HARRISON, N.J. (June 27, 2016) – The New York Red Bulls have expanded their partnership with Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL), increasing the WYSL-Red Bulls Select program to four age groups (boys and girls) starting Fall 2016, the club announced today.
The organizations have agreed to increase the volume of age groups that are eligible for the program, which will create a pathway for WYSL’s most competitive players, between the birth years 2005 to 2008, into the Red Bulls Academy or higher level soccer in years to come.
“After the success of year one of the program, and the positive reviews we received from both players and parents, both organizations agreed that expanding the program from two to four age groups would only be beneficial,” said John Birchall, Regional Manager for Red Bull Training Programs in Westchester County. “This will allow more high level WYSL travel team players to be exposed to high level training in the most challenging environment.”
The program will provide WYSL’s more than 45 member clubs the opportunity to send its best players to train in the WYSL-Red Bulls Select program. The partnership will provide a connection between WYSL, which serves more than 20,000 local players, with New York Red Bull Youth Programs.
The program, accessible by tryout only, will operate in the Fall, Winter and Spring seasons. Selected players will take part in weekly training programs. During the winter, players will wear WYSL-Red Bulls Select uniforms and compete in indoor tournaments. The program, located centrally in Westchester County, provides an easily accessible training hub. In year one of the program the WYSL-Red Bulls Select program players also enjoyed unique training sessions at the Red Bulls Training Facility and were given a tour of the facility – even meeting First Team player Ronald Zubar while on the visit.
To help identify and prepare players for year two of the WYSL-Red Bulls Select program, the two organizations have also arranged a 15-hour summer camp for high level WYSL travel team players to showcase and hone their abilities. The camp will run 5 to 8 p.m. from Monday through Friday at Saxon Woods, Mamaroneck, N.Y., the week of August 15, 2016.
By partnering with one of the largest youth leagues in the New York Metropolitan area, the Red Bulls’ youth programs continue to build on its strong grassroots efforts and commitment to local player development and community outreach.
Westchester Youth Soccer League
The Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL) was established in 1977 as a non-profit, educational organization affiliated with U.S. Club Soccer and the U.S. Soccer Federation. The mission of the league is to foster the physical, mental and emotional character development of youth by providing a safe, organized, fair and competitive game playing opportunities for our players. WYSL registers more than 20,000 players under the age of 19. The league has more than 45 member clubs. Visit http://www.wyslsoccer.org/ for more information.
About the New York Red Bulls Player Development System
The New York Red Bulls maintain one of the premier youth development programs in the United States, committed to identifying and developing talent in the tri-state area. The Red Bulls Player Development System is a multi-layered program that provides professional support at all levels of the game. Each level of the player development pyramid has been structured to provide the best development opportunities to players, coaches and youth soccer organizations.
Within the local community, programs are offered for players of all ages and abilities. For players with outstanding ability, there is an opportunity to progress from the grassroots Training Programs to the Regional Development School, then on to the Academy Teams and, ultimately, to the Red Bulls professional team Red Bulls Academy teams are consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation. Red Bulls players make regular appearances in U.S. Soccer Youth National Teams and NCAA Division I programs. For more information about Red Bulls Academy and training programs, visit www.redbullsacademy.com/.
