On the heels of the announcement that the FC Gold Pride Women's Professional Soccer Team has moved to Cal State East Bay, the FC Gold Pride announced today that Castro Valley Soccer Club has re-signed as a Pride Youth Soccer Partner for the 2010 season. 

CVSC was the first of six founding youth soccer clubs that partnered with the Pride in 2009, and again leads the way as the first club to sign for 2010, this time upgrading to a Premier Level Partnership.  As a Premier Youth Soccer Partner, CVSC will receive the highest level of Youth Soccer Partner benefits which include player appearances, game tickets and many other memorable game day experiences. 

"We are pleased to have the continued support of Castro Valley Soccer Club, our first founding Youth Soccer Partner from 2009," said Pride General Manager Ilisa Kessler. "The enthusiasm that CVSC has shown for the Pride and Women's Professional Soccer has been overwhelming.  We look forward to building upon the strong partnerships we have developed, welcoming new partners and continuing to support the growth and development of the youth soccer community."

The Youth Soccer Partnership program has succeeded by partnering with youth leagues and clubs to provide access to unique motivational and educational tools.  Youth Soccer Partnerships are designed to enhance the soccer experience of clubs, teams and individual players by providing opportunities that provide players, coaches and parent's knowledge and greater appreciation for the game of soccer.  Benefits include coaching and player clinics, FC Gold Pride player appearances, game tickets and access to many more exciting opportunities. The Pride offers partnerships at three levels that fit both clubs and individual team needs. 

"Our Youth Soccer Partnership with the Gold Pride was a fantastic experience last year," said Castro Valley Soccer Club President Sue Smith. "Our players and families had a great time at the games.  Participating in the pre-game parade, playing at halftime of a Gold Pride game and meeting the players for postgame autographs are experiences CVSC players will remember for a lifetime.  The success of last year's youth soccer partnership coupled with the Gold Pride's move closer to us really spurred us on to strengthen and expand our partnership with Gold Pride for the 2010 season."

As an extension of the relationship CVSC and the Pride have established over the past year, Castro Valley Soccer Club and its officials played a vital role in brokering an arrangement that allows the Pride to use Castro Valley High School Athletic Stadium as the team's temporary pre-season and early regular season home field. 

"Sue Smith and CVSC leadership have been first-rate," said Kessler. "They have welcomed us with open arms to the East Bay.  CVSC has truly shown that they're committed to our partnership and the success of Women's Professional Soccer.  They played an integral role in assisting us in securing a temporary home field at Castro Valley High School.

"We are very happy we could help bring the FC Gold Pride and Castro Valley Unified School District together," said Smith.  "Having the Gold Pride, Northern California's only women's professional sports team, play in our home town presents a tremendous opportunity not only for CVSC but for the School District and community as a whole.  Obviously, the Gold Pride players are great role models for our young soccer players, and the school district will also benefit financially from the Gold Pride's use of the high school.  And hosting WPS games in Castro Valley really puts our home town on the map."

The Pride will open its 2010 home schedule on Saturday, April 17, hosting reigning WPS Champions, Sky Blue FC at CVHS Athletic Stadium.