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SOCCER IN THE STREETS Newsletter -
Winter 2006
"Put a lot of effort in everything you do and never stop playing soccer." – Juan Bollo, Age 14
In this issue, read more about:
Atlanta falcons youth organization supports equipo positivo
Soccer in the Streets Recognized for Third Consecutive Year
british american business group's oglethorpe ball to benefit soccer in the streets
Silent Auction to Provide Funding for New Field
”STREETFOOTBALLWORLD” WELCOMES SOCCER IN THE STREETS TO BERLIN, GERMANY DURING 2006 FIFA WORLD CUP
Players Are Being Sought to Represent the USA at this Momentous Event
STREETS MEETS THE BEACH FOLLOW UP
Thanks to the Golden Isles Soccer Association
PROFILE- JUAN BOLLO
A Life Changed by Soccer
AC MILAN COMING TO ATLANTA
Take Advantage of this Once in a Lifetime Opportunity
NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
Read More About Our Affiliates
ATLANTA FALCONS YOUTH FOUNDATION SUPPORTS EQUIPO POSITIVO
Soccer in the Streets Recognized for Third Consecutive Year
 The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation has awarded Soccer in the Streets funding to start a minimum of two new sites in the Atlanta metro area that will target Hispanic kids and other at-risk children.
Program staff is in the process of scouting the new locations with a pro j ected kick off date of early March. The overall goal is to start five new sites in 2006 and five more in 2007. Included in the planning is development of customized urban soccer facilities (Street-Boxes) where appropriate.
Off the streets and staying on the 'good foot' at the
Street-Cup in Sandy Springs |
Scott Doll is the executive director of the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation, whose purpose is, “to give back to the community by promoting the healthy development of youth. It does so by supporting physical fitness and sports in communities across Georgia through grant-making, strategic partnerships and signature programs.”
Soccer in the Streets is happy to be recognized for the third consecutive year by the Falcons Youth Foundation as an organization devoted to this important mission.
Equipo Positivo (The Positive Team) is a campaign to get 1,000 kids in predominantly Hispanic communities off the streets, keeping them out of trouble and in school. The campaign does this through a combination of teaching soccer skills, life skills, and bringing families and the community together. Click here for more information on this program.
BRITISH AMERICAN BUSINESS GROUP'S OGLETHORPE BALL TO BENEFIT SOCCER IN THE STREETS
Silent Auction to Provide Funding for New Field
 Sarah Gilbert, President of the British American Business Group/Atlanta (BABG/Atlanta), recently announced some very exciting news, all of the proceeds from this year's BABG/Atlanta's Oglethorpe Ball will go to Soccer in the Streets! The annual Black Tie Ball will have a soccer theme this year, which is sure to provoke a lot of friendly competition between its members. Let's hope the Manchester United fans keep away from the Arsenal fans, and vice versa! The Oglethorpe Ball will be held on February 25 th at Atlanta 's Grand Hyatt Hotel in Buckhead.
“I am really looking forward to seeing [everyone] at the Oglethorpe Ball at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead on February 25th to en j oy a wonderful evening and support this very worthwhile charity, “ Gilbert told Jill Robbins, Executive Director of Soccer in the Streets.
The goal is to raise enough money to finance the building of a soccer field and the staff to manage it for one year. To accomplish this, a Silent Auction has been added as part of the event this year. Some of the fabulous items included are:
- A Long Weekend in a Vacation Home
- Travel Packages
- Golf Packages or Tennis Lessons
- Restaurant Vouchers (Buckhead Life Group, etc.)
- Spa Visits/Baskets
- Gym/Club memberships
- Favorite Wines from Your Collection
- Art, Jewelry, Retail Gift Certificates, etc.
- Unique Soccer Memorabilia
- Freddy Adu Autographed Soccer Ball
Thanks to BABG/Atlanta for helping to improve the life of Atlanta 's at-risk youth by supporting Soccer in the Streets!
