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SOCCER IN THE STREETS Newsletter -
SUMMER 2003
"All you needed was a ball and a place to kick it. That's how
we started . we saw kids out there and would go to them and put
a ball in the middle and they'd start playing." - John Wilson
Jr., Program Director, Charleston, SC Soccer In The Streets
In this issue, read more about:
PRO-SOCCER IS PRO-ACTIVE ABOUT BRINGING THE GAME
AND EDUCATION TO INNER CITY KIDS
Involvement from professional clubs is becoming a key to inspiring
Soccer In The Streets kids
AT-RISK GIRLS RESPOND WITH ENTHUSIASM TO GOGIRLGO
PROJECT AND SOCCER TRAINING
The Women's Sports Foundation curriculum and Soccer In The Streets
implementation encourage fitness and positive life style for urban
girls
"STREET-CUP TOURNAMENT FEVER" BRINGS FUN AND COMPETITION
TO ATLANTA
The August events look to be bigger and better, offering good competition
and excellent experience for Soccer In The Streets kids
FOCUS ON YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT: LI'L PELES PROGRAM
OFFERS 20 YEAR VIEW OF SOCCER BENEFITS
Soccer In The Streets affiliate in Charleston, SC, demonstrates
the long-term positive outcomes and need for soccer in disadvantaged
neighborhoods
PEOPLE MAKING A DIFFERENCE: INTERNS GIVE A BIG
BOOST TO ATLANTA OFFICE
Four college students and one recent graduate generously give up
time during summer months to make a difference for kids
COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU: SOCCER IN THE STREETS
OFFERS AFFILIATE INFORMATION TO CITIES ACROSS THE U.S.
With the need greater than ever, the demand for new programs and
requests for information continues to grow
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SUMMER 2003
A quick look at what's coming up in the next few months
A SPECIAL THANKS TO SOME KEY PLAYERS: BREATHING
NEW LIFE INTO OLD EQUIPMENT
Many organizations, clubs and individuals are discovering the joys
of recycling their used soccer gear by donating it to Soccer In
The Streets
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The Atlanta Silverbacks hanging out at
the Soccer-Bus with the Keystone kids.
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Professional Soccer Is Proactive About Bringing
The Game And Education To Inner City Kids
Involvement from professional clubs is becoming a key to inspiring
Soccer In The Streets kids in various cities across the United States.
The contributions have ranged from player appearances and clinics,
to free tickets to games and even a customized mobile multi-media
education center. "The players are very enthusiastic about working
with the children," said A-League's Syracuse Salty Dogs coach Laurie
Calloway. "Many of our players believe they can make a difference
in a child's life by teaching soccer basics, teamwork, discipline
and responsibility."
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The Atlanta Beat's "Speed Kick"
was a hit at the Solidarity Carnival in Sandy Springs.
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The A-League (men's professional soccer) franchise in Atlanta,
the Silverbacks, have set a high standard by providing a specially
equipped vehicle, the Soccer-Bus, which goes into urban neighborhoods
in the Atlanta metro area to deliver life skills soccer lessons
and provide a venue for interacting with soccer role models and
coaches. Players come to weekly sessions on a regular basis to teach
and inspire kids involved in the Soccer In The Streets programs. When asked what they plan to be when they grow
up, Sandy Springs program participants Jorge and Juan both enthusiastically
respond, "A professional soccer player!"
Atlanta's female counterpart, Women's United Soccer League (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat, have also been a frequent supporter of Soccer In The
Streets programs and events. Numerous season tickets were provided
to enable kids to attend matches, equipment and soccer premiums
have been used as incentives for participants, and the Beat have
had a presence at several key Soccer In The Streets events.
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Two other A-League teams have taken the lead in bringing Soccer
In The Streets programs to neighborhoods in their communities. The
Richmond Kickers began a community outreach effort in 2000 and most
recently, the new club in upstate New York, the Syracuse Salty Dogs,
are sending players to several neighborhoods to encourage and educate
youth in their community. "We're committed to building the life
of kids through soccer in the heart of the Syracuse community,"
said program coordinator and Salty Dogs media relations director
Kristin Banach. "This can be a true sport for all, regardless of
ethnic or economic background."
The A-League's Charleston Battery and Major League Soccer's (MLS)
New York/New Jersey Metrostars are long-time supporters of Soccer
In The Streets programs in their communities. The Battery have partnered
with SoccerStreets affiliate, Li'l Peles, to provide high level
training through the use of their players to participants who may
not be able to afford the costs of elite clubs in their area. The
Metrostars have been a partner for the New Brunswick, NJ Soccer
In The Streets program for over 5 years, providing player appearances
and the ongoing use of a suite for youth to attend the games.
