Vital Manchester City received the following article from a New York City based Blues fan.
English Premier League soccer club Manchester City FC has announced a partnership with New York City-based Downtown United Soccer Club (DUSC) and Gotham Girls Football Club (GGFC).
As part of this new partnership, Manchester City’s award winning Community scheme, City in the Community (CITC) will work closely with DUSC to expand the City Soccer Initiative (CSI), DUSC’s inner-city outreach program. This agreement is the first of a series of community initiatives to be announced by the club for delivery during MCFC’s upcoming US tour and beyond.
Every week, more than 3,000 inner-city children participate in the CSI program, which uses soccer to teach critical life skills, tackle childhood obesity and help improve the quality of life in underserved communities.
As well as enabling significant expansion and development of CSI’s existing programs, Manchester City will grant ten scholarships per annum throughout the term of the agreement to allow underprivileged New York inner-city youngsters to join the DUSC and GGFC Youth Soccer programs.
The partnership between Manchester City, DUSC and GGFC will provide the 1,500 plus travel and recreational players of the New York based clubs with support for their child-centered approach to teaching and competition in soccer.
The EPL club will also share its coaching expertise through direct training sessions with coaches and players, exchange programs in England, and a series of camps in New York City. The first MCFC camp will be held the week of July 19 on Randall’s Island, led by Alex Gibson, former head coach of MCFC’s prestigious youth academy, which has produced more first team graduates than any other English Premier League soccer academy.
Commenting on the partnership, Gustavo Palomino, the Director of Coaching for DUSC and GGFC, said…
‘This is a very exciting opportunity for DUSC and GGFC to work with such a prestigious partner. It will be a privilege for our clubs, our coaches and, most importantly, our players to work with Manchester City and will allow us to implement a fully integrated player development structure, from youth right through to professional level. I believe this is an important step for both our clubs and for US soccer.’
Assistant Coaching Director for Gotham Girls, Courtney Carroll, said…
‘Gotham Girls FC is dedicated to providing opportunities for female players in the New York Metropolitan area to have a first class soccer experience that exposes them to the global game. Our partnership with Manchester City, and more specifically the ladies’ team, MCLFC, will help us to elevate the women’s game in NY and develop the girls to reach their full potential, both as players and as people.’
Paul Jeffries, Director of City Soccer Initiative, added…
‘The skill, energy and dedication that Manchester City has put into its award winning City in the Community programme is something that we have long admired. We are very excited to be able to utilise City’s expertise to the benefit of thousands of New York’s inner city children via our City Soccer Initiative.’
Sarah Lynch, Managing Director of City in the Community said…
‘We searched long and hard to ensure that we found the very best partner for our ongoing community legacy in New York and believe we have achieved that goal in our agreement with DUSC and CSI. We look forward to a very successful and mutually beneficial relationship over the coming months and years.’
Manchester City is playing in the New York challenge as part of their pre-season summer tour of the US, playing Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon on Friday 23rd July and the New York Red Bulls on Sunday 25th July. For tickets and further information, click here.
About Downtown United Soccer Club (www.dusc.net)
Since 1982, Downtown United Soccer Club has been organizing premier Travel and Recreational soccer, with clinics and academies for boys and girls ages 3-19. DUSC’s inclusive program has a simple idea: teach a younger player the skills that he or she will need, play them in a supportive team structure, make sure the emphasis is on fun and you will grow strong, cohesive and competitive teams.
About Gotham Girls Football Club (www.gothamgirls.org)
Gotham Girls FC is the only soccer club in the New York City area whose sole focus is the development of female players. The Club’s top flight, professional coaching staff has a uniquely positive, child-centered approach to teaching and competition, with goals of instilling a love for the beautiful game, and helping girls reach their full potential as players and people.
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