Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Kicks-Off Youth Soccer Month with Multiple Special Events throughout the Area in September


Plymouth Meeting, PA – September 6, 2012 – September is US Youth Soccer Month, and for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, in the midst of celebrating the association’s 40th anniversary of promoting, fostering and perpetuating the game of soccer to the region’s youth, it’s a month chock-full of special events throughout Eastern Pennsylvania from Reading to Philadelphia commemorating Youth Soccer Month.

Among the festivities planned for this week, the first full week of Youth Soccer Month, are:
·         A free soccer clinic for children under 19, and a coaches clinic as well, hosted by the Colonial Soccer Club in Plymouth Meeting on Tuesday, September 4th from 5 to 7 p.m.
·         A special activity area and informational display, with contests and games, at the first two games to be played by Arcadia University’s men’s and women’s soccer teams in their newly-refurbished Easton Field, with the men’s game against Swarthmore on Wednesday, September 5th at 7 p.m. and the women’s game against Neumann on Thursday, September 6th also at 7 p.m.
·          A free soccer clinic for children under 19 years of age, as well as a coaches clinic, hosted by the Norristown Soccer Club at East Norriton Middle School on Friday, September 7th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
·         On Saturday, September 8th, a full day of soccer games will be played at Falls Soccer Club (188 Lincoln Highway, Fairless Hills PA 19030), from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon, with representatives of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer on hand with special games, contests and giveaways.
·         The action moves to Philadelphia’s Please Touch Museum on Sunday, September 9th, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., including games, contests, giveaways, and special appearances by players from the Philadelphia Union.

Additional events will take place throughout the month of September, including special events at Philadelphia Union home games, high school and college games throughout the region, and special free soccer clinics in Pottsville and Reading, among other events.  A full schedule for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s celebration of Youth Soccer Month is available online at http://www.epysa.org/events/youth-soccer-month.aspx.

Youth Soccer Month is dedicated to increasing awareness of the benefits of playing Youth Soccer in America. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is proud to support this effort and further the goals of Youth Soccer Month, which include emphasizing soccer as the number-one youth participation sport in America, and a leading contributor to the healthy lifestyle of millions of American families. It also includes bringing kids and families of all ages and all abilities together for fun, friendship and fitness, as well as highlighting the various programs available to children interested in participating in soccer, including inner city, special needs, recreational and elite soccer programs.

A series of fun-filled messages will be communicated throughout Youth Soccer Month to illustrate the essence of youth soccer. Each week during Youth Soccer Month, a different message will be the focus of “Celebrating Soccer in America.” The four messages of Youth Soccer Month are:

1.  Fitness: The health and fitness (physical, psychological and social) benefits of playing soccer.
2.  Fun: Whether recreational or competitive in nature, involvement in soccer is easy, affordable and rewarding.
3.  Family: Playing soccer ties families together as schedules, vacations and family time are coordinated.
4.  Friendship: The relationships generated through playing soccer extend beyond the field.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer has joined forces with US Youth Soccer in supporting Youth Soccer Month. Spreading the benefits and impact soccer has had on millions of Americans is very important to both organizations. Interest in the sport of soccer is at an all-time high in the United States, more than 19 million children ages 5-19, are participating in soccer regularly. In fact, more children are participating in organized soccer than peewee football, youth basketball or Little League baseball. 

About Youth Soccer Month:
Youth Soccer Month is September, and is the national celebration of Soccer in America. More than 19 million children ages 5 – 19 regularly participate in soccer in the United States, more than peewee football, youth basketball or Little League baseball. Recognizing the impact and importance the sport of soccer plays in the day-to-day lives of America’s families, US Youth Soccer is spearheading Youth Soccer MonthCelebrating Soccer in America. 

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer):
US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.

About Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer:
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer has worked throughout Eastern Pennsylvania to promote, foster and perpetuate the game of soccer to the region’s youth since 1972.  Through competitions, educational programs, workshops and coaching clinics, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer currently impacts the lives of more than 130,000 youth soccer players from ages five to 19.  Additional information is available at http://www.epysa.org.

Media Contacts:
Rob Brown, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, (610) 238-9966, rbrown@epysa.org
Jim DeLorenzo, Jim DeLorenzo Public Relations, (215) 564-1122, jim@jhdenterprises.com