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Online Registration Begins Today for Abby Wambach Youth Soccer Clinics Scheduled for September 4-7

SCHENECTADY, N.Y., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- MVP Health Care and its operating subsidiary, Preferred Care, announced today that registration opens at noon for Abby Wambach's youth soccer clinics scheduled for September 4-7 in the Hudson Valley,Albany,Syracuse andRochester. All registrations will be online at the health plans' KidPower Web sites, www.MVPKidPower.com and www.PCKidPower.com. On the home page, just click on the link to registration.

The Abby Wambach Youth Soccer Clinics are scheduled as follows, and all registrations must be made online at the KidPower Web sites.

           Thursday, September 4        Hudson Valley Sports Dome
                     6:30-8:30 p.m.     240 Milton Tnpk. Milton, NY

           Friday, September 5          Afrim's, Latham
                     7:00-9:00 p.m.     4 Jacqueline Avenue, Latham, NY

           Saturday, September 6        The Central NY Family Sports Centre
                     1:00-3:00 p.m.     7201 Jones Road, Syracuse, NY

           Sunday, September 7          Rochester Institute of Technology
                     1:00-3:00 p.m.     Gordon Field House
                                        One Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY

"My rehabilitation program has been progressing very well, and I am thrilled that I will be able to participate in these youth soccer clinics," Wambach said. "And, while I am disappointed that I was not able to be a part of the U.S. National Team's Olympic Medal efforts, I am so very proud of the team's performance. It is great that they will be playing for the Gold Medal tomorrow. I wish I could be with them. I will be watching and cheering for them and for a win. I look forward to being with my Upstate New York fans in early September."

"Abby Wambach is proving once again what a great role model she is for youth, in this case a role model for how to deal with adversity," said David Henderson, MVP's executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "We are thrilled that her rehabilitation is going so well and that she will be able to be with us this fall." Additional clinics will be scheduled forVermont andNew Hampshire in early October. Details of those clinics are still being finalized.

"It is the objective of MVP Health Care and Preferred Care to include as many young people as possible at these Abby Wambach Soccer Clinics," Henderson said. "So, we are asking that those who are requesting tickets limit their requests to the number of young people in their family who are certain to be able to attend." He emphasized that there is an absolute limit of four per registration.

Preferred Care began its relationship with Wambach early in 2004. Later that year, she scored the Gold Medal winning goal at the 2004 Olympic Games. Wambach has conducted youth soccer clinics, reaching more than 6,000 young people beginning in the fall of 2004. In 2007, the clinics were expanded to reach youth in the Capital District andSyracuse. The 2008 schedule of clinics is the first to include an appearance in the Hudson Valley,Vermont andNew Hampshire.

EDITORS' NOTE: HEAR ABBY WAMBACHS THOUGHTS ON WINNING GOLD IN 2004

As the U.S. Women's Soccer Team heads into a gold medal rematch againstBrazil inBeijing August 21, check out a podcast of Abby Wambach talking about winning the 2004 gold medal inAthens. Though, Abby won't be playing with the team this year due to an injury right before this year's Olympics, the star soccer player won't be sidelined for long.

Next month, Wambach will be traveling aroundNew York State teaching youth soccer clinics in the Hudson Valley,Albany,Syracuse andRochester for MVP Health Care and its operating subsidiary, Preferred Care.

In addition to her memories ofAthens, Wambach also has good advice for young athletes on following their dreams. Check out the podcast at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP547KrjmsQ

For more video from Abby Wambach, including soccer tips, visit www.MVPKidPower.com and www.PCKidPower.com.

SOURCE MVP Health Care