At-risk Girls Respond With Enthusiasm
To GOGIRLGO Project And Soccer Training
The Women's Sports Foundation curriculum, "GoGirlGo Project" and
implementation by Soccer In The Streets are encouraging fitness
and a positive life style for over 500 urban girls, educating them
about health-risk behaviors and life lessons such as body image,
bullying, diversity, smoking, drugs and stress.
Along with basic soccer skills, the girls also learn and are inspired
by the true stories from nationally recognized elite female athletes
who have faced important decisions in their lives and used their
involvement with sports to face such challenges.
Brittany, a participant in Atlanta comments, "Soccer is fun. At
first I thought it was hard, but I'm learning a lot. I like the
lessons too," referring to the GoGirl discussions that follow the
soccer training. Recently, while waiting their turn to play, the
team with the yellow jerseys found some yellow lotion with which
to paint their faces in a show of team spirit. It must've worked,
because after they enthusiastically took the field, they won the
next game.
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Atlanta girls controlling the ball and
waiting for the next instruction. |
Hayward program coordinator, Pat Hodges reported, "The girls are
very excited about this program. At our school, we had a few of
the boys observe one of the meetings. They thought it was great
too-'why don't boys get stuff like this?', one of them said." Sarah
Press, a young lady participating in the Hayward program is soon
to be featured in a U.S. Soccer Foundation publication.
A grant from the Women's Sports Foundation is being used in conjunction
with the GoGirlGo Project education curriculum and the Soccer In
The Streets program in Atlanta, GA; San Francisco, Hayward and San
Diego, CA; Greenville, SC and Tuskegee, AL. Girls will be provided
with training and equipment throughout the 10-week program. "We
are excited about the opportunity to support your girls' sports
program," said Donna Lopiano, Executive Director of the Women's
Sports Foundation, in the recent grant award announcement.
Program implementation began with spring program activities in
March and will go throughout the summer, and continue during the
fall.
Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, the Women's Sports Foundation
is a charitable educational organization dedicated to ensuring equal
access to participation and leadership opportunities for all girls
and women in sports and fitness. More information may be found at
their web site, www.WomensSportsFoundation.org.
"Street-Cup Tournament Fever"
Brings Fun And Competition To Atlanta
Building on the success of the events held this spring, the August
"Street-Cup" tournaments look to be bigger and better, offering
good competition and excellent experience for Soccer In The Streets
kids. "Now that the kids know what to expect, they're more excited
than ever to have a real tournament in their neighborhood," explained
Jill Robbins, program manager.
"Street-Box" soccer facilities -- modified soccer fields, roughly
the size of a tennis court, complete with an all-weather playing
surface, permanent goals and durable waist-high plastic perimeter
boards will serve as tournament venues for inner city youth. These
facilities are designed for use in urban areas and give kids who
live in these communities a place of their own to play soccer. The
"Street-Cup" will feature small-sided teams in three age groups,
which will compete in the day-long event. Participation is free
to youth ages 6 to 14. All participants will receive awards for
participation.
The first tournament is August 9, from 9:00 a.m. until dusk in
East Point. The second tournament is August 16, from 9:00 a.m. until
dusk in Sandy Springs and will be held in conjunction with a special
graduation ceremony for "Positive-Choice Soccer" life skills program
graduates. It is anticipated that well over 100 children will participate
in each tournament.
The purpose of the Street-Cup Tournament is to:
- Provide an outlet for interaction and competition with other
teams
- Reward the efforts of Positive-Choice Soccer program graduates
by providing a fun activity in which they can demonstrate and
reinforce their newly acquired skills
- Further each graduates' development by giving them the next
challenge in a progressive program
- Generate visibility and exposure for Street-Box facilities
and the Positive-Choice Soccer program
Sponsorships for awards, t-shirts, food and equipment are needed,
as are volunteers for each day. For more information or to provide
goods and services, please call 678.993.2113.
Focus On Youth Achievement: Li'l
Peles Program Offers 20-year View Of Soccer Benefits To Low Income
Kids
The "Li'l Peles" Soccer Club, a Soccer In The Streets affiliate
in Charleston, SC, demonstrates the long-term positive outcomes
and need for soccer in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Formed in 1980
a public housing complex in Charleston, SC, some past players are
now successful business owners, teachers, Americorps leaders, and
professionals after receiving scholarships to colleges and attending
some of the best schools in the U.S. The club is now going into
three generations - some of the original coaches are coaching their
grandchildren and players that grew up through the club are now
coaching their own children.
