New Jersey Youth Soccer expands partnership with Sky Blue FC
East Windsor, N.J. (Via NJ Youth Soccer) ― New Jersey Youth Soccer has announced that it is expanding its partnership with Sky Blue FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Along with many community initiatives throughout the year, NJ Youth Soccer will also host a variety of theme nights with Sky Blue FC during its home matches this season at Yurcak Field.
“We are very pleased to renew our partnership with Sky Blue FC and to continue our support of the professional women’s game,” said Evelyn Gill, President of NJ Youth Soccer. “The women of Sky Blue FC and the National Women’s Soccer League serve as tremendous role models for young athletes everywhere, both on and off the playing field. We have great pride in Sky Blue FC being a professional representative of New Jersey, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them for many years to come.”
NJ Youth Soccer and Sky Blue FC will be working together on multiple collaborations throughout the year to contribute to the growth of the game. Among those initiatives will be Sky Blue FC player appearances at various NJ Youth Soccer events, participation in the NJYS Awards Dinner, involvement at TOPSoccer outings and several group appearances at Sky Blue FC home matches.
2019 NJ Youth Soccer Nights at Sky Blue FC (Ticket Info: 888-SBFC-TIX)
- May 25 – Night of Champions (Celebration of the U11/U14 NJYS State Cup Champions)
- June 22 – Olympic Development Program (ODP) Night
- June 22 – Night of Champions (Celebration of the U15/U19 NJYS State Cup Champions)
- September 7 – TOPSoccer Night
- September 15 – NJ Youth Soccer Night
“As I’ve recently moved into this role, an important first step for me was to recommit and refresh our relationship with New Jersey Youth Soccer,” said Alyse LaHue, Sky Blue General Manager. “They are a crucial partner for us as we transition forward, and I’m excited by the conversations and the willingness to explore new initiatives that will have an affect particularly on women and girls in soccer in the State of New Jersey.”
Sky Blue FC defender Mandy Freeman recently attended the NJYS Young Olympians Festival earlier this month and spoke to a group of young girls about her experiences in soccer, also providing advice on the importance of hard work and perseverance. The Young Olympians Program, designed specifically for players born in 2008 and 2009, is an introductory stage for those who aspire to play at a high level and provides a path to participate in the New Jersey Olympic Development Program (ODP).
“I loved speaking with the girls participating in the festival,” said Freeman. “For being so young, they had great questions about my career playing soccer and what it’s like being a professional. What surprised me the most were how many questions they had about my favorite subjects in school and what it takes to succeed in the classroom. It’s amazing that at their age they’re already thinking about how to be the best player on and off the field.”
As a key part of their relationship, NJ Youth Soccer and Sky Blue FC will continue to explore initiatives to recruit and retain women at all levels of the game. Among the areas of focus for those efforts are coaching, refereeing and administrative roles, as well as off-field initiatives to inspire youth players to remain in the game.
