American Soccer Star Lorrie Fair and Internationally Recognized Coach Jay Miller to Conduct Soccer Clinics with Moroccan Youth
Rabat, March 28, 2008
Professional soccer star Lorrie Fair and renowned American coach Jay Miller will be traveling to Bouznika, Morocco to conduct a four-day soccer workshop on April 1-4, 2008 with Moroccan youth. These two world-class professionals were selected by the U.S. Soccer Federation to participate as Sports Envoys for the Department of State.
Members of the press are invited to an opening ceremony on April 1 at 2:30 p.m. at the Moulay Rachid complex in Bouznika, where representatives from the Ministry for Youth and Sports and the Deputy Chief of the U.S Mission, Robert P. Jackson, will preside. The press is also invited to the closing ceremony, which will take place following exhibition matches on April 4 at 5:00 p.m. In cooperation with the Moroccan Ministry of Youth and Sport, Ms. Fair and Mr. Miller will conduct a four-day workshop for Moroccan youth in basic soccer skills, such as passing, stopping, kicking, shooting, tackling, penalties, ball handling, extra time, off-sides, and the role of the referee. The 60 girls and boys participating (aged 14-17) will come from across Morocco, including Taroudant, Khenifra, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Zagora and Meknes. Their hometown coaches will also benefit from participation in the program. Considered to rank among the all-time greatest women soccer players, Lorrie Fair is a 29-year-old midfielder and defender who recently signed with England’s top-ranked Chelsea Ladies team. In 1999, she won fame in the United States when, at the age of 20, she became the youngest member of the U.S. National Team, which went on to win the World Cup. She was also a two-time former Olympian.
Ms. Fair has been an athlete ambassador for Right to Play, Chelsea’s Global Charity Partner, since 2006. She also the author of the 2003 book, "Fair Game," on soccer skills and playing tactics. When not on the field, she will be helping Chelsea’s football in its efforts to encourage more girls and women to play soccer and to improve their health and fitness. Coach Miller also brings years of experience to the field, with over 20 years of international coaching, training, and scouting experience. At present, he is the Executive Director of Coaching for the Atlanta Fire United Soccer Association, a club with over 4,000 members. He also serves as the head coach of the Region III Boys’ Olympic Development Program (ODP). Earlier in his career, Coach Miller was the USA Under-17 National Team Coach, USA Under-23 National Team Coach, and the interim coach of the U.S. National World Cup team. The Department of State’s SportsUnited Program is an international sports programming initiative designed to work at the grass roots level to assist non-elite youth, ages 7-17. The goal of the Moroccan program is both to bolster soccer skills and to help the athletes discover how participation in sports can foster the development of life skills and achievement in other areas. It is also meant to foster a spirit of international cooperation and goodwill. The SportsUnited Soccer Clinic will take place at the Moulay Rachid Complex in Bouznika, and is sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in collaboration with the Casablanca-based NGO Association Marocaine de Sport et Developpement. Media inquiries about the SportsUnited Soccer Clinic may be directed to U.S. Embassy Information Officer David Ranz, Tel: 061-17-12-52. ### |
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