Jan. 31, 2008

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern University Men's Soccer Coach Tim Lenahan has announced a partnership venture with Coerver Coaching to provide technical skills training at all NU Boys Soccer Camps this summer.

"We have worked very hard to develop our summer camps," said Lenahan. "We have the best facilities, great organization, terrific attendance and a very competitive environment for players to develop. By partnering with Coerver Coaching we will also offer the top soccer skills teaching methodology in the world. This partnership positions us as the most complete soccer camp experience available anywhere."

A test program last summer proved highly successful as Coerver coaches taught skills to NU campers using the methodology that has been developed by Coerver's worldwide network of coaches. Campers were led through a series of individual skills and small group games to improve confidence and creativity.

"The response from the kids and their parents was fantastic," said Lenahan. "We wanted to bring the Coerver guys back on a regular basis because their sessions were fun, fast-paced and we felt they were developmentally appropriate for each group. The kids loved the games and exercises and you could see the players improving almost immediately."

For his part, Coerver Director Roy Dunshee sees the partnership as an excellent way to spread the word about player development by affiliating with a prestigious institution.

"Coach Lenahan has built one of the nation's top Division I soccer programs in a remarkably short time and that's down to his quality as a coach and leader of young men. The reputation of the school speaks for itself. Last summer we saw that high standard in action as we participated in their summer camps which were extremely well run. Coach Lenahan understands the importance of skill development in youth players and we are thrilled he thinks so highly of our program. As a team, I firmly believe we will make the NU camps the best youth soccer camps in the country."

In addition, the College Soccer Training Center (CSTC) returns for its eighth year. This intense camp welcomes some of the nation's top college coaches to train those high school age players who aspire to play in college. This year's college list includes members who have coached at Northwestern, Villanova, Lafayette, Colgate, Rutgers, Duke, University of Chicago, Missouri, and other top soccer programs. Last year former CSTC participant Brad North was drafted in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft. This year's MLS SuperDraft saw two former CSTC participants, David Roth and Rashawn McKenzie, taken by New York Red Bull and KC Wizards, respectively.

"We are very proud of the success of The College Soccer Training Center and in how we have helped prepare players for that next step in their soccer career," said Lenahan, a two-time national coach of the year finalist. "The curriculum is built to expose players to some of the top college coaches in the country while providing critical insight into what to expect when they participate in college soccer."

The Coerver program offers a unique approach to skill development and has been endorsed by great coaches and players from around the world, including:

RENE MEULENSTEEN
Manchester United Technical Coach and Reserve Team Manager:
"I was appointed by Sir Alex Ferguson as Technical Coach of Manchester United because I was a Coerver Coach. He and I feel that the Coerver Coaching program is the top way of teaching technical skills."

JUERGEN KLINSMANN
German World Cup Champion:
"I wish the Coerver Coaching Program had been available when I was young - it would certainly have made me a better player."

LIAM BRADY
Arsenal Academy Director:
"We at Arsenal are strong believers in the Coerver Program...we want all our young players to be exposed to it so we invited Coerver to instruct our Academy Technical Coaches"

Coerver Coaches will be providing technical training at Northwestern boys soccer day camps the weeks of June16-20 and July 28-31 for grades 1-8 as well as a commuter/residential camp the week of July 16-19 for grades 4-8 and grades 9-12.

In addition, Northwestern offers the nationally recognized College Soccer Training Center July 10-13 for High School players with an eye toward playing college soccer.

Information about Northwestern soccer camps can be found at www.nusoccercamps.com. For more information about Coerver Coaching, please visit www.coerver.com.