Student of the Game program, please contact the New York Red Bulls at 1-877-RBSOCCER.
