The New York Red Bulls boast one of the strongest youth programs not just in MLS, but across the country. In addition to finding and developing local players that keep the academy teams near the top of the national rankings, the Red Bulls have demonstrated their commitment to the future of youth soccer in New York and New Jersey. The organization maintains partnerships with over 100 youth soccer programs, providing camps, clinics and in-house training from certified and professional Red Bull youth coaches.
Each month, NewYorkRedBulls.com and RedBullsAcademy.com will feature one of these partners in our Red Bulls Youth Partner Program Spotlight.
Levittown Soccer Club
Levittown Soccer Club (LSC) is a non-profit organization that looks to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of members through soccer at all levels from ages 3-19. Founded in 1976 by Luigi Pelini, the club serves Levittown, N.Y., and the surrounding towns in Nassau County on Long Island. Current President Jerry Marinan has overseen the growth of the club for the past decade and been a big supporter of using the Red Bulls as their training organization.
The club currently have 171 players in their Snoopy Program for children 3-5 years old, 520 players in intramurals which ranges from U6-U15 and 440 travel players on 30 teams from U9-U18.
LSC have two full-time trainers and a summer camp run by New York Red Bulls, and many of their players have even enjoyed Red Bulls match experiences. The Levittown players have escorted the Red Bulls onto the field and played at halftime on numerous occasions. LSC also have three former club players in the Red Bulls Academy system and eight in the Regional Development School (RDS).
"Our long term player development partnership with Levittown Soccer Club has allowed us to help them structure their programs to be more player-centric and focused on the holistic development of all of their youth players,” Training Programs Regional Manager Jerome Vivona said. “We work across many age groups and address the needs of their absolute beginners all the way up to and including the numerous players that have been identified for the Red Bulls Academy.”
“They understand the value of creating a fun, challenging and supportive environment where children have an opportunity to learn. We are proud to be a resource in helping them achieve their youth development goals."
The partnership has allowed players to develop their technical skills from an earlier age, while helping volunteer coaches get a better understanding of how to run training sessions. The coaches’ portal, which contains many age-appropriate drills, has been utilized by the majority of coaches within the club.
“Training never ends,” Travel Director Kristopher Tung said. “By having the Red Bulls as a part of our program, this simple statement holds true, whether it’s on the field or in life.”
LSC is very involved in community service projects and fundraising. For the past four years, the club has run Kick it to Cancer, a program featuring jerseys designed for kids and pink ribbon socks for players and parents to wear to matches during the month of October to support the fight against breast cancer. The club, along with a benefactor, donated the total cost of all goods and profits to Pink Promises. They raised $4,000 the first year, followed by $10,000 in 2013, $15,000 in 2014 and $17,500 this year.
They also hold the annual Friends of Renz Annual tournament in August which celebrates the life of Lorenzo Fernandez, a LSC player who lost his battle with liver cancer at 12-years old. The club donates all the proceeds to Hope and Heroes foundation in his honor.
For more information about Levittown Soccer Club, visit their website, LevittownSoccerClub.org, or Like them on Facebook at Levittown Soccer Club. For further inquiries, contact Kristopher Tung at travel@levittownsoccerclub.org.
