Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Continues to Celebrate September as Youth Soccer Month with More Special Events Scheduled



Plymouth Meeting, PA – September 11, 2012 – The celebration by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer of September as US Youth Soccer Month, continues over the next two weeks with numerous special events around the commonwealth.

Among the latest festivities scheduled for the next two weeks of Youth Soccer Month, are:

·         Tonight (Tuesday, September 11th), a special activity area and informational display, with contests and games, at the Bloomsburg University men’s soccer game against Shepherd University at 7 p.m. at Sports Stadium in Bloomsburg, PA.  Admission is free.
·         On Wednesday, September 12th, Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer will officially issue a proclamation celebrating Youth Soccer Month, and there will be a free street soccer clinic, at Gameface Sports Complex (2816 Old Pricetown Road, Temple, PA 19560) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
·         On Friday, September 14th, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will have a special activity area and informational display, with contests and games, at Temple’s women’s soccer game against Drexel, game time 4 p.m. at Ambler Field (Ambler, PA). Admission is free.
·         The action moves to Saint Joseph’s University on Saturday, September 15th, with a special activity area and informational display, with contests and games, at the Rider vs. Saint Joseph’s University men’s soccer game, at 5 p.m.
·         Misericordia University women's soccer team will join with Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer to celebrate Youth Soccer Month as part of a soccer doubleheader on Tuesday, September 18. The Misericordia women's team will host Lycoming at 5 p.m. at Mangelsdorf Field while the men's team will face the University of Scranton at 7:30 p.m. There is no admission fee for either game and all are youth soccer teams are invited to attend. During the event, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will provide information on youth soccer, giveaways and interactive opportunities for children.
·         On Wednesday, September 19th, all Angelo’s Soccer Corner locations will offer 20 percent discounts on merchandise with a mention of “Youth Soccer Month” at purchase.
·         Also on Wednesday, September 19th, there will be a free soccer clinic for children under 14 hosted by the North Union Soccer Club in Kelly Township Fields from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
·         The Philadelphia Union hosts DC United on Thursday, September 20th, with a special ticket discount at PPL Park for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, with representatives of the association providing information on youth soccer, giveaways and interactive opportunities for children.
·         On Saturday, September 22nd, a full day of youth soccer is slated for Central Bucks West High School (Doylestown, PA), during a doubleheader featuring the girls’ teams from West Chester Rustin against Central Bucks East at 12:30 p.m., and the boys’ teams from Penn Ridge meeting Central Bucks East at 3:30 p.m.

Additional events will be announced shortly. 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.