Beginning this fall, New Jersey Youth Soccer is proud to pilot a Student Ambassador Program with West Morris Central High School (WMC). The new initiative is also supported by US Soccer’s Innovate to Grow Program (ITG).
Conceived by Alex Hoberman, a senior at WMC and captain of its varsity soccer team, with support from NJ Youth Soccer and STA, the Student Ambassador Program is a student-led initiative that provides student-athletes with an opportunity to establish a soccer-themed extracurricular club at their school. The club will provide customized programs and services for players who may or may not be part of a soccer club. The goal of the program is to promote fun, inclusive and accessible soccer.
“This initiative is really exciting, and I am thrilled that, after a year of careful planning, it is finally launching,” said Hoberman, Founder and Manager of the NJYS Student Ambassador Program. “After learning from NJYS for nearly two years, I have not only seen the inner workings of NJYS and come to understand the youth soccer landscape, but also recognize opportunities for this organization to increase accessibility to the sport.
“As I liaised with David Ricca on the ITG Grant Initiative and connected with soccer clubs in Newark and Jersey City, the opportunity within the sport became very clear, and I wanted to create a program to grow participation and foster a more inclusive soccer experience at the high school grassroots level. I was intrigued by the whitespace to connect the student body and NJYS because it provides a new means of engaging players that does not exist across the State of New Jersey. After months of brainstorming and collaboration, the Student Ambassador Program was born.”
The core of the Student Ambassador Program is an umbrella of three NJYS services:
In addition to these fun and inclusive services, the Student Ambassador Program also provides a scholarship opportunity for select ambassadors and a grant opportunity to help fund high school soccer programs.
“We look forward to a great first year with our two pilot programs, and we hope to leverage the scalability of this model in the future,” said Hoberman.
“I have been playing soccer for over 12 years now, and it is my passion,” said Eric Lusskin, who is a midfielder for PDA as well as a captain for WMC Varsity Soccer. “I am really excited to be able to share my love for the game and create opportunities for both students and athletes alike. I believe that, through this initiative, we will be able to promote accessible and affordable soccer, ultimately fostering growth within schools at the state and national levels.”
NJ Youth Soccer is motivated by this unique opportunity to increase membership and provide services by partnering with schools to access students who are not part of a soccer club. For more information on this initiative, please email communications@njyouthsoccer.com.