REDS LINK UP WITH AMERICAN JUNIOR LEAGUE

Paul Rogers 15 March 2007 Liverpool Football Club has announced it has formed an affiliation with the Long Island Junior Soccer League in New York.

Formed in 1966 as a non-profit educational organisation, the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) is now one of the largest youth football leagues in America and the first to form an association with a top European club. The link up between the Reds and the LIJSL will enable more than 70,000 children and thousands of volunteer coaches of LIJSL to have direct access to Liverpool's expertise; LIJSL players will be able to attend the Liverpool Academy, coaches will be able to visit and attend classes at the Academy and Liverpool will send coaches to the States to teach LIJSL coaches. On Friday night a video message from Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard was aired at the league's Annual Convention. "On behalf of the Liverpool Football Club I would like to express how excited we are for the opportunity to develop a relationship with the LIJSL," claimed Gerrard. "Both of our organisations have long traditions and a history to be proud of and I am confident that all LIJSL players, whether they be playing for fun or in an elite development program, will prosper in some way.” The alliance, put in place by Steve Heighway, is backed by adidas, sponsors of both Liverpool and the LIJSL. "This strategic alliance will allow Liverpool FC to extend their brand in the US through one of the most influential youth leagues in America, while allowing the LIJSL to learn from one of the most successful clubs in the world," said Aaron Barrett of adidas America.