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Hibernians partners with PDA to take Mercer soccer to next level
By rich Fisher direction,” McKeown said. “There is a the next step needed to be taken and a the PDA-Hibernians moniker.
tremendous opportunity given the staff club with academy affiliation had to be McKeown feels the Hibernians poten-
The Hibernian Athletic Association has that has been assembled to bring a pro- established locally. The Hibos’ numbers, tial to draw outstanding area players
long been a recognizable force in New Jer- gram that will attract and retain talented along with numerous other organiza- makes it a viable partner.
sey travel soccer, and the Hibos are now players from that community.” tions, have dropped substantially since “We recognize that there is a lot of
making one of the biggest and notewor- Travel soccer was once the bench- academy soccer came along. talent in the (Mercer County) area and
thy leaps in the history of the program. mark for players, with teams going to “Our long-range goal is to make our envision someday that the Hibernian
On Aug. 1, Rutgers coach and 1985 surrounding towns to compete and field an academy-level field, show off the program can be as successful as the PDA
Steinert graduate Dan Donigan officially sharpen their skills for high school. But Hibernian club and bring quality soccer parent club,” he said. “We will be able to
becomes the technical advisor of the these days, high school games don’t to the Mercer County area and try to get offer the highest level of competition for
Players Development Academy-Hiber- draw college scouts nearly as much as rid of this fragmented state we have in exceptional players that wish to partici-
nians, which begins its first season of 15 years ago. In the ever-changing envi- our area,” Donigan said. “There’s a lot pate in the Development Academy.”
operation. In a nutshell, the Hibernians ronment of youth sports, academy soc- of different clubs but not one great club. As the PDA-Hibernians transition to
have inherited what was known as PDA- cer offers players the best chance to be I’m trying to create a club that I’m proud their new status, several Hibos teams
South, and will now give its members a seen by college coaches as it puts top- of that kids can gravitate to and play at a will still play traditional travel soccer this
path to playing academy soccer by align- flight talent on the field, plays national very high level—an academy level. year. Donigan plans on working with
ing with one of New Jersey’s—and argu- competition and draws the most intense “Having grown up around here and DeAngelo and Ancient Order of Hiberni-
ably the nation’s—top clubs. interest from recruiters. been able to play on some great teams ans President Vince McKelvey to make
“This is an extremely positive move,” “The landscape of youth soccer has and some great clubs, particularly the everyone happy.
said Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo, become more and more competitive, Hibos club, I was given a tremendous “The first thing Vince and the trustees
now in his sixth year with the Hibernian and PDA has a tremendous reputation,” opportunity by PDA and the Hibos to want to make sure of is the stability of the
Athletic Association and second year Donigan said. “Since I’ve come back to basically use their club and their facili- existing HAA teams that are still here,”
as president. “We’re one of the oldest New Jersey (after coaching at the Uni- ties to expand the PDA brand into Mer- Donigan said. “I’m the middle man. I
soccer clubs in Mercer County, hope- versity of St. Louis) I’ve wanted to create cer County. We’re providing a great stage need the PDA, but I’m also very protec-
fully this is going to take the Hiberni- a platform for not only my own kids (who for kids in the area to play for a great club tive and loyal with the Hibernians. This is
with a great reputation and a great image. why this has been able to work out. They
ans to the next level. Joining a nationally are 5 and 8), but also for kids from Ham-
HGSA Registration Ad 9-15_HGSA Registration Ad 8-12 9/22/2015 1:09 PM Page 1
known club like PDA, it’s nothing but ilton and Mercer County. I’ve always felt We’re also hoping this does something know I’m working for both of them, and I
positive growth for Mercer County, the we’ve been pretty fragmented around for the Hibernian Club at the same time, have their best interests in mind.”
Hibernians and area youth soccer.” here when it comes to club soccer.” to bring in potential members.” They will be mostly girls’ travel teams
It’s not a bad move for PDA, either, In other words, some kids play in There are 15 boys’ teams in the first remaining, as there are no PDA-Hiber-
according to executive director Gerry South Jersey, some go down the shore official PDA-Hibernians season. Five are nian girls’ clubs this year. Donigan and
McKeown. and some head north, because there new sides Donigan has formed—2003, Debbie Carr, who runs the girls’ pro-
“We are excited about the partnership was no true quality club that offered ’04, ’06, ’08 and ’09 teams—that will play gram, are fairly certain that will come
HAMILTON GIRLS SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION
because of the history of the Hiberni-
academy opportunities in Mercer. That’s home games at the Hibos. The other in the future. Especially considering the
ans club, and we want to help in any way not a knock on all the outstanding travel 10 are existing teams from PDA-South, outstanding female talent that PDA has
possible to restore that legacy and move programs Mercer produced over the which will continue to play at the pro-
forward in a stronger and more positive years, but it’s a sign of the times that gram’s Westampton complex but under produced since forming in 1998.
“The PDA girls’ side is probably, if
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