Illinois Youth Soccer teams up with Storm

Illinois Youth Soccer and the Chicago Storm, the professional indoor soccer team, have reached a partnership agreement that will focus on training for coaches and also offer IYSA members the opportunity to purchase season tickets at reduced prices.

"The Chicago Storm are an integral part of the soccer community, and I definitely feel this partnership is going to be mutually beneficial," IYSA executive director Mary Jane Bender said. "This gives players and coaches the opportunity to see talented professionals playing indoors, and I'm excited about this type of relationship."

Illinois Youth Soccer will host coaching courses prior to Storm home games on Jan. 4, Feb. 28, March 1 and April 5. The courses will include tickets to the Storm games and pre-game and post-game sessions with Storm head coach Steve Morris.

"It will be an opportunity for them to pick my brain a little bit, whether it's about soccer in general or indoor specific," Morris said of the IYSA coaching courses. "I'm looking forward to working close with their director of coaching, Ian Mulliner. This will be a great experience for me. As a coach, it allows me to keep my finger on the pulse of the movement within youth soccer."

"I'm sure coaches will pick up some valuable organizational tips from the way the game's managed, how players are moved in and out, when players stay in a little longer, and the reasons for quick shift turnarounds," said Mulliner of the IYSA.

Illinois Youth Soccer members can also purchase season tickets with a percentage of sales going to help fund IYSA programs such as the inner city programs and ODP.

Information about the coaching courses can be found on the Coaching Education page of www.illinoisyouthsoccer.org.

The Storm's 2008-2009 XSL season kicks off with a road game at New Jersey on Dec. 14. Chicago's home opener takes place at 7 p.m. Dec. 20, against Milwaukee, at the Sears Centre Arena.