"Soccer was an easy sport to get involved with. All you needed
was a ball and a place to kick it. A lot of kids took to the game
naturally," noted co-founder John Wilson Jr. "Because of the speed
and the agility, we had a number of good teams because of their
natural ability." Initially, there was one team. It was so successful,
that they started another team. More and more girls and boys from
different housing complexes in Charleston signed up to play. In
the club's heyday, there were nine youth recreational teams which
took the kids from the age of 5 all the way through 18.
Back in the early days, consistency paid off. The teams won many
championships. But they also dealt with resentment and fear of the
unknown, such as worry that soccer was going to take over, that
it's a communist sport, and even racial antagonism. At the time,
Li'l Peles was the only African-American soccer club in the state.
"The teams started to get the racial slurs and had to deal with
that," Wilson relates. "On the flip side, a lot of other clubs didn't
condone that and they came down on those who did. By and large,
it was more positive." And the "rag tag" group had a lot of help
from the Charleston community "because they knew what we were trying
to do. Having grown up under segregation, it was good to see this,"
Wilson further explained.
Wilson added, "After the first couple of years, there was still
a piece missing. How do we connect this international game to this
small southern community? Thus we presented the Nguzo Saba - 7 principles
of Kwanza, which gave a framework to give our children, since each
principle stood for something." The club philosophy incorporated
these principles and as kids got involved, there was also special
emphasis on teaching them the 17 Laws of Soccer. "Especially Law
5 - that the Referee is the sole authority." The unity that has
been created by the club philosophy has led to a 95% retention rate
among its players.
Keys to their success have been extensive training for coaches
and starting with a good foundation by being connected to affiliated
programs. "Any of our players, if you signed up with our club, your
card could take you anywhere, literally, in the world because we
were part of that large body," said Wilson. The Li'l Peles have
always had a relationship with Soccer In The Streets. This affiliation
has provided a national presence to help facilitate programming
and not have to reinvent the wheel. It has also provided networking
opportunities.
The Charleston/Low Country Soccer In The Streets program enables
Wilson and his coaching staff to go into schools and day care facilities
for a long-term program, applying the Positive-Choice Soccer curriculum
developed by Soccer In The Streets. These programs are introductory
in nature and provide a segue to club soccer. The Li'l Peles are
the club soccer component and a collaboration with the Charleston
Battery A-League (men's professional) soccer team helps by providing
trainers and other support such as publicity; it also brings in
international players from the Caribbean and other parts of the
world. The program last year with the Battery reached over 250 kids
through Boys & Girls clubs and YMCA's in the area.
Challenges remain. "The game has changed, where you used to only
need a ball. Now it's very expensive," noted Wilson. Currently the
organization is looking for support in terms of being able to go
out into rural areas with equipment, coaches and financial resources.
This will enable them to implement the Soccer In The Streets program,
planting seeds that will be cultivated through the Li'l Peles Soccer
Club experience and Charleston Battery training. "The key," stated
Wilson, "is being able to get out there and plant the seeds . with
coaches, P.E. teachers and kids in the neighborhood just hanging
out. That's how Li'l Peles started . we saw kids out there and would
go to them and put a ball in the middle and they'd start playing."
People Making A Difference: Interns
Give A Big Boost To Atlanta Office
Four college students and one recent graduate have generously given
up time during these summer months to make a difference for kids
by serving as interns for Soccer In The Streets. When others their
age are making "fun and sun" their priority, these young people
are ensuring that children will be the ones to have fun and learn
at the same time.
Recent Emory University graduate, Coleen Schoch, completed her
degree in International Studies and Economics. Originally from Ohio,
she will be drawing on her international exposure and extensive
soccer playing experience to serve as a program coordinator and
also focus on Hispanic outreach for the East Point program.
Rachel Van Ness is a senior at Clayton College and State University
and the current Student Government President. Her degree program
in Psychology and Human Services has afforded her an excellent opportunity
to explore and learn about the inner-workings of a non-profit organization
such as Soccer In The Streets. Her focus will be on program assessment
and outcome measurements for curricula being implemented. Rachel's
soccer experience at various levels, including college, and her
desire to work with kids give her an excellent foundation for working
with the program.
