FORT LAUDERDALE – The Fort Lauderdale Strikers today announced the launch of a two-tiered program for youth soccer clubs in the South Florida area designed to strengthen the club’s ties with the youth soccer community. The program will be known as the Club Affiliation and Partnership Program or C.A.P.P.
“One of our primary goals this year is to strengthen our ties with the local soccer community,” said Strikers President Tim Robbie. “Launching this innovative program is one of many steps we intend to take in that direction. We hope to have many clubs involved as we enhance our club’s development in the South Florida community.”
The affiliation program features opportunities for youth clubs to receive programming input from the Strikers’ technical staff, coaching seminars, player appearances, joint camp sessions, Strikers’ players involved in club coaching, co-branding opportunities and other customized programs.
The partnership program features the programming, seminars, and appearances as well as other customized programs.
Both levels include opportunities for youth players, coaches, and their families to attend Strikers’ games and interact with players and staff. Additional information on these initiatives can be found on the Strikers website.
Strikers and West Pines United Join Forces
The Strikers announced today that West Pines United will become the first official member of the Club Affiliation and Partnership Program (C.A.P.P.).
“We are excited about developing this relationship with West Pines United, one of the premier soccer programs in Florida,” said Strikers’ President Tim Robbie. “We look forward to providing them with our coaching resources and programming concepts in order to enhance their development programs. We also look forward to creating opportunities for West Pines players, coaches, and their families to interact with our players and coaches and attend our games.”
West Pines United, based in Pembroke Pines, is one of the most successful youth travel soccer programs in Florida, fielding more than 40 teams of boys and girls from Pembroke Pines and surrounding areas. West Pines United teams have had great success and a large number of titles in local, state and national tournaments and competitions by developing youth players’ skills and knowledge of the game. West Pines has had several teams placed in the nation’s top ten in rankings.
“The Strikers’ long history and success in the world of soccer is unmatched in the U.S.A. and will greatly benefit our youth program and player development programs, creating wonderful and unique opportunities,” said West Pines United President Dan Murphy. “We could not be more pleased to work with and support the Strikers, and at the same time improve the development opportunities of our local players.”
The Strikers and West Pines United intend to develop several training programs for West Pines United players that will be conducted and/or supervised by the Strikers’ technical staff for both the girls and boys programs.
Strikers Partner with Fort Lauderdale’s Recreational Soccer Program
The Strikers today announced that the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Recreational Soccer Program has joined the Club Affiliation and Partnership Program (C.A.P.P.).
“The partnership program between the Strikers and the City of Fort Lauderdale is significant for both parties,” said Strikers’ President Tim Robbie. “We work closely with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department in many areas, so this partnership between our club and the City’s recreational soccer program is a natural extension of that relationship.”
The Strikers have conducted coaching seminars for the City’s soccer coaches and have held several clinics and appearances at City soccer events involving players, interactive activities and even the team mascot, “Hot Shot.”
“Our Holiday Park Youth Soccer Program has more than 1,250 participants,” said Phil Peterson, the City’s Youth Program Coordinator. “The Strikers played a major role in the coordination and management of our volunteer coaches’ meeting for 98 teams, academy instruction for our soccer participants, and for our player and coaches’ appreciation day. They are a tremendous addition to our soccer program at Holiday Park.”
All recreational soccer players enrolled in the city’s winter/spring program received tickets to the Strikers’ home opener on April 7th against F.C. Edmonton as a direct result of this partnership program.
The Strikers continue their preseason schedule Wednesday, Mar. 21st, when they play a friendly match against Florida Atlantic University at 8:00p.m. at FAU’s soccer stadium. The game is free and open to the public.
