Sky Blue FC Host ODP Night with New Jersey Youth Soccer Standouts
Sky Blue FC and New Jersey Youth Soccer host ODP Night to provide its youth members a chance to meet players from the NWSL club and learn their perspective on technical and tactical aspects of the game. Sky Blue’s presence in the community provides youth soccer with the resources to continue to grow the game with the help of professional organizations.
Youth Soccer News: Nearly 200 individuals representing the various New Jersey Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program teams came out for ODP Night at Sky Blue FC this past Saturday night. The players took advantage of a multitude of opportunities offered by the home town National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club. First and foremost, they watched their home team take on the Western New York Flash in a tight early season battle. The crowd witnessed former NJ Youth Soccer ODP standout Maya Hayes open the scoring for the home team.
Before the game, ODP players got a chance to meet head coach Christy Holly and hear about the technical aspects and tactics of the game. New Jersey players Hayes, Christie Rampone, Erika Skroski, Danielle Schulmann, Kelly Conheeney and Rachel Breton visited with the ODP players pre-game to share some words of advice and take a photo. In addition, ODP players were invited to participate in the halftime “Parade of Champions.”
Ryleigh Thompson, a member of the Club NJYS program (birth year 2005) and player with the Lenape Valley Soccer Club said “I had the most fantastic time at the Sky Blue game on Saturday. Meeting Maya Hayes and Sam Mewis was my favorite part!”
Katherine Weiss, a player with the Freehold Flash Blue and member of the Young Olympians program (birth year 2004) said “We kids are very lucky to have this opportunity because my mom didn’t have this when she grew up playing soccer. It was great meeting the players and I hope that ODP does this every year.”
“I can’t put in words how much soccer means to me but watching sky blue play inspires me to become a great soccer player,” said Abby Kennelly a 2003 ODP player from Twin County Soccer Association’s Storm team.
New Jersey Youth Soccer and Sky Blue FC announced a partnership earlier this season with ODP being one of focus points. Through events and special access opportunities we are committed to growing the game at all levels.
Source/Photo Credit: New Jersey Youth Soccer
