Tottenham Hotspur Football Club has formed a unique youth soccer partnership as part of its continued drive to develop grassroots soccer in the US.
Tallahassee United has changed its name to Tallahassee Tottenham Hotspur and will adopt the Premier League club’s world renowned coaching philosophy in a four-year agreement.
To celebrate the partnership, the Governing Body of the City of Tallahassee proclaimed Wednesday July 30, 2014, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club Day, displaying the Florida capital’s support for the initiative and the benefits it will bring to sports participation in the community.
Tottenham Hotspur will base a member of its Global Coaching team in Tallahassee to provide the team with full-time support on the ground to ensure and maintain high standards, overseeing player development using methods based around a philosophy of stylish, attacking football.
Tallahassee Tottenham Hotspur players will feel even more attached to the Club by playing matches in the world famous kit worn by the likes of Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen.
Commenting on the announcement of the partnership, Head of Tottenham Hotspur Global Coaching, Grant Cornwell MBE, said:
“We are delighted to launch our partnership with Tallahassee. Tottenham Hotspur Global Coaching aims to create and deliver the best learning environment to encourage and develop the skills and techniques of young players throughout the world. With our innovative programmes, we are creating pathways and opportunities for young players and coaches associated with Tallahassee. Our Global Coaching team works across the world to develop young players and educate coaches, getting across a unique philosophy the Club has always prided itself on – attacking football played with style and flair. This partnership is a real investment into the grassroots of US soccer and a fantastic opportunity for both organisations.”
Alex Minton, Director of Coaching for Tallahassee Tottenham Hotspur, added:
“We are looking forward to continuing our philosophy of developing players by having access to coaching best practices and implementing Tottenham Hotspur’s philosophy. We feel that investing in our coaches will result in helping our players develop to their fullest potential.”
Tottenham Hotspur’s Global Coaching programme has a proven track record of player development at grassroots level across the world, with long-term partnerships already established across North America with soccer associations in California, Maryland and Texas.
The programme operated successfully alongside the Club’s pre-season tour of the United States and Canada, which saw Tottenham Hotspur receive a tremendous amount of support from its growing fanbase in the region, which includes 30 Official Supporters Clubs – more than any other Premier League club.
The growing interest in Tottenham Hotspur was displayed by an audience of 383,000 viewers that watched the Club’s friendly with Chicago Fire on ESPN – the highest US television viewing figure out of all friendly matches played that weekend.
Meanwhile, the formation of Tallahassee Tottenham Hotspur represents a significant step in the Club’s continued efforts to develop grassroots soccer in the US, providing exceptional training opportunities while creating an integrated platform for players aged 4-18 to advance from recreation to competitive play, if they choose.
Robert Hosay, President of Tallahassee Tottenham Hotspur, commented:
“Our community is extremely excited about this partnership because it will help provide the highest quality training to all ages and all levels of players, as well as coaches. Having Tottenham Hotspur, an English Premier League team, invest in this community, is going to provide an incredible springboard for youth soccer in the greater Tallahassee region.”
Tallahassee Tottenham Hotspur is expanding access to soccer in the surrounding area, including access for players with special needs, bringing more families and teams together, and engaging over 1,000 youth soccer players.
