Swans sign up first USA Youth Partner
Swansea City has signed up ambitious North Shore United Soccer Club as its first ‘Official Youth Partner Club’ in the United States.
The four-year agreement with the Wisconsin-based outfit firms up an informal pact between the clubs that dates back to 2010.
The arrangement will see the Swans provide NSU with its training curriculum and send academy coaches to America to train players and coaches.
The Swans’ training facilities will be made available to NSU teams for visits to Swansea, while all their teams from under-9 to under-19 will wear Swansea City kit in matches throughout the Midwest.
Patrick Collins, Swansea City’s head of international business development, said: “The partnership with North Shore United Soccer Club is an important step for us as we look to grow Swansea City’s global fanbase, while also promoting our coaching philosophy.
“We are excited to work with the North Shore United coaches and most importantly all the young players in helping the club achieve its goals.”
Joe Hammes, NSU’s director of coaching, added: “We are thrilled to formalise our partnership with Swansea City as it offers our membership unparalleled access to a club with an amazing story that plays in the most competitive league in the world.
“Our coaches are excited to continue being trained by the Swansea staff in the Swansea philosophy through sharing of curriculums, coaching education sessions and a mentorship programme.
“The unique mentorship programme allows our North Shore United coaches the ability to go to Swansea City and shadow their coaching staff as they train the next generation of youth and professional players.
“There is no doubt that much of our recent success as a club is closely tied to our relationship with Swansea City, as our staff has access to advanced training methodology that we implement to motivate and push our players to higher levels of play.”
Summer camps with Swansea coaches have been a fixture at NSU’s Cedarburg base for many years, and back in 2014 the manager and first-team players stopped by the Port Washington State Bank complex during the club’s pre-season tour of America.
NSU teams have also visited Swansea every other year to train, play matches and see the first team play at the Liberty Stadium.
More than 1,100 players participate in recreational, youth academy and select programs at North Shore who also offers programs for U23 men and women and men’s Majors. NSU has won 15 Wisconsin state championships, prepares players for all levels of college soccer and has had four players attend USA Youth national team camps.
