Raritan NJ
7-25-2025 9:15pm

Premier League, State of New Jersey and U.S. Soccer Foundation Announce Three-Year Partnership to Deliver New Jersey Soccer Development Program to Empower Local Coaches and Youth Players

  • More than 10,000 youth players and 500 soccer coaches across New Jersey will benefit from the new three-year program
  • Players, managers and legends from Everton and West Ham United helped host youth soccer clinics at Washington Elementary in Kearny, NJ, to celebrate the launch of the initiative
  • This partnership was announced on the eve of the Premier League Summer Series tournament, which kicks off at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, July 26

The Premier League, State of New Jersey and the U.S. Soccer Foundation today announced a three-year partnership to deliver a New Jersey soccer development program. It will help develop more than 500 local soccer coaches and provide vital coaching and sports development resources to more than 10,000 youth players from underserved communities across the state.

Through the partnership, the Premier League and the U.S. Soccer Foundation will work together to identify local soccer organizations and coaches and provide selected groups with a coaching development program consisting of both in-person and virtual training sessions. The initiative will incorporate the Premier League’s Coach Development program that empowers the community soccer workforce to inspire the next generation of young people and the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Coach-Mentor Training program, which trains coaches to serve as mentors and builds their capacity to create lasting, positive connections with youth.

To mark the launch of the initiative, first-team players and managers David Moyes and Graham Potter from Premier League clubs Everton and West Ham United, respectively, helped host a community showcase and youth soccer clinic for local schoolchildren (aged 9-12) at Washington Elementary School in Kearny, NJ.

The new partnership builds on the Premier League’s ongoing commitment to develop youth soccer throughout New Jersey and the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Yes, Coach! movement to train 100,000 coaches as mentors and drive social impact through youth sports mentorship.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “The Premier League is proud to support the development of the game at all levels and we are delighted to continue our legacy of supporting coaches and young players in local communities in New Jersey.

“This new three-year partnership with the State of New Jersey and U.S. Soccer Foundation builds on the community initiatives that were launched during the first Premier League Summer Series two years ago.

“New Jersey is a fantastic hub of soccer here in the United States. Not only is it great to bring four of our clubs here to kick off this year’s tournament at MetLife Stadium, but we will continue to work with local partners to benefit thousands of local people who love the game.”

Kearny and Washington Elementary have been at the heart of the Premier League’s previous efforts, as today’s community showcase was held on the Kearny Futures Field mini-pitch. That facility was built and funded by the Premier League and EA Sports in 2023 and was originally made possible with support from the U.S. Soccer Foundation, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and the Kearny School District.

State of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said: “Today’s announcement marks a game-changing moment for thousands of young New Jerseyans. By partnering with the Premier League and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, we’re bringing world-class soccer development directly to our communities—from the fields of Kearny to every corner of our state.

“As we gear up to host the Premier League doubleheader at MetLife Stadium tomorrow, this partnership proves that New Jersey isn’t just a world-class stage for the beautiful game—it’s a place where the next generation of talent can grow and shine.”

U.S. Soccer Foundation Chief Executive and President Ed Foster-Simeon said: “We’re excited to return to Washington Elementary School alongside the Premier League and the State of New Jersey as we continue our mission to ensure soccer leaves a lasting legacy in communities across the state.

“Over the next three years, we look forward to strengthening our collaboration to train more coaches as mentors and provide them with the tools and support they need to positively impact youth—both on and off the field.”

The Premier League players and managers who attended the event, took time out of their training schedules ahead of the Premier League Summer Series tournament, which kicks off at the MetLife stadium on Saturday, July 26, when Everton will face AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United will play West Ham United. This second edition of the Summer Series will see the four Premier League clubs play double-header matches at MetLife Stadium before heading to Soldier Field in Chicago (July 30) and finally Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on August 3.

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