EAST WINDSOR, N.J. — New Jersey Youth Soccer announced Tuesday that it has created a partnership with the Philadelphia Union to support programming and community-based initiatives.

“New Jersey Youth Soccer is very excited to establish this relationship with the Philadelphia Union,” NJYS president Evelyn Gill said in a press release. “The Union is an ideal partner to support our programming, particularly in the southern New Jersey region, and we very much look forward to working with them on a variety of initiatives.”

Beginning this past weekend with Young Olympians and Club NJYS, which are operated as part of the New Jersey Olympic Development Program, the Major League Soccer club will be providing qualified coaches for various NJYS events and programming.

The relationship also will include a variety of community outreach initiatives. One such program will be TOPSoccer, a community based training and team placement program for young athletes with special needs, with the Union supporting a local program and providing trained coaches to help run those training sessions.

“Philadelphia Union is delighted to partner with NJ Youth Soccer,” Union Chief Business Officer Tim McDermott said in a statement. “We love getting involved with our greater community and take pride in being involved in the excellent work NJ Youth Soccer does for our neighbors in southern New Jersey. This partnership is a great way for us to connect with and support young players and families in our area and we look forward to a fruitful relationship.”

NJYS members will also have opportunities throughout the MLS season to attend group outings at Union home matches at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa. The two organizations will continue to work together closely on a variety of other components that will be mutually beneficial to both groups as well.

To find out more information about New Jersey Youth Soccer or to contact us directly, please email [email protected].

 

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.