Red Bull is giving wings to the city of New York. The New York Red Bulls will be vitalizing local soccer programs by providing needed equipment and elite-level coaching throughout the upcoming season. In partnership with sports apparel company adidas and equipment supplier Kwik Goal, the donation of goods and resources will aim to cover New York’s soccer-playing fanbase, from those participating in city-run summer camps, to younger athletes training in soccer clubs in the five boroughs.
For every goal scored by the New York Red Bulls during the 2011 MLS regular season, Red Bull will make donations to the New York City Parks & Recreation Department’s summer camp programs. For each goal, $1,000 in equipment and clinics will be donated to the cause. The team hopes exposing kids to the fundamentals of soccer will help them embrace the sport, thus leading them to a healthier lifestyle.
“Parks & Recreation is thrilled to partner with The New York Red Bulls, the region’s only professional soccer team, to bring soccer clinics and equipment to our Summer Camp sports programming,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “Together we can help introduce children to the sport, support New York’s team and finding new fans along the way.”
In addition to contributing to NYC Parks, “New York’s Got Wings” will also be doling out contributions in the form of new soccer equipment to New York youth soccer programs throughout the five boroughs. In order to spread the word and gain community support, each borough will take turns throughout the season voting for a specific youth soccer club to receive the prize.
The soccer club voting for each borough will take place over a seven game block starting with Queens (3/19 – 4/30), Brooklyn (5/7 – 6/11), Staten Island (6/19 – 7/16), Bronx (7/20 – 9/10) and Manhattan (9/17 – 10/20).
"Programs like New York's Got Wings that utilize soccer as means to integrate youth, promote health and give back to the community are very important to me." said New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry. "As someone that has received so much from this sport since I was growing up, I feel a responsibility to constantly use soccer as a tool of positive social change."
"I am thrilled to be part of the New York's Got Wings Program," Red Bulls midfielder Rafa Marquez said. "I think it is extremely important to develop youth soccer programs in the tri-state area and I am willing to help out in any way I can."
Recognizing the momentum of the program, adidas will contribute 1,000 soccer balls at the start of the MLS season, with one additional ball donated in honor of every Red Bulls jersey purchased at the adidas Sport Performance store in New York. This program will last throughout the 2011 season.
For more information, voting and goal tracking for “New York’s Got Wings,” please visit www.redbullusa.com/newyorksgotwings. Voting begins on Opening Game day.
Please follow @NYGotWings for campaign updates and exclusive giveaways
