Athletes involved with the North Brunswick Soccer Club are getting their kicks by training with professional athletes.
The New Jersey Ironmen, a professional indoor soccer team, will be holding training sessions this season for all of the recreational players and the boys’ travel teams, while Sky Blue FC, a women’s professional soccer team, will train the girls’ travel teams.
The athletes will review basic skills, techniques, endurance training and an overall understanding of the game every week with each team.
The Soccer Club is also trying to establish a partnership with the North Brunswick Township High School boys’ soccer team for additional player assistance.
“I think it’s important because if you look at our ranks … [in the age groups of] 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds, we probably have 300 out of 500 kids [total in the league], so we’re getting them to learn the basics well right off the bat, which makes it easier for the volunteers to teach the game,” said Oscar Robayo, the director of coach and player development for the Soccer Club. “A lot of these kids are looking at the professional players training them, and that can set up some kind of relationship, looking up to their trainers.”
The North Brunswick league has been around for about 20 years and caters to township residents and nonresidents from pre-kindergarten to ninth grade. More than 570 kids participate in the recreational division, while there are 10 additional travel teams. More than 50 head coaches are assisted by fellow volunteer coaches and team parents.
The teams practice around town and then play games in North Brunswick Community Park.
“Getting them involved nowadays is especially important because most kids spend time in front of the TV or a video game,” Robayo said, noting how soccer is much more popular in his native South America or in Europe than in the United States. “Soccer is very active; you have to think on your feet, and it gives you the opportunity to develop in any other sport.”
In addition to the training programs, for the first time the Soccer Club will be offering full uniforms for players from first grade to ninth grade, including jerseys, shorts and socks.
The spring season runs from April 18 through mid-June. Registration is still being accepted, but only for players age pre-kindergarten to fifth grade due to availability.
For more information, visit North- BrunswickSoccer.org. The new website offers individual team web pages and will serve as a communication hub for all players.