This past summer 2025, almost one thousand children participated in an RDS Summer Residential Camp. As a bonus to the exceptional learning experience that these camps offer, every participant had the chance to take part in the Red Bulls RDS Skills Challenges. These tests are comprised of five simply structured tasks that measure technical ability in the following areas: Dribbling, Turning, Receiving, Passing and Shooting. For many players, these challenges are one of the most exciting and inspiring parts of their summer, and importantly, they serve as a benchmark to track their skill development.
After tallying and processing all the top scores, the top ten in each age group were identified and invited to compete in the annual New York Red Bulls RDS Skills Challenge on Saturday, September 20th, at the Red Bulls Training Facility in Whippany, NJ. It was a perfect evening for the participants under a beautiful fall sky. The players showed increased confidence and technical proficiency at the various events as they competed not just with each other but to improve their own personal scores.
Finally, to close out the Skills Challenge season, all participants were offered free tickets to attend the Red Bulls match against NYCFC at Sports Illustrated Stadium on September 27th. Not only that, but the champions and runners-up were all welcomed on the field for a special pre-match ceremony. From the sidelines, they were able to watch the teams as they warmed up and were celebrated on the video boards as club staff highlighted their age-group achievements. In addition to the recognition, each champion received customized player cards featuring their photo and the skill attributes measured during the competition—an exciting keepsake that captured their hard work and performance. This not only celebrated their success but also showcased the next generation of local talent on a big derby night.
Congratulations to all our champions and participants for creating such a competitive yet collegial atmosphere!
