Chattanooga Red Wolves SC has announced a partnership with Greater Cleveland Soccer Association (GRCSA). The USSF-sanctioned USL League One Club will aid in coaching education, player development and identification, fundraising and more for the youth soccer organization.
GRCSA is a non-profit community soccer club whose mission to provide soccer players, coaches and parents in the local area with the opportunities to learn, play and develop regardless of age, gender, diversity or ability. The Greater Cleveland Soccer Association (GRCSA) opened the Mouse Creek Soccer Complex in 1996. The facility sits on 20+ acres and includes a premiere stadium that serves as the home field for Cleveland High School Blue Raiders. GRCSA shares a partnership with the City of Cleveland.
“Greater Cleveland Soccer Association has always been a well-respected youth soccer club in our community, offering competitive recreational and travel soccer programs,” said Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Director of Community Relations Terri Lee. “We are really looking forward to supporting GRCSA and their continued mission to provide players, coaches and parents opportunities to learn and play in an environment that fosters development and growth.”
As a part of the partnership, every player jersey in GRCSA’s programs will feature the official Chattanooga Red Wolves SC crest. In addition, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Head Coach and Technical Director Tim Hankinson will lead coaching clinics focusing on coaching education and techniques for the association’s coaching staff. The Red Wolves SC professional players will be of assistance, as well, making appearances at training sessions to interact with GRSCA youth. Additionally, the Red Wolves Technical Staff will help assess players within the program and identify those ready to make a move to academy play.
According to GRCSA Director of Coaching Nathan Brown, the partnership between the organizations will serve as a tremendous tool for the advancement of the association’s coaches and youth players.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to learn from an experienced coach like Tim Hankinson and the many professional players he has acquired,” said Brown. “The Red Wolves partnership will create learning experiences for our players and will provide our coaches additional opportunities to further their soccer development.”
“We truly want to propel our players and coaches to perform at their greatest potential, and the Red Wolves will enable us to do that,” added Brown.
Beginning in the 2019 season, the organization will have one dedicated Chattanooga Red Wolves SC match night per season, on which all players wearing a GRCSA jersey will be granted free admission. The fundraising portion of the agreement allows teams from GRCSA to directly benefit from Red Wolves SC ticket sales.
GRCSA’s Select Travel Program is designed for players who are interested in playing at a competitive level higher than recreational soccer. GRCSA is holding its annual club soccer tryouts for birth years 2000-2012 on Monday, June 3 at Mouse Creek Soccer Complex. For more information, visit leagues.bluesombrero.com/grcsafc.
GRCSA sponsors many recreational programs in the fall and spring of each year. The recreational league serves approximately 450 players, offering programs for ages 2-14. The recreational program focuses on teaching fundamental ball skills in a fun, positive atmosphere.
For participant or sponsor inquiries, leagues.bluesombrero.com/grcsafc, or contact Nathan Brown at nbrowngrcsa@gmail.com.
The Red Wolves will make their debut in USL League One play on March 30, 2019 as the club travels to Dallas, Texas to face North Texas SC, a League One club operated by MLS side FC Dallas. The Red Wolves will face Forward Madison FC for the club’s inaugural opening night the following week on April 6. Kickoff is 7 p.m. local time.
For more information on Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, visit www.chattredwolves.com or follow the team on social media: @ChattRedWolves on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
