SECAUCUS, NJ - Red Bull's Bullieve program is descending upon the greater New York metropolitan area, including New York City's five boroughs, Long Island and northern New Jersey, to scout for undiscovered, underprivileged talent and give players the opportunity to showcase their skills before coaches and scouts from the professional, college and youth club ranks in the Big Apple.
The New York City-area Bullieve initiative, fostered in conjunction with Red Bull New York, is a branch of the nationwide Bullieve program instituted by Red Bull North America. Bullieve scouts will make unannounced visits to New York City-area soccer fields in search of approximately 100 elite players to invite to a special training camp - the Bullieve Camp - at Giants Stadium on Sept. 1.
"Our club strives to identify the top youth talent in the tri-state area, regardless of their background, and the Bullieve initiative will help make this vision a reality," said Red Bull New York's Technical Director Jeff Agoos. "Through this program, we can peel back the layers of youth soccer and find the best young players in the tri-state area."
The camp will be coached by licensed professionals, staffed by New York Red Bulls Academy coaches, and watched by regional youth club soccer coaches and scouts. Afterward, each player will be rewarded with a ticket to see Coach Bruce Arena's talented New York Red Bulls, anchored by midfield captain and New Jersey native Claudio Reyna and recent Colombian forward signing Juan Pablo Angel, host an MLS match against the Chicago Fire, featuring Mexican international forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
Bullieve looks to remove financial barriers associated with professional youth training and club soccer while shedding new light on underprivileged youths with special soccer talent. Bullieve's outreach is intended to sweep the nation, and the greater New York City area is the second target city for the program. Bullieve first sent scouts to Chicago in May.
"The Bullieve initiative is about removing pay-to-play barriers and providing underprivileged youth with the opportunity, the platform and the exposure they may not otherwise receive," said Jason Argent, Director of Mass Sports Marketing for Red Bull North America. "Most importantly, this is an avenue for them to receive professional training, potentially receive scholarships to top-level clubs, and ascend to the highest levels of youth soccer. The value of the instruction alone is significant, but the exposure to some of the top clubs in New York City and northern New Jersey is truly priceless."
Scouts plan to begin visiting soccer fields at schools, parks and privately owned recreation areas in July and August for a 6-week period.
