HARRISON, N.J. — As part of the New York Red Bulls Believe program, the Red Bulls will be holding a three day soccer clinic on August 2-4 at the Concordia Learning Center at the St. Joseph’s School for the Blind in Jersey City, N.J. Youth coaches from the Red Bulls Training Programs will conduct specially structured soccer activities for the students, who range from ages 5-18.
"We are extremely excited to bring Red Bulls soccer to the students at the school," said David Jervis, Director of Red Bulls Training Programs. "Through our Believe program we work with many diverse groups, and we are proud to be sharing in this experience with the students at St. Joseph’s.”
The New York Red Bulls Believe program is an outreach initiative focused on young athletes with special needs. The program forms part of the Red Bulls extensive player development system that caters for players at all levels of the sport. Over the past 12 months, the team has hosted a number of clinics for special needs children across Hudson and Essex Counties.
“This is a unique social and educational learning experience for our students who are blind, visually impaired and multiply disabled,” St Joseph’s Executive Director Judy Ortman said. “Many of our students knew very little about soccer and now they have the opportunity to train and play with professionals! The Red Bulls Training Programs team members are exceptional. They took the time and interest to work alongside our own teachers and specialists to creatively design a program suitable to the needs of our students.”
About the New York Red Bulls: The New York Red Bulls are one of 18 teams that comprise the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States – Major League Soccer. The Red Bulls enter their second season at Red Bull Arena – the premier soccer facility in North America located in Harrison, NJ – after winning the Eastern Conference regular season title and completing one of the best turnarounds in MLS history in 2010. Led by MLS Coach of the Year finalist Hans Backe, the Red Bulls boast international stars Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez, MLS Newcomer of the Year finalist Joel Lindpere and recent U.S. Men’s National Team debutants Juan Agudelo and Tim Ream. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
About Concordia Learning Center at St. Joseph’s School for the Blind: Since its start in 1891, St. Joseph’s has remained the only school in New Jersey serving the blind and visually impaired. Today, with a new state of the art facility and more than a century of experience educating individuals with disabilities, the school continues its primary mission to serve individuals who are blind and visually impaired and has expanded service to include individuals with multiple disabilities and preschool disabled.
