THE BRIDGE
the program
Our Head Coach and Founder Patrick Tardieu, former captain of the Haitian National team and professional soccer player, is using his thirty years of relationships and friendships in the world of soccer to create a once in a lifetime experience for the next generation of soccer players in the United States.
Patrick knows first hand what it was like to meet the stars and future world champions of France when he walked through the doors at the prestigious FC Nantes as a teenager integrating into their youth academy. That experience allowed him to not only learn but realize his dreams could one day be a reality.
The memories have inspired Patrick to create THE BRIDGE Program.
"Be careful what you dream..."
BRIDGING
DREAMS
"Be careful what you dream..."
PST has teamed up with soccer stars of Europe to create an unprecedented experience in the US soccer world. PST wants to convey the message that "dreams can become reality" and encourages its players to do just that: "dream big; the stars are attainable". THE BRIDGE Program brings the "stars" of soccer from the major leagues of Europe, and South America, to meet and inspire the youth of our local communities.
THE
OBJECTIVE
1. The true magic of this program is that it gives kids of all walks of life and economic backgrounds the ability to see and experience their heroes in 3D (LIVE, up close & personal)
Soccer, though wildly popular here in the US, offers very few opportunities when it comes to experiencing the stars of Europe’s top 5 leagues until they are ready to come to the MLS, usually once they are past their prime. PST will bring in stars from the world’s most prestigious clubs to train and speak with the kids in order to inspire and teach - when these kids find out their idols are “human” just like them, then it makes it easier for them to also reach the same goals. In identifying common struggles and passion with a pro who has made it to the highest level of the sport they love and play themselves, the kids will believe they can do it too.
Diego Armando Maradona, Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Sadio Mane, Naby Keita, just to name a few, are all past and present soccer superstars who have all come from very humble beginnings to rise to stardom. They dared to dream…
​
2. THE BRIDGE seeks to create a movement where strong, positive successful soccer stars guests contribute to change the mindset of our local communities kids by encouraging them to believe the “unattainable” can become “attainable”.
3. THE BRIDGE will offer deserving youth talents from underprivileged areas or academies (eg. Little Haiti, Little Havana, Overtown, Allapattah, Homestead…) the possibility to attend through special sponsorship programs. This avenue could ultimately be a conduit that also positively impacts the US Soccer landscape by reintroducing those kids that have been removed from the talent pool of the “pay-to-play” soccer into the circuit.
​​
4. In so doing we will develop and prepare kids to become CONFIDENT, COMPETENT and CARING future leaders.
THE
VISION
Creating a new dynamic pathway with a "dare to dream mentality" that makes our youth participants' dreams and goals attainable and enables our inner city and affluent communities kids alike to develop together as footballers and leaders.
THE
OVERVIEW
The selected guest player(s) from Europe’s top 5 leagues will be flown in from their respective city to Miami where they will enjoy a stay at an illustrious South Florida’s foremost luxury resort where they can enjoy everything the area has to offer. From there, we will have media covering the event, including at least one one-on-one sit-down interview at the resort with the players. Further coverage will be taken of the training camps to create future marketing content for all parties involved.
BRIDGES GO BOTH WAYS
The Bridge Program will select the most promising player(s) whom attended and demonstrated the technical, physical and mental abilities required to succeed at the highest level of youth academy football (soccer) to travel and train with a European club’s academy. These select few will not only get to live out their dream, but be exposed to all of the opportunities presented by walking through the doors of a football (soccer) powerhouse and experience what it is like to play at the European level.
We will track the chosen players’ progress, document their experience and provide any feedback from the European academy to help push the young athletes in the right direction when they return home!