SECAUCUS, NJ - The New York Red Bulls proudly announced Pocono Mountain Youth Soccer Association has become the clubs latest "Student of the Game" partner on Monday, May 1, 2006.
"We are extremely pleased with the high quality of leagues joining the Red Bulls as "Student of the Game" partners this season. Pocono Mountain YSA is a top-flight organization and represents the first league from Pennsylvania to become a partner. ," said Red Bulls Vice President of Ticketing Steve Powell. "Due to the high volume of deliverables provided by the Red Bulls, we are limiting the number of partners to just twenty. We expect to be close to capacity within the next month".
"Attending a Red Bulls game as a club, allows all the kids in our program the chance to learn the game of soccer directly from the pros and to experience a special day at the stadium with kids from other teams. This interaction allows them the chance to develop long lasting friendships and in-turn brings our clubs closer together," said Pocono Mountain Soccer League President Scott Weinberger. "Staging a Pocono Mountain Soccer League Night at the Red Bulls gives us the chance to give back to the kids and the parents for all of the hard work they invest on a regular basis. We are pleased to have established this strong meaningful relationship with our area's pro soccer team and look forward to watching them bring home a championship."
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 but 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-Night-Out 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.
"Our Past experience with the Red Bulls was a very good one, our club outing was everything we expected it to be. We had over 150 parents and players attend the game together. This event helped us tremendously in bringing everyone closer together", said John Mazza, VP Travel, Pocono Mountain Soccer League.
Through this partnership, a member of the Red Bulls coaching staff will travel to the Pocono Mountain area 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 Pocono Mountain Soccer League will be able to develop personal relationships with Red Bulls players through player appearances at their respective home fields. They also will receive a monthly newsletter from Red Bulls players with training tips that will help bring their game to the next level.
For more information on the Student of the Game program, please contact the New York Red Bulls at 1.877-RBSOCCER.