For more information, please visit: http://www.babg.org/otb06/Oglethorpe.html
"STREETFOOTBALLWORLD" WELCOMES SOCCER IN THE STREETS TO BERLIN , GERMANY DURING 2006 FIFA WORLD CUP
Players Are Being Sought to Represent the USA at this Momentous Event
"Team USA" from the Street League project in London could be headed to Germany this summer. |
Soccer in the Streets is seeking players (current players, affiliates members, and graduates) and sponsors for the delegation to Berlin for the 2006 streetfootballworld festival. Any kids who wish to attend will need uniforms and airfare for the event. Accommodations will be provided by the host organization – streetfootballworld – during the stay in Berlin .
Youth between the ages of 16 and 21, participants or graduates of Soccer in the Streets and its affiliates who can demonstrate financial need, are active soccer players and are academically sound (in school or graduated) are eligible to participate. If you are eligible and would like to participate, please submit an application, which includes an essay on why you should be selected to represent the USA at the streetfootballworld festival 06 in Berlin, Germany this summer during the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The streetfootballworld festival 06 is the official element of the artistic and cultural program to the 2006 FIFA World Cup™. 24 teams from 5 continents will converge on Berlin during the week of July 1-8 in 2006.
For more information or to obtain an application, please contact the Streets' office.
STREETS MEETS THE BEACH FOLLOW UP
Thanks to the Golden Isles Soccer Association
Soccer in the Streets kids traveled to Jekyll Island, GA for a festival hosted by the Golden Isles Soccer Association. The kids ranged in age from 6 to 14. The host facilities were located right on the Atlantic Ocean, a new experience for some kids who had never been outside of Atlanta, much less seen the bea ch before. Although the weather was a bit chilly, a number of kids took advantage of the opportunity to take a dip in the ocean or the hotel pool.
The soccer matches, pitting the Streets' kids against the Academy Select players from the Golden Isles Soccer Association, were fun to play and watch. The Coastal Outreach Soccer Program, a Soccer in the Streets affiliate from Brunswick, GA also participated in the event. Dek Smith, organizer of the festival, is hoping to make it an annual event.
FOCUS ON YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT: SANDY SPRINGS YOUTH OBSESSED WITH THE BEAUTIFUL GAME, NOT GANGS
A Life Changed by Soccer
Juan Bollo started coming to the Sandy Springs location when it opened in September of 2002. About six months ago, the coaches noticed that Juan was starting to hang out with some of the neighborhood gang members and had even started dressing and acting like them. The concerned coaches took a special interest in Juan, and Juan has since made a 180 degree change. He now comes to the Street-Box every day, even when the coach doesn't come. He calls the coach every day to talk about what's going on in his life. He is also playing with a team in the league. Now Juan's focus is on soccer (some may say to the point of obsession!), and he has since turned away from the negative influences of the neighborhood gang and realized that there are is a much better, more productive and more fun way to spend his time.
We interviewed Juan so we could share with you just how far he has come.
Name: Juan Bollo
Age: 14 Birthplace: State of Mexico, in Mexico
School/Grade: Ridgeview Middle School, 8th
Soccer Team(s): Pumas
Accomplishments (soccer, academic, community, etc.): Playing better and has learned new soccer tricks. (Improved his game) What do you consider your strengths?
Playing soccer every day
What is your best/ most notable soccer experience?
[Facing the] competition
How has soccer helped you?
It helps me to be out of the streets and not use drugs.
How did you get started?
With the Soccer in the Streets program.
What advice do you have for others?
Put a lot of effort in everything you do and never stop playing soccer.
What are your goals in life?
To become a professional soccer player.
Any other comments?
I'd like to thank Jose Almaraz, my coach, because he has helped me to be a better player and a better person.
Wow! With your help we can help a lot more kids like Juan who make decisions every day that can affect the rest of their lives. Help us make sure more kids like Juan, who j ust need a little guidance (and a soccer ball), make the right decisions in the future.
Click here if you'd like to help.
A.C. MILAN IS COMING TO ATLANTA
Take Advantage of this Once in a Lifetime Opportunity
A.C. Milan, one of the world's most successful soccer clubs, in partnership with Soccer in the Streets, will be in Atlanta April 3-7. At Noonday Park in Kennesaw and Jones Bridge Park in Norcross, local players, boys and girl ages 6-17, will be trained by the best at the Milan Junior Camp.
