July’s GMC Challenge Cup tournament to benefit the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome
NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ– Soccer superstar Tim Howard looks back fondly on his days of youth sports in his hometown of North Brunswick. Over the years, he’s used his celebrity to bring positive awareness to Tourette Syndrome and the work of the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome (NJCTS). Today, North Brunswick soccer is honoring their native son by donating proceeds from the upcoming GMC Challenge Cup tournament to NJCTS.
The annual 11 vs. 11 high school tournament is led by North Brunswick Township High School coach Paul Liddy.
“Our student athletes understand and are very well aware of [Tim Howard’s] accomplishments as a professional soccer player,” said Liddy. “More importantly, they understand his contributions and continued support of NJCTS.”
In a recent episode of the Disney XD series “Becoming” Howard discusses the start of his soccer career as a child and teen in North Brunswick. He credits his coaches there with understanding and harnessing his budding talent. Howard has spoken publicly about his life with Tourette Syndrome (TS), a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary movements known as tics.
“It only seemed natural that the boys soccer program continue to be involved with an organization that Tim Howard has so ardently supported,” Liddy said.
Howard has been involved with NJCTS since 2000, and in the years since, NJCTS has delivered several trainings and outreach programs to North Brunswick schools.
“We’re delighted that North Brunswick soccer is continuing in Tim’s footsteps,” said NJCTS Executive Director Faith W. Rice. “Just as we’re so proud of Tim, we’re proud of the student athletes in this tournament who are using their talent and passion to raise awareness for their peers with TS.”
The tournament will take place on Saturday, July 16th beginning at 8 a.m. at Community Park in North Brunswick. Boys and girls teams will be playing and include squads from JP Stevens high school, Sayreville, Robbinsville, Spotswood, Mount Olive, South Brunswick and North Brunswick, where Liddy hopes the student athletes will leave with an understanding of the disorder that affects as many as 1 in 100 children.
“Although they may have heard of TS, I hope they come away with a better awareness of what Tim Howard experienced as a young man, as well as the thousands who afflicted with this disorder,” said Liddy.
The public is invited to attend and cheer for their home teams and learn about TS and the work of the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome.
For more information about Tourette Syndrome and NJCTS, call 908-575-7350 or visit www.njcts.org.
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NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders, Inc.
Collaborative partnerships for the Tourette Syndrome community