Flushing, NY – Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) partnered with the NASL Champions, New York Cosmos, on Thursday afternoon to offer free soccer clinics at P.S. 120.

Thursday’s session was one of three soccer clinics that the club has run at the school to highlight the importance of promoting physical education in New York City schools. More than 30 students were able to hone their skills with midfielders Danny Szetela and Eric Calvillo and striker Lucky Mkosana in the clinics run by the club’s Training and Development Program coaches.

“I am proud to team up with the NY Cosmos to bring free soccer clinics to P.S. 120 so that students can further their learning and development outside the classroom. As budget cuts continue to strain programming in NYC schools in areas such as the arts, foreign language, and physical education, it is important that we invest in alternatives that make these vital resources available to our local communities,” said Rozic.

“Community engagement and youth development are a top priority for us, and we are honored to have the opportunity to connect with students not just in Queens, but throughout all five boroughs and beyond,” said New York Cosmos Chief Operating Officer, Erik Stover. “Our players and coaches understand the positive impact soccer can have on young people in our local communities. Through these fun and challenging clinics, we help youngsters develop skills both on and off the pitch.”

“Growing up I loved playing sport all the time and at school physical education was one of my favorite subjects,” said Cosmos midfielder Danny Szetela. “It’s important that kids know how to live a healthy life, everything from the food you eat to how you can stay active is knowledge that you learn at school and use forever.”

“The clinics have been a wonderful opportunity for our students to play soccer and be active. During Assemblywoman Rozic’s last visit, I expressed an interest in expanding the types of sports and activities that are offer to students and she quickly put us in touch with the New York Cosmos organization. I’m also working with the student council to hopefully start a school soccer club in the coming weeks,” said P.S. 120 Principal Robert Marino.

Recent administration and faculty changes after a disagreement between the community and the school caused new Principal Robert Marino to seek extracurricular activities for his school outside of traditional means. This partnership serves as a bridge to gap the lack of physical and arts based education that our schools so desperately need.

The final clinic, in this series, will be on Friday, March 11th at P.S. 120. For more information on the New York Cosmos and for upcoming clinics, please visit the NY Cosmos Web site.

About the Cosmos

The New York Cosmos are reigning champions of the North American Soccer League (NASL), having captured their second league title in three seasons and seventh overall on Nov. 15, 2015.

The Cosmos began play in 1971, spending 14 seasons in the NASL, winning five Soccer Bowl trophies and bringing some of the biggest names in world soccer to the USA.