TINTON FALLS, N.J. – Sky Blue FC announced Tuesday that it has established a corporate partnership with MRC Recreation, one of the leading park and recreation equipment suppliers in North America.

Key initiatives of the relationship will be focused on community outreach, with the two organizations partnering on a variety of community-based initiatives.

“We are very pleased to welcome MRC Recreation into the Sky Blue FC family,” Sky Blue FC president and general manager Tony Novo said in a statement. “We immediately knew that MRC was an ideal partner for us as soon as we began discussions with them. Similarly to Sky Blue FC, MRC shares in our organizational philosophy to give back and have a positive effect on the surrounding communities. We look forward to developing a great relationship with MRC and anticipate this being just the start of a great partnership together.”

One of the main focal points of this relationship will involve community soccer clinics that will be hosted by MRC Recreation and feature Sky Blue FC coaches and players. The two organizations also will structure and participate in other community events together.

“Over the past 40 years, MRC has focused on laying a strong community footprint throughout New Jersey in the form of park and playground development,” MRC Recreation president Jim Marturano said in a press release. “When partnering with local organizations, we seek those that share our community values, and we strongly believe we have found that in Sky Blue FC.”

MRC Recreation was established in 1978. The company specializes in designing, selling and installing GameTime playground equipment, as well as various other park and recreation products. The company is based in Spring Lake, N.J.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.