Learn more: fcbuffalo.org/youth
FC Buffalo is excited to add proven development professional and former professional player Ryan DiNunzio to its ranks following last week’s launch of the FC Buffalo Youth Academy.
DiNunzio joins with a wealth of experience and was introduced to the club by women’s first team coach Nikki Bartholomew, who is leading our club’s youth soccer efforts and works with DiNunzio at local non-profit Algonquin Sports for Kids. DiNunzio will be involved with the club at large in an evolving role but immediately takes on management of community programming and the expanding partnership with non-profit Algonquin Sports for Kids, where he is executive director, along with the oversight of soccer operations for the youth program.
“I am extremely excited for this opportunity that Nick is offering,” DiNunzio said. “It is a great time to be joining the organization. There is a bright future ahead; As a Buffalo native, how can I not be excited to help build the club of our city and community?”
DiNunzio comes to FC Buffalo with a wealth of experience. At Algonquin Sports for Kids, he leads a non-for-profit that strives to provide access and opportunity in sport for underserved communities and helps empower kids to become agents of change. He has served players as a youth/technical director and coach in a variety of soccer clubs locally in Western New York, North Carolina, and New Hampshire. Prior to engaging in the youth space, DiNunzio coached at the collegiate level on the men’s side for UNC Charlotte and Pfeiffer University and spent six-seasons playing professionally in the USL and MISL. A native Buffalonian, he was All-WNY at Canisius High School and went on to captain the University of New Hampshire men’s team.
“Ryan’s passion for the game and our area stands out and we’ve built a solid bond over the past two years,” Mendola said. “I am very excited to see what Ryan, Nikki, and their growing network brings Buffalo soccer in the future.”
DiNunzio is excited to be a part of a club with two strong first team staffs.
“They set the tempo and create the beat of the culture of the club,” he said. “I really am excited to work with Nikki on the youth side, as we are both individuals who are supremely focused on player development. As we grow as a club, we want to focus on growing the game as a whole in Buffalo, and helping the growth of as many players as possible.”
To learn more about the FC Buffalo Youth, visit www.fcbuffaloacademy.org, or join us for the Open House/Turf Information Session on Monday, June 5 at 6pm at Tapestry Charter School Athletic Complex, located at 111 Great Arrow Ave in Buffalo.
The FC Buffalo women square off tonight at Williamsville South HS at 7:00p against Flower City 1872.
