Red Bulls Youth Fantasy Camp

RED BULL NEW YORK ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 2007 YOUTH FANTASY CAMP AT GIANTS STADIUM

The fourth annual Youth Fantasy Camp will return to Giants Stadium July 16-20 and will run from 2pm to 5pm daily. The Youth Fantasy Camp has seen significant growth since it's inception in 2003; with increases in enrollment each year. The 2007 version should see more of the same and is certain to fill up quickly again! The Youth Fantasy Camp attracts boys and girls from all over the Tri-state area who want to experience firsthand what it is like to play soccer for a professional soccer team. Limited to the first 80 paid registrations, each child will receive their own personalized adidas uniform, locker in Giants Stadium, and soccer ball.

The camp itinerary will provide five three-hour practice sessions during the week on the field at Giants Stadium and in the practice bubble. The sessions will cover individual possession - dribbling and ball control, passing - possession and penetration, attacking skills - including the final 1/3, crossing, and finishing, defending skills - including pressure, cover, and balance. New for the 2007 camp will be a special goalkeeper-specific group for the first 15 goalkeepers to register. Goalkeeping topics covered will be ball handling, shot stopping, footwork, distribution and dealing with crosses and breakaways. Then on the final day, the camp will be capped off wit ha tournament between campers to showcase the skills they have learned during their week of training.

The Youth Fantasy Camp is designed to suit players of all skill levels. Ten of the players who attended the 2006 Youth Fantasy camp were hand selected by coaches of the New York Red Bulls Regional Development School to participate in Select Level tournaments throughout the winter.

Limited to the first 80 paid registrations, each child will receive their own personalized adidas uniform, locker, and soccer ball. There will be special guest appearances from Red Bull New York players, staff, as well as members of the media as a part of this great week of activities. The campers will truly be able to experience the life of a professional soccer player, both on and off the field.

The 2007 Fantasy Camp experience will conclude with a reunion at Giants Stadium at a Red Bulls game in the fall where the players will be honored in an on-field ceremony. If you would like to learn more about the 2007 Red Bulls Youth Fantasy Camp, please contact Rich Scheer at rscheer@newyorkredbulls.com or by calling 201-583-7027.

The 2006 edition of the Fantasy Camp also played host to 23 players from the Wolves Soccer Club from Bermuda. "The children learned new skills which they have now implemented into their weekly matches and still talk about the learning experiences at the Camp. They thoroughly enjoyed playing against the various teams in New Jersey and I'm sure they will not easily forget such a memorable time", said Wolves Soccer Club Group Organizer, Christina Maybury. It was a great experience for all campers, who were given the opportunity to learn about one another's culture while teaching each other a few new tricks along the way.

The total cost of the camp is $475. The camp is for children age 7-15.

Feedback from players and parents at the 2006 camp:

"My experience with the Red Bulls Youth Fantasy Camp was nothing short of professional. As I walked down the ramp into Giants Stadium, I almost thought I was late for my own practice, since the uniforms and drills resembled that of a first team training session. If you want a real glimpse into the life of a Red Bulls soccer player, this is the camp for you!"
- Taylor Graham, Red Bull New York defender who visited the campers during the week

"It was the most amazing experience seeing my son Johnny participating in a soccer camp at such a professional level. I highly recommend the New York Red Bulls Fantasy Camp to all youth soccer players!"
- Manny Antunes, Fairfield, NJ

"The Red Bulls Youth Fantasy Camp opened a side of soccer that my sons have never seen up close. They were treated like "star athletes", from having their own lockers to being a part of a press conference. They felt important. The trainers were excellent and from this camp my sons have advanced into the Red Bulls Regional Development School program. They are excelling in all areas of the sport and for this we have the Red Bulls to thank."
- Dina Scheuerman, Staten Island, New York