Soccer doesn’t often get a fair shake here in America. The most popular sport in the world – the other ‘football’ – gets kicked around as the butt of numerous jokes in this country. However, Major League Soccer (MLS) popularity is on the rise and the New York Red Bulls are using teamwork to vitalize local soccer programs.
New York’s MLS squad will provide needed equipment, elite-level coaching and other resources during the upcoming season through the New York’s Got Wings program. For every goal scored by the Red Bulls during the 2011 regular season, Red Bull will make donations to the New York City Parks & Recreation Department’s Summer Camp Program.
“Parks & Recreation is thrilled to partner with the New York Red Bulls, the region’s only professional soccer team, to bring soccer clinics and equipment to our Summer Camp sports programming,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “Together we can help introduce children to the sport, support New York’s team and find new fans along the way.”
Parks runs 22 summer camp programs in recreation centers citywide for children ages six through 13. They offer trips, sports, fitness activities, creative arts, team building and recreation games, as well as computers and technology, to keep kids’ minds active. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/parks.
In addition to contributing to Parks, New York’s Got Wings will also award $10,000 in new soccer equipment to youth programs throughout the five boroughs. Each borough will take turns voting for the soccer program they feel is most deserving of the prize.
The soccer club voting for each borough will take place over seven game blocks – voting for Queens runs through April 30, so head over to www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/001242976756938 and cast your vote. The Auburndale soccer club in Flushing is currently in the lead, with the F.C. Vipers club from Long Island City in second.
The other programs up for the grand prize are the Rosedale Rockets in Rosedale, F.C. New York United in Flushing, Woodhaven, Queens Village in Jamaica and Forest Hills. Voting for Brooklyn begins in May – followed by Staten Island, the Bronx and Manhattan.
Red Bulls’ players are excited to be in a position to help foster interest in their sport. Midfielder Rafa Marquez will be one of those players contributing the goals necessary to kick start city soccer popularity.
“I am thrilled to be part of the New York’s Got Wings program,” said Red Bulls midfielder Rafa Marquez. “I think it is extremely important to develop youth soccer programs in the tri-state area and I am willing to help out in any way I can.”
For more information, voting, and goal tracking for New York’s Got Wings, visit www.redbullsusa.com/newyorksgotwings.
