Chelsea Football Club of the English Premier League announces
partnerships with two of America’s leading youth soccer
clubs, Sereno Soccer Club of Phoenix and Solar Soccer Club of
Dallas.
The two youth clubs join Chelsea FC’s growing U.S.
youth club network that supports the development of soccer in
America.
As part of the Chelsea youth club network, Sereno Soccer Club
and Solar Soccer Club will learn the Chelsea FC coaching philosophy
and curriculum, host training sessions and camps with Chelsea
coaches, benefit from Chelsea-sponsored tournaments and participate
in player exchange programs.
Chelsea FC Chief Executive Ron Gourlay said: “Our youth
club network is designed to create long-term growth and
sustainability of soccer in America by supporting elite youth clubs
that provide the best soccer instruction and experience for local
players.
Sereno Soccer Club has been developing soccer for more than
30 years in Arizona and this partnership will assist them in taking
it to the next level and expanding their reach and impact on the
game.”
Gourlay continued: “Dallas is a great sports city in
America and the growth of soccer there at both the youth and
professional level is significant. Partnering with Solar allows us
to continue to help the development of soccer in Texas by staying
closely connected to the community through a top club.
Solar’s mission of Soccer Excellence Through Development is
perfectly aligned with our youth club network goals.”
Sereno Director of Coaching David Robertson expressed his
enthusiasm for the partnership: “We see this as a very
positive step forward for our players and coaching staff. Getting
access to the Chelsea FC Youth Academy programming and coaches will
help us to ensure that our training programs are world class. We're
also excited to give kids from all over the Valley access to
Chelsea FC coaching through Sereno-Chelsea sponsored events, camps
and clinics right here in Phoenix.”
Sereno SC is one of the leading soccer education and training
organizations in the U.S. They are perennially ranked the no. 1
youth soccer club in Arizona. Over the past 30 years, the club has
produced 46 Arizona State champion boys teams, 80 Arizona State
champion girls teams, nine regional champions, three national
finalists and one national champion.
Solar Director of Coaching Kevin Smith expressed his
excitement: “This is a big deal for our club and for youth
soccer in the Dallas area. Chelsea is very selective in clubs they
ask to join their network so for us to be on board further proves
that Solar is among the elite clubs in the country. Using Chelsea
FC’s training curriculum and having their coaches involved
with our kids will take our club to the next level. It’s an
exciting time for us.”
With more than 30 years in developing top soccer players in
the Dallas area and multiple national championships, Dallas cups
and state cups, Solar SC is proven to be a benchmark of elite
soccer programs in the U.S.
Solar SC alumni include a number of current professional
players such as Corben Bone (Chicago Fire), Drew Moor (Colorado
Rapids), Shea Salinas (Philadelphia Union), Kenny Cooper (Plymouth
Argyle) and more.
Chelsea announced its first youth soccer club partnership
with CASL of North Carolina in July 2008. Other Chelsea U.S. youth
club partners include Match Fit Chelsea of New Jersey, LAFC Chelsea
of Los Angeles, the Baltimore Bays and the Le Jardin Academy based
in Hawaii.
