The New York Red Bulls Academy Affiliate Program, part of the MLS Youth Affiliate Network, is a platform designed to improve the player identification and development of elite youth level players by providing greater access to high level soccer opportunities.
The most talented players within the Academy Affiliate Program participate in co-partnered elite player development and talent identification programs operated by both the Affiliate club and the New York Red Bulls Academy. In addition, each Affiliate has a tailored coaching education schedule around elite level player identification and development.
Today, Red Bulls Academy is delighted to announce its fifth partner to the Academy Affiliate Program in Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club.
Board of Directors, Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club:
We are very excited about the Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club partnership with Major League Soccer and the New York Red Bulls. The Academy Affiliate Program provides our players with an opportunity to develop and compete at the very top level of soccer in the United States. As a not-for-profit club based in Brooklyn for over 72-years, our mission is to ensure that the love of The Beautiful Game is never hindered by race, ethnicity, religion, or financial resources. Our soccer community will now benefit from even greater access to professional curriculum, programming, training, and competition.
Antonio Superbia Jr., Director of Coaching, Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club:
Our club and soccer community are delighted to become affiliated with the New York Red Bulls Academy Affiliate Program. This partnership will enhance our player identification protocol and the overall development of our elite youth player. Jointly, our organizations are looking forward to providing the best youth talent in the borough of Brooklyn, with greater access and opportunities to the highest level of soccer. The Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club is proud to continue to strive for the absolute best for its players, families, coaches, and tremendous supporters.
Kevin Thelwell, Head of Sport, New York Red Bulls:
The Red Bulls Academy Affiliate Program is central to the vision of our club. We have a strong desire to continue to grow our soccer family and provide elite level opportunities for players and coaches alike to regularly collaborate with New York Red Bulls.  In doing so it is hoped that we can all benefit through these relationships by learning from one an another and providing talented young players with an opportunity to succeed in the game we all love.
Sean McCafferty, Academy Director, New York Red Bulls:
We are happy to be able to announce Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club as an official Affiliate of the New York Red Bulls Academy. Our goal is to work closely with the club leadership and coaching staff to grow the foundation level age groups and ultimately attract the best talent in the Brooklyn area. The club has a lot of potential and we look forward to continuing the already excellent work being done to ensure growth at all age groups.
Ryan Brooks, Senior Manager of Academy Business Operations, New York Red Bulls:
We welcome Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club into the Red Bulls Academy Family. This affiliation gives players in Brooklyn more elite level opportunities a clear pathway to join the Academy. The Brooklyn market plays a major role in our long-term strategic objectives and we have aligned with a forward-thinking club. Thank you to everyone involved in making this partnership come to life!
Fouad Kawtari, Academy Head Scout, New York Red Bulls:
Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club is one of the oldest and most respected clubs within the tri-state area as they were a pioneer in the early days of soccer in both Brooklyn and New York City with many outstanding accomplishments. Having a club onboard with such a fine history and established program is exciting as it allows us to work closely together on creating elite level player identification opportunities. Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club is officially an extension to Red Bulls Academy, and as such, we now have a much greater outreach in Brooklyn and within New York City landscape at large. This connection is, of course, paramount to the early identification and development of top talents.
Congratulations and thank you to the Brooklyn Italians SC leadership team that has worked incredibly hard to make this a reality – the future is bright!
For more information on the Red Bulls Academy Affiliate program, click here.
For more information on Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club, click here.
