SOCCER SHOTS HARRISBURG & YORK AND PANTHERS UNITED SOCCER ASSOCIATION ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIP TO OFFER YOUTH SOCCER PROGRAMS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Harrisburg, Pa. (June 17, 2019) – Soccer Shots Harrisburg & York and Panthers United Soccer Association announced this week a partnership that establishes Soccer Shots as the official soccer program for children ages 2-6 in the Greater York area, specifically within the Central York School District. The partnership enables Panthers United to utilize Soccer Shots’ nationally-recognized and curriculum-based intro to soccer program for families within their territories, with a participant pipeline for Panthers United programs once children age out of training with Soccer Shots.
“We are excited to build a partnership with Panthers United, and to commit together to provide exceptional child development and soccer training to the families and children in the York area,” said co-founder of Soccer Shots and owner of the Harrisburg & York franchise, Jason Webb. “Both Soccer Shots and Panthers United care deeply for the youth in our programs, and we believe this alliance strengthens our abilities to impact children and families.
“We are proud to launch this new partnership.”
The alliance between Soccer Shots and Panthers United is unique in that Panthers United will steer all children between ages 2-6 to Soccer Shots, with Soccer Shots overseeing programs for Mini (age 2), Classic (ages 3-5), and Premier (ages 5-6) at various locations throughout the territory, including First Church of the Brethren in East York and Christian School of York in West York. Soccer Shots will direct all children age 7 and above to Panthers United, including those that finish Soccer Shots programs after age 6.
Soccer Shots will implement a strategic plan for Premier (ages 5-6) programming starting in Fall 2019, with a four-season cycle that emphasizes skill development, introduction to increased competition, tactical training, and scrimmage play.
“Both Soccer Shots and Panthers United care first about providing an excellent experience to children and families, and this strategic alliance reinforces this commitment,” said Soccer Shots Harrisburg & York Executive Director, Steve King. “Our programs are led by qualified coaches that meet our high standards for teaching and influencing children, and our curriculum is designed to meet children in an age-appropriate fashion. We are thrilled to have more children between the ages of two to six join our Soccer Shots programs, and we’ll be grateful to have Panthers United as a partner for children age seven and above.”
Soccer Shots programming will continue at both First Church of the Brethren and Christian School of York for the Summer and Fall seasons, with the Fall being the inaugural season for the shift in Soccer Shots Premier from ages 5-8 to ages 5-6. Additional sites, including for the Soccer Shots Winter League for Premier-aged children, will be added in the near future.
Families are encouraged to visit harrisburgyork.soccershots.com to find season details, and to follow future announcements regarding the continued shift in Soccer Shots Premier to provide both an excellent and strategic development experience.
“Soccer Shots continues to be one of the fastest-growing and respected franchisors not only in youth soccer, but also in all categories of youth fitness and recreation,” added King. “As a national leader in child development soccer programs, we are inspired to build positive relationships with not only children and families, but outstanding organizations like Panthers United.”
About Soccer Shots Harrisburg & York
Soccer Shots Harrisburg & York provides children ages 2-8 with a developmentally appropriate soccer and character development experience under the guidance of childhood education specialists, professional soccer players, and experienced and licensed soccer coaches. The curriculum-based program is offered through more than 125 franchises operating in more than 200 territories across 36 states and Canada. Soccer Shots Harrisburg & York is one of the first franchises in the system, and operates out of the brand-new Soccer Shots Complex at 1020 S. Eisenhower Boulevard in Middletown, Pa. For more information or to find a program near you, visit www.soccershots.org/harrisburgyork.
About Panthers United
Panthers United Soccer Association was established in 1993 and is a local youth soccer organization located in York, Pa. within the Central School District. Panthers United operates intramural and travel soccer teams for boys and girls with age ranges from U7-U17. The Panthers United mission is to provide a safe, fun, educational, and positive experience for all members while developing a love for the game of soccer. Click here to view website.
About the Strategic Alliance
The collaboration between Soccer Shots and Panthers United is a result of a larger partnership established between Soccer Shots and US Youth Soccer in December of 2017. That agreement paved the way for Soccer Shots franchises and local US Youth Soccer clubs to form alliances to share resources and create a path for children to be introduced to the world’s most popular sport, build character, and prepare for future training—all in ways that are developmentally appropriate.