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Ricochet · 23-09-2003, 05:25 PM

http://www.turfmonster.com/articles/?ID=4&ArticleID=968

Chicago sign unique development deal

Chicago Fire general manager Peter Wilt has signed a deal to expand the club's foothold in youth development by bringing West Michigan Edge soccer club on board.

Effective immediately, the West Michigan Edge (WME) will become the Official Academy Program for the Chicago Fire in West Michigan, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Traverse City. The agreement marks the first of its kind in the United States.

"We are looking to expand the Fire's presence and assist with youth soccer development throughout the region," said Peter Wilt. "Establishing this partnership is an important step in the process of expanding our player identification and development plans.

"This partnership has the potential to develop into a true satellite program of the Chicago Fire Juniors, which we launched earlier this year.

"Ian (McMahon) has a very good soccer background and we are confident that combining resources will result in a very high quality youth development program in West Michigan as well as a way to grow the Fire's fan support in the Midwest."

In addition to the Chicago Fire Juniors, a broad ranged youth soccer club hosted by the Wheaton Park District, the Fire also created the Chicago Fire Academy. The Fire Academy was launched in April 2001 and works in conjunction with the Chicagoland area's top youth soccer clubs to supplement the training that the area's best players receive at their club.

The Academy develops players based on the values and principles of the Chicago Fire through the fostering of good citizenship, interaction with players and coaches and the setting of high standards of behaviour.

"The Edge has the same player development pyramid or vertical integration model, from the beginning recreational player to the professional level, that I believe the Fire is developing," said West Michigan Edge president and GM Ian McMahon. "Around the rest of the world, it is the professional club's responsibility to develop youth.

"This partnership shows that the Fire is leading the way in the USA with this and developing a model that I feel others will ultimately copy and implement."

23-09-2003, 05:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ricochet TS Member Favourite Team: USMNT, Manchester United Ricochet is Offline Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York Posts: 4,405 vCash: 500 Rep: Rep Points: 698 Country:	Chicago sign unique development deal http://www.turfmonster.com/articles/?ID=4&ArticleID=968 Chicago sign unique development deal Chicago Fire general manager Peter Wilt has signed a deal to expand the club's foothold in youth development by bringing West Michigan Edge soccer club on board. Effective immediately, the West Michigan Edge (WME) will become the Official Academy Program for the Chicago Fire in West Michigan, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Traverse City. The agreement marks the first of its kind in the United States. "We are looking to expand the Fire's presence and assist with youth soccer development throughout the region," said Peter Wilt. "Establishing this partnership is an important step in the process of expanding our player identification and development plans. "This partnership has the potential to develop into a true satellite program of the Chicago Fire Juniors, which we launched earlier this year. "Ian (McMahon) has a very good soccer background and we are confident that combining resources will result in a very high quality youth development program in West Michigan as well as a way to grow the Fire's fan support in the Midwest." In addition to the Chicago Fire Juniors, a broad ranged youth soccer club hosted by the Wheaton Park District, the Fire also created the Chicago Fire Academy. The Fire Academy was launched in April 2001 and works in conjunction with the Chicagoland area's top youth soccer clubs to supplement the training that the area's best players receive at their club. The Academy develops players based on the values and principles of the Chicago Fire through the fostering of good citizenship, interaction with players and coaches and the setting of high standards of behaviour. "The Edge has the same player development pyramid or vertical integration model, from the beginning recreational player to the professional level, that I believe the Fire is developing," said West Michigan Edge president and GM Ian McMahon. "Around the rest of the world, it is the professional club's responsibility to develop youth. "This partnership shows that the Fire is leading the way in the USA with this and developing a model that I feel others will ultimately copy and implement." __________________ "Everyone on this forum is dumber for having read this post."