SECAUCUS, N.J. - The New York Red Bulls proudly announced that Vikings FC has become the club's next "Student of the Game" partner for the 2007 season.
"We are pleased to announce that Vikings FC has signed on as the latest Student of the Game Partner for 2007. Our organization is excited to continue working with the Vikings this season with events in their area as well as at Giants Stadium," said Red Bulls Director of Sales and Fan Services Richard Searls. "Due to the high volume of deliverables included in this program, we are limiting the number of Student of the Game Partners to just twenty this year, and we are close to reaching that goal very soon."
Chris Eftychiou, Secretary for Vikings FC said, "The Vikings FC has made it a tradition to attend Red Bull games each spring and fall. The players, families, and coaches love tailgating prior to the game and even sometimes being present in the rally tunnel. The Red Bulls organization has been fantastic in accommodating all of our club needs."
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.
"Besides going to the Red Bulls game this spring, our club is looking forward to the 90 minute coaches clinic provided by Red Bull's staff and the opportunity to have our players down on the field prior to the game," said Eftychiou.
Through this partnership, a member of the Red Bulls coaching staff will travel to the Viking FC's fields 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 Vikings FC will be able to develop personal relationships with Red Bulls players through player appearances at their respective home fields.
"One thing that American kids have been denied prior to the growth of the MLS are professional players from local teams that they can emulate and aspire to be like," Eftychiou said. "Kids growing up in Europe or South America all have their favorite players and they follow their careers. They watch their moves with awe and then try them out on their own. It develops passion to see players of MLS caliber in person and even have opportunities to meet them through special programs like the Student of the Game program."
For more information on the Student of the Game program, please contact the New York Red Bulls at 1-877-RBSOCCER.