Tyler Conner, a senior at University of Georgia, cites his good
fortune and desire to give back as the reason he decided to intern
this summer. His major in journalism and minor in Spanish make him
perfectly suited to work with the Hispanic community outreach efforts
in Sandy Springs.
An Tran is also a student at University of Georgia, and is also
majoring in Psychology, as well as Sociology. He will be applying
his skills at event management in order to organize two Street-Cup
Soccer Tournaments for the month of August. He loves working with
kids and hopes to bring more cultural awareness to the communities
and encourage more parental participation.
An admitted 'soccer person', Amanda Click wishes to work for the
benefit of other people, especially children. Amanda is a junior
at Georgia Institute of Technology, majoring in Science, Technology
& Culture, with a minor in History, Technology & Science. Her confidence
and people skills will be applied in the area of fundraising.
All of these talented and caring young people are welcome additions
to the Soccer In The Streets team. Their collective skills are a
tremendous asset to the organization. Their time spent working with
the children and their families will prove to be a life-changing
and valuable learning experience that they will never forget.
Coming To A City Near You: Soccer
In The Streets Offers Affiliate Iinformation To Cities Across The
U.S.
With the need greater than ever, the demand for new programs and
requests for information continues to grow. That is why Soccer In
The Streets now offers an affiliate application for potential programs
in communities new to the SoccerStreets family.
"We get requests for information on a regular basis and we needed
a way to address the growing need for Soccer In The Streets programs.
This new application process ensures that quality applicants can
become affiliates and that their programs can be successful," explained
Jill Robbins, national program manager. In addition to a new program
in Syracuse, NY, other cities that may see new Soccer In The Streets
programs in the near future include Houston, New Orleans and Cincinnati.
Affiliate applications may be obtained by calling the Soccer In
The Streets national headquarters office in Atlanta at 678.993.2113
or by visiting the web site at www.soccerstreets.org. The application
fee is $50, which covers the cost of a Soccer In The Streets starter
kit.
What's Happening In Summer 2003
A quick look at what's coming up in the next few months
- Atlanta: Street-Cup Tournament - East Point "Street-Box"
- August 9
- Atlanta: Street-Cup Tournament - Sandy Springs "Street-Box"
- August 16
- Atlanta: Allen Road "Positive-Choice" Soccer Graduation
- August 16
- Atlanta: Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club GoGirlGo Project
- Graduation - August 8
- Atlanta: Bethune Elementary School GoGirlGo Kick-off
- August
- YOUR Soccer In The Streets activity HERE (To be included
in the quarterly newsletter, please contact the SoccerStreets
Information line at 678.993.2113 or send your event announcement
to info@soccerstreets.org)
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Pete Santora with Nacional Soccer Camps
is pleasantly surprised by the amount of soccer gear collected
at their last camp. |
A Special Thanks To Some Key Players: Breathing
New Life Into Old Equipment
Many organizations, clubs and individuals are discovering the joys
of recycling their used soccer gear by donating it to Soccer In
The Streets. Instead of letting old shoes, scruffy soccer balls
and countless team jerseys clutter up their basements, closets and
garages, these good folks are putting these items to good use by
giving them to Soccer In The Streets to distribute to kids in need.
As an organized effort, the Nacional Soccer CampsT have
initiated Project GearT, which sets up collection points
at their camps and other soccer events. An Atlanta-area retail store,
Just Soccer, has set up collections at both of their locations.
At their recent tournament, Concorde Soccer Club, collected
gear to be donated to Soccer In The Streets.
 Other
organizations that have recently cleared out their storage of old
uniforms, lost and found items, and outdated tournament t-shirts,
among other items, include Norcross Soccer Association, Roswell
Parks & Recreation, and Tucker Youth Soccer Association.
In addition, there have been generous contributions from individuals
throughout the U.S.
"ON THE BALL" is the quarterly newsletter of Soccer In
The Streets, an Atlanta based nationwide non-profit organization
that develops soccer, educational and life-skills programs for "at-risk"
kids in urban communities.
Copyright 2003 by Soccer In The Streets, Inc. All rights reserved.
This message may be forwarded to individuals if this trailer is
included, but may *not* be reposted publicly or reprinted in any
form without explicit permission.
Soccer In The Streets, Inc.
2323 Perimeter Park Drive NE
Atlanta , GA 30341
Phone: 678.993.2113
FAX: 770.452.1946
Email: info@soccerstreets.org
Website: www.soccerstreets.org
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