SECAUCUS, N.J. - The New York Red Bulls proudly announced Scotch Plains Fanwood Soccer Association (NJ) have become the clubs newest "Student of the Game" partner Wednesday.
"We are very impressed with the vision and structure that has been put in place in Scotch Plains to serve the area's children. It is an honor to partner with a volunteer organization that's serves nearly 2,000 youngsters from the Scotch Plains and Fanwood communities. We are proud to work with this organization and are pleased they have agreed to become a partner in our Student of the Game program," said Red Bulls Vice President of Ticketing Steven Powell. We are thrilled with the response from youth soccer organization in the tri-state area that has expressed an interest in becoming a Student of the Game partner. We hope to make other announcements in the near future. Due to the high volume of deliverables provided by the Red Bulls, we are limiting the number of partners to just twenty."
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.
"The Red Bulls have clearly made a commitment to youth soccer and our club is thrilled to partner with them. Clearly this is an acknowledgement that each needs the other's support in order to grow and be truly successful. This program provides a wonderful component to our training program by adding inspiration and motivation for our youngsters. No one ever forgets their first visit to a professional sporting event or their personal interaction with a world class athlete," said Jim Fawcett, President of the Scotch Plains Fanwood Soccer Association.
Through this partnership, a member of the Red Bulls coaching staff will travel to the Scotch Plains 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, Scotch Plains Fanwood Soccer Association players, coaches and parents 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.
Scotch Plains Fanwood Soccer Association serves children ages 4-17. It will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2007 and was named Volunteer Organization of the Year in Scotch Plains in 2005.
For more information on the Student of the Game program, please contact the New York Red Bulls at 1.877-RBSOCCER
