BRIDGEVIEW, IL - Chicago Fire Soccer has signed an agreement with Illinois Youth Soccer to renew the partnership that provides cross-platform marketing support and technical development, as well as opportunities for Illinois Youth Soccer members to attend Chicago Fire games throughout the 2007 regular season. For thousands of current members of Illinois' youth soccer association, the partnership will continue to provide role models and heroes both on and off the field. The Illinois Youth Soccer Association will continue to be an official "Elite" partner of Chicago Fire Soccer, and the two organizations remain committed to immersing area youth players into the highest levels of domestic soccer.
The partnership provides Illinois Youth Soccer members with multiple Chicago Fire-related resources, while the Chicago club further expands its presence throughout Illinois. Over 400 Fire game tickets will be donated as well as 250 soccer balls, 500 t-shirts and other official Fire gear. Per terms of the agreement, Chicago Fire Soccer will invite two Illinois Olympic Development State teams to TOYOTA PARK to participate in a training session with the Fire first team coaching staff.
"We are proud to continue our partnership with Illinois Youth Soccer," said Chicago Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "The Chicago Fire has a strong presence throughout Illinois, and we are very much looking forward to continuing our relationship with this association. With this renewal comes new initiatives that will further strengthen our connection with the Illinois Youth Soccer Association, as well as provide unique experiences for thousands of youth soccer players within the region".
As per the agreement, Illinois Youth Soccer will continue to hold a prominent position as an "Elite" partner on the official Chicago Fire website, www.chicago-fire.com, and advertisement placements within "FREEKICK", the official game day magazine produced for every Fire home game. Chicago Fire Soccer will list all Illinois Youth Soccer-sanctioned tournaments on the Fire youth soccer events page and will provide exclusive fundraising opportunities for subsequent tournaments and programs. Conversely, Illinois Youth Soccer will promote the Chicago Fire through e-mail newsletters, direct mail, website links, and targeted communication with Illinois coaches.
While providing a fun, family-friendly professional soccer experience for over 85,000 diverse Illinois Youth Soccer members, Chicago Fire Soccer has made a commitment to support and enhance soccer technical development within the state. As a result, all Illinois Youth Soccer coaches will be invited to participate in the Chicago Fire Coaches Club, a free program that provides coaches with training information, e-newsletters, and special game-day events.
"The Fire has always been very supportive of our inner-city initiatives," says Gus Bender, President of Illinois Youth Soccer. "This partnership unifies the soccer community in pursuit of our common goals."
About Illinois Youth Soccer
The Illinois Youth Soccer Association is the governing body for youth soccer in Illinois. It is a member of the United States Youth Soccer Association, United States Soccer Federation, and the Federation International of Football Associations (FIFA). Illinois Youth Soccer is a non-for-profit educational organization, incorporated on Jan. 13, 1976 in the state of Illinois whose purpose is to foster the physical, mental, and emotional growth and development of Illinois's youth through the sports of soccer at all levels of age and competition.
