D.C. United announced today that in conjunction with AFC Ajax and the Royal Netherlands Embassy, the club will host a youth clinic on May 20 at 2:00 p.m. Between 60 and 80 elementary school children from United Soccer Club will participate in this 90-minute session at D.C. United’s training facility adjacent to RFK Stadium. Supported by D.C. United presenting partner Volkswagen and Ajax’s lead sponsor AEGON, the clinic will be attended by Dutch Ambassador Renée Jones-Bos. The clinic is set to take place prior to the first-ever meeting between United and Ajax, as the two clubs face one another in an international friendly at RFK Stadium on May 22 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
United’s Charlie Davies, Chris Pontius, and Bill Hamid will join club captain Dax McCarty in leading the clinic. Ajax players and 2010 FIFA World Cup finalists Maarten Stekelenburg, Gregory van der Wiel and Demy de Zeeuw will also participate in the clinic alongside former Ajax and U.S. National Team standout John O’Brien. Each player will be responsible for a coaching station.
“D.C. United is excited to join forces with Ajax, the Royal Netherlands Embassy, and our corporate partners to put on this clinic,” said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. “United Soccer Club is a program we’re proud of and we look forward to providing this opportunity for participating children.”
At Sunday’s friendly, Ambassador Jones-Bos will make the ceremonial opening kick-off.
“The Netherlands is working to boost opportunities for its young people to play sports. Our commitment to physical activity for youth extends beyond our borders. This D.C. United and Ajax soccer clinic sets an example that we hope will be replicated with MLS teams and AFC Ajax throughout the U.S.,” said Ambassador Jones-Bos.
Full event information is listed below.
Clinic participants:
D.C. United’s Dax McCarty, Charlie Davies, Chris Pontius, and Bill Hamid
Ajax and 2010 FIFA World Cup finalists Maarten Stekelenburg, Gregory van der Wiel and Demy de Zeeuw
Former Ajax and U.S. National Team standout John O’Brien
Dutch Ambassador to the United States Renée Jones-Bos
What: United Soccer Club youth clinic
When: Friday, May 20, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: RFK Stadium Training Fields
About United Soccer Club
United Soccer Club’s mission is to introduce the sport of soccer to youth in inner city and under-privileged communities of the greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. United Soccer Club (USC) partners with urban families, schools, recreation centers and community-based organizations in order to invest in the athletic, emotional and social welfare of the children living in the D.C Area. USC currently reaches more than 1,000 children at 12 under-served sites in the community.
About Volkswagen Group
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. VWoA sells the Eos, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2011 Volkswagen vehicles come standard-equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This is important because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.
For more information, please visit volkswagengroupamerica.com.
About AEGON
As an international life insurance, pension and asset management company, AEGON has businesses in over twenty markets in the Americas, Europe and Asia. AEGON companies employ approximately 27,500 people and serve some 40 million customers across the globe. AEGON uses its strength and expertise to create added value for customers, shareholders, employees, and the wider community. AEGON does this by encouraging innovation and by growing its businesses profitably and sustainably.
About the Royal Netherlands Embassy
For more than 400 years, the Netherlands and the United States have been joined by the values of freedom, justice and an entrepreneurial spirit. A vibrant economic force, the Netherlands is also the third largest investor in America and a reliable trade and investment partner to the U.S. The Royal Netherlands Embassy, Dutch Consulates General and Honorary Consuls in the U.S. promote strong bilateral relations between the United States and the Netherlands in the areas of peace and stability; international law; energy and climate; water management; international human rights; and creative industries. The Netherlands and the United States: Two countries, one spirit united by values, history and a vision of the future. dc.the-netherlands.org
