This article is sponsored by New Jersey Pride Football Club.
Young athletes can hone their soccer skills at a new high-quality training academy. New Jersey Pride Football Club, based in Montclair and Verona, provides fun weekly soccer classes for kids ages 2 to 7 and private lessons for children, high schoolers, and semi-pros. In addition to the weekly classes, NJ Pride FC plans to launch competitive youth teams within the next three years. Keep reading to learn more about NJ Pride FC in Northern New Jersey and how to enroll your child.
Fun Weekly Soccer Classes
Athletes as young as 2 can enroll in weekly soccer classes with NJ Pride FC. These classes are designed to help kids improve gross motor skills, balance, + coordination while also learning the game and having fun.
The fall season starts on September 21st and takes place Saturdays and Sundays. Weekly classes for ages 2 to 7 are currently held in Montclair and Verona, but parents can request new classes in their area.
“Seeing children enjoy the game I love is always a blessing, but my purest joy is in seeing a child progress within a specific skill that they’ve committed to learning,” David Echevarria, co-owner of NJ Pride Football Club and a former semi-professional player, told The Montclair Girl.
Classes typically run from 9AM-9:35AM for 2 to 3-year-olds, 9:40AM-10:20AM for 3 to 4-year-olds, 10:25AM-11:10AM for 4 to 5-year-olds, and 11:15AM-12:15PM for 6 to 7-year-olds.
Each class holds up to 12 students, which allows every participant to get individualized attention and guidance. Parents can enroll their kids online for the entire season or just for the dates that fit their schedules. Every child who enrolls gets a free NJ Pride t-shirt each season.
“We provide all of the equipment, parents only need to bring water. We encourage parents and children to arrive 5 minutes early to sign in and get settled,” David said.
High-Quality Training from Experienced Coaches
NJ Pride FC is a place for young athletes to develop skills and find a clear path to the pros. The passionate, experienced coaches provide high-quality training for athletes of all ages + skill levels.
“I’ve been coaching soccer for over 20 years now. I’ve trained multiple professional athletes, college athletes, high school athletes, and children as young as two years old,” David said.
David, who has a background in biomechanics, runs a fitness company and physical therapy practice with his wife, Dr. Ashley Twynam PT, DPT, who is a doctor of physical therapy and a former college soccer player. David and Dr. Ashley are two of the three owners of NJ Pride FC.
“Between her background and mine, we are able to create engaging class structures that break down the movements of the game in a way that helps kids to learn and enhance both fine and gross motor skills,” David said.
The third owner, Tossin Olugbenga, is a mutual friend of David and Dr. Ashley. David and Tossin studied engineering together at Stevens Institute of Technology. The trio started a weekly pickup soccer league almost a decade ago + have years of experience playing and coaching together.
“I think our background as coaches, as fitness and movement experts, and as players set apart our training standards,” David said.
All About New Jersey Pride FC
NJ Pride FC is one of the state’s premier soccer training academies. Classes + camps are available for athletes from 2 years old to pros.
The academy plans to launch competitive boys + girls youth teams for ages U9 to U19 in the next three years. Within ten years, the academy hopes to help bring a professional soccer team to New Jersey that represents the state with pride.
“New Jersey has a long history of producing some of the best sports talent in history, yet every team that plays here (except the NJ Devils) chooses to represent New York,” David said.
Community, responsibility, teamwork, integrity, and intention are some of the values instilled in the NJ Pride FC athletes and coaches. The teams will actively participate in the community + engage in charity events.
“Ultimately, we want to change the way that American soccer is viewed, and we want to do that right here in New Jersey,” David said.
New Jersey Pride FC is based in Montclair and Verona. You can email [email protected] with questions.
