West Michigan Welcomes Fire Cadets
Program to focus on teaching the game at its earliest stage
 West Michigan Fire Website: www.westmichiganfire.com
Thursday, April 10
HOLLAND, MI – The Chicago Fire Juniors of Michigan are pleased to announce completion of the Player Development Pyramid with the addition of the Fire Cadets program. The Cadets program focuses on developing the next generation of soccer players beginning at ages three to eight. The CFJ - Michigan offer players within West Michigan a player development model that can take players from age three to the professional level, the Chicago Fire MLS team or the new Women’s Professional Soccer team.
“The addition of the Fire Cadets program allows our club to remain at the forefront of player development,” said Brock West, President of the Fire Juniors. “Adding this to our club completes the vertical integration the club was founded on.”
On the women’s side, the club offers aspiring young players the chance to participate in the W-League through the West Michigan Firewomen, a team that has been in existence for five years. With new head coach, Neathan Gibson, at the helm, the Firewomen are looking strong for the 2008 season.
The focus of the club’s W-League program is on developing local talent at the high school and collegiate levels. Having such a high level women’s team is a great way to foster excitement within the club’s youth by allowing them to watch the game of soccer live.
“Playing for the Fire Women is great,” said former Firewomen Captain and Director of Youth Development for CFJ-Michigan, Courtney Nash. “The training is demanding with great benefits for young upcoming players.”
With the addition of the Super Y-League three years ago, the CFJ’s are able to offer a year round development program for players at the highest level of competition. The last three summers, the club has held teams ranging from age groups U13 – U18 that compete in the USL Super Y-League, with a climax of sending our first team to the North American Finals last year.
“Our Super Y-League program continues to grow by drawing in talented players from within our own club, the West Michigan area, and across Michigan,” said Aaron Daane, Director of the CFJ’s Super Y-League Program. We look forward to this upcoming season.”
On the boys side, CFJ’s sent five players to compete as a part of the Chicago Fire team in the MLS all star tournament for MLS youth teams. CFJ’s boys had a great showing, posting two wins, a tie and one loss. It was a great experience for all those that participated in the event and one of the many benefits for our players being tied to a professional club like Chicago.
Those players, along with many others, will also participate on “Generation Red” all star teams within all the Chicago Fire Juniors affiliates. These teams will enter into nationally ranked tournaments within the US, as well as tournaments overseas again providing further opportunities for those players with high aspirations.
The Chicago Fire Juniors – Michigan is committed to providing the very best opportunities to develop players at all ages and all levels to reach their fullest potential – at the Fire, the player is the focus of our club, as demonstrated by our Player Pyramid of Development.
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