 Milan is known world wide for its remarkable successes in the Italian Serie A and UEFA Champions' League. The club is also a leader in the development of young talent through its Milan Junior Camps. Over 10,000 children participated in these camps worldwide last year in 22 countries.
More information, including on how to sign up for the camps, is included at http://www.redblackint.com. Don't pass up this chance to send kids (yours or one from our program!) to receive world class training. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
Brunswick , GA
Feet That Need Cleats
From Shawn Williams:
Coastal Outreach kids, along with all of the U10's who took part in the “Streets Meets the Beach” Festival. |
Coastal Outreach Soccer (COS) in Brunswick , GA is gearing up for the spring season. In fall of 2005 we had 60 players in our U-6 to U-10 divisions. We are very excited about our new partnership with Goodyear Elementary School . In addition, we will continue to offer our soccer program to Head Start, FACES, Brunswick Recreation Department McIntyre Court and Glynn Villa Boys and Girls Club, and H Street Community Center ; however, we need your help to keep these multiple programs going. We need cleats!
If you have gently used or new soccer cleats ranging in size from youth 11 to men's 7, please do not tuck them in the back of the closet or under the bed. Dust those cleats off and donate them to Coastal Outreach Soccer. Our goal for spring is 40 pairs of cleats.
A big thank you to Lloyd's Soccer in Charleston SC , which has offered to sell youth Pumas sizes 10-3 to COS at discounted price of $10.00 each. This is a big help but we need more to make sure every child who wants to play in our programs can.
Thanks for your support,
Shawn Williams
MELD for Dads
Coastal Outreach Soccer
912-262-1855 ext. 3
912-266-4126
Tuskegee , AL
Healthy Beginnings in Alabama
Our friend Dingani Nkuchwayo with Tuskegee Futbol Youth Internationale is working to help kids in rural Alabama discover soccer. He is reaching out not only in Tuskegee , but in surrounding areas. “TFYI's overall purpose is to assist those deserving youth so they may have an equal opportunity,” Dingani said.
Good game, good game, good game . . . |
Coach Dingani helps his kids prepare for their upcoming match. |
TFYI's new youth league, called “Healthy Beginnings”, will be for children between ages 6-8. “I am personally excited because it is a new day in this community,” Dingani said. Soccer in the Streets' Positive-Choice™ program will be used for “Healthy Beginnings”.
Greenville , SC
Soccer Plays a Role in Celebrating King's Birthday
Our Greenville, SC affiliate held a wonderful event to commemorate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. The lively event included speakers, music, food… and, of course, soccer! Hiram Springle, long-time director of Soccer in the Streets affiliate Unity Sports, organized the event.
For the first time, Greenville County recognized the holiday and gave their employees the day off! It was the first time that Hiram's wife was able to attend, as she is an employee of the Greenville County library system.
Hiram's son, who was the catalyst for Hiram's involvement in youth soccer and the formation of soccer programs for children of color and from low-income backgrounds in Greenville , took time out of his busy schedule as a practicing physician and paid a visit. Everyone who attended had a great time playing soccer, socializing with friends and honoring the legacy of the great Martin Luther King, Jr.
Rochester , NY
A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Member of the Family in the Chilly Northeast
With a long and storied history of soccer, Rochester , New York is now joining the Soccer in the Streets fold. The organizers are hoping to pull together the many soccer organizations and resources in order to better serve those who lack access to quality soccer programs. With a summer schedule already in the works, it looks like there will be Soccer in the Streets starting up real soon!
Please contact Jami Dansingburg, jami@corp-com.com for more information.
We're waiting to hear some news from YOU . . .
Soccer In The Streets supports the efforts of affiliates and even like-minded individuals promoting programs for the benefit of less advantaged kids using the sport of soccer. If you have any information, news or stories that you'd like to share with our supporters and friends, be sure to send it to us. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
“ON THE BALL” is the quarterly newsletter of Soccer In The Streets, an Atlanta based nationwide non-profit organization that teaches less advantaged kids to make positive choices in life so as to better themselves, their families and communities through soccer.
Copyright 2006 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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