City of Raleigh News Release - ROCKS Soccer

Jayne Kirkpatrick, Director, Public Affairs
Prepared by: Christopher Riley, Senior Public Affairs Specialist
    
For More Information: Dana Youst, City of Raleigh Northern District COG Coordinator, 919-831-6688

April 18, 2012

City of Raleigh and Capital Area Soccer League Announce ROCKS Soccer Program

The City of Raleigh and the Capital Area Soccer League have announced a joint partnership for the new “Raleigh Organized Community Kids Soccer” or ROCKS soccer program.  

Raleigh Organized Community Kids Soccer will begin with four, U-12 aged co-ed teams.  The teams will be lead by staff members of the City of Raleigh Police and Parks and Recreation Departments as a part of the City’s Community Oriented Government initiative. ROCKS will serve Raleigh’s youth in high-risk areas.  

“Working with the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department to provide more positive activities for our youth is a direct mission of the City Raleigh’s Community Oriented Government,” adds Harry Dolan, Police Chief.  “With our officers acting as coaches, the guidance from our Parks and Recreation Department and Capital Area Soccer League’s staff, and our communities working together, this program is a win-win for all involved.”

 Founded in 1974, the Capital Area Soccer League has been involved in youth recreational soccer for almost 40 years in Wake County and surrounding areas.  With close to 8000 youth players seasonally, Capital Area Soccer League is consistently recognized as one of the largest full service soccer clubs in the United States and is a leader in soccer programming.  “Globally, soccer has a remarkable ability to unite people and communities,” said Charlie Slagle, Capital Area Soccer League chief executive officer.  “We are honored to be involved with the program and are hopeful we can grow and include more youth in the very near future.”


 “We are pleased and completely engaged in our partnership with Capital Area Soccer League” states Diane Sauer, director of the City Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department.  “We’ve had a long standing relationship with Capital Area Soccer League. By using our combined resources, we think we can offer a great option for the youth in these identified areas.  Capital Area Soccer League’s initial investment of almost $20,000 on registration, uniforms, staff training and equipment will go a long way serving Raleigh’s youth.”  

Games will be played at Brentwood Community Center with practice sites throughout Raleigh’s open space parks. Teams also will participate in the Capital Area Soccer League Recreational Cup in May. For more information, Dana Youst at 919- 831-6688 or visit the Capital Area Soccer League website www.caslnc.com and City of Raleigh website at www.raleighnc.gov