Good Shepherd Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley United & Lehigh Valley Topsoccer Partner to Present

NEWS RELEASE

Good Shepherd Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley United & Lehigh Valley TOPSoccer Partner to Present Soccer Clinic for Children with Disabilities June 11 at SteelStacks
Free event is part of activities at 2016 Lehigh Valley SoccerFest starting June 3

Bethlehem, PA--Good Shepherd Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley TOPSoccer and Lehigh Valley United are partnering to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children with disabilities to discover the thrill of soccer when they offer a free Good Shepherd Pediatrics Soccer Clinic at the Lehigh Valley SoccerFest & Viewing Party at SteelStacks this June. The clinic for ages 4-19 will take place June 11, 5 p.m., on PNC Plaza; parents and guardians may register their children at www.lvsoccerfest.com.

During the Good Shepherd Pediatrics Soccer Clinic, children will enjoy a fun-filled experience as they discover the excitement and challenges that make soccer the most popular sport in the world. Participants will receive one-on-one, personalized instruction from Lehigh Valley United players and coaches as they learn skills such as dribbling, passing and shooting. The session will last approximately 60 minutes and culminate with a simulated match during which children will experience thethrill of playing a game loved around the globe.

"Good Shepherd Pediatrics is thrilled to partner with the Lehigh Valley Unitedand TOPSoccer to bring a fun, free and engaging soccer experience to children with disabilities," says Jodie Moulton, Director, Outpatient Pediatrics, at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. "It is a unique opportunity for children to gain enthusiasm for the sport as well as an interest in fitness and recreation."

For 2016, Good Shepherd and Lehigh Valley United have partnered with Lehigh Valley TOPSoccer to expand opportunities for young people with physical and mental disabilities to learn about the sport. Founded in 2006, Lehigh Valley TOPSoccer is the only area club fully dedicated to offering soccer opportunities for children with special needs. Part of U.S Youth Soccer’s TOPSoccer initiative, the Lehigh Valley program is designed to help young athletes with disabilities become valued and successful members of programs such as the Lehigh Valley Youth Soccer League and Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer.

“The soccer clinic offered by Lehigh Valley United and sponsored by Good Shepherd at the 2016 SoccerFest is a wonderful opportunity for every child with a disability to experience the game of soccer in a fun environment,” says C.B. Ananthan, Founder and President of Lehigh Valley TOPSoccer. “The setting could not be more exciting – in front of the iconic SteelStacks in Bethlehem and right before the U.S. National Men’s Team plays the Paraguay national team in the Copa America Tournament. This opportunity is not to be missed.”

Lehigh Valley United Managing Director Rick Jacobs says, “Lehigh Valley United soccer club is excited to continue its partnership with Good Shepherd, ArtsQuest and TOPSocer at Lehigh Valley SoccerFest 2016. These are the kinds of relationships that strengthen the Lehigh Valley and all of the participating partners. We look forward to continuing this kind of work in the future."

The soccer clinic for children with disabilities is just one of the many activities at this year’s Lehigh Valley SoccerFest, which will coincide with the Copa America Centenario. The 2016 SoccerFest will feature all three U.S. opening round matches against Colombia on June 3 at 9:30 p.m., Costa Rica on June 7 at 8 p.m. and Paraguay on June 11 at 7 p.m. on a jumbo LED screen on SteelStacks’ Air Products Town Square. In addition, the festival will include family fun and programming such as soccer tennis, inflatables and merchandise, along with live music and food.

For more information on soccer clinic and SoccerFest, please visit www.lvsoccerfest.com.

About Good Shepherd Pediatrics
Good Shepherd Pediatrics provides the most specialized inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services in the area for babies, kids and teens. The expert physicians and therapists at Good Shepherd Pediatrics specialize in the treatment of acquired and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, feeding disorders, traumatic injuries, orthopedic/sports injuries and more. For more information, call 1-888-44-REHAB or visit www.GoodShepherdPediatrics.org.

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Contact:
Carry Gerber, Director of Marketing & Communications
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network
o: 610-776-3165
c: 484-747-0027

C.B.Ananthan, President and Coach

Lehigh Valley TOPSoccer Club

Tel# 610-391-1812