Station Soccer Officially Shortlisted for the Beyond Sport Global Awards 2017
The program, established by Soccer in the Streets, with the funding and support of the Atlanta United Foundation and MARTA, has become an international icon for innovation.
ATLANTA (May 26, 2017) – Beyond Sport today announced that ‘Station Soccer’, the first soccer pitch in the world inside a metro system, has earned a spot on their annual Beyond Sport Global Awards Official Shortlist, showcasing 37 organizations worldwide, in different categories, that are successfully using sport to promote and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). ‘Station Soccer’ is one of three finalists in the category of Sport for Innovation and Tech Award.
Established by Soccer in the Streets, a local nonprofit that empowers underserved youth through sports-based training, character development, mentoring, and employability programs, ‘Station Soccer’ - located at MARTA Five Points - centers its efforts in holistic programming for developing skills both on and off the pitch in innovative ways. The field, funded by the Atlanta United Foundation, and brought to fruition thanks to partnerships with MARTA and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, has become a blueprint for community activation and social impact soccer efforts in urban areas nationwide.
"Station Soccer embodies everything that impactful collaboration can have on communities. The partnership between Soccer in the Streets, MARTA and the Atlanta United Foundation showcase how public, private and nonprofit entities can be impactful through innovation,’ said Sanjay Patel, Soccer in the Streets Board Member. “It's been fantastic to see kids and adults from all over the city meet at a train station to play soccer, long may it continue and many thanks to Beyond Sport for the recognition."
As the global force for sustainable social change through sport, Beyond Sport overhauled the awards this year to align with the UN SDG’s. The move came from Beyond Sport’s belief that using sport is an effective and game-changing approach to addressing extreme poverty, inequality and climate change.
Calling on any organization, program, campaign, initiative, brand, sports team or league to share how they are using sport to take action for the Global Goals, Beyond Sport received over 250 entries, representing 70 countries and 40 sports.
“To be honoured on the world stage by Beyond Sport for our innovation is wonderful,” said Phil Hill, Soccer in the Streets Executive Director. “We are committed to creating positive social change through soccer, and providing a solution to the transportation issue for kids from poor neighborhoods is key”
Being shortlisted for a Beyond Sport Global Award is a huge achievement. The organizations heralded within the Beyond Sport network - of over 2,500 projects in 148 countries - receives exclusive media opportunities, facilitated partnership introductions, resource possibilities, and promotional activities. The success of being shortlisted will allow Soccer in the Streets create a sustainable platform to continue contributing to the UN SDG’s through sport, throughout the World.
The annual Beyond Sport Awards Ceremony and Beyond Sport United conference will be held from July 26th - 27th in New York City.
Soccer in the Streets Grossed Over $136K at the ATL Champions League
The event - hosted by Atlanta United at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground - broke all previous records.
ATLANTA (May 26, 2017) - Last Sunday May 21st over 400 people attended the seventh annual ATL Champions League 2017, one of Soccer in the Streets' traditional fundraising tournaments in support of metro Atlanta underserved youth. The event - hosted by Atlanta United at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground - broke all previous records, with 16 participating teams, over 200 players hitting the pitch, and raising $136k, surpassing last years' total.
In images, ATL Champions League: here.
"It is truly uplifting to see so many amazing people come together for a common purpose; harnessing their love of the game to help us in our mission of giving all children a chance to succeed. We can't thank them enough for their fundraising efforts, and for making it such an exciting day on the field," said Bill Ford, Event Chairman and Soccer in the Streets Board Member. "And the event was lifted to a new level with the world class facilities provided by Atlanta United. They were the perfect hosts, and their support means so much to us."
The ATL Champions League 2017 saw the city's most passionate soccer fans, representing fifteen of the most illustrious European soccer teams, plus our own Atlanta United FC, battle it out for the title both on and off the pitch. This years' edition featured a final match between Manchester United and Atlanta United FC; Manchester United claimed the 2017 Championship crown, after defeating 1-0 in extra-time the defending champions, Atlanta United.
Off the pitch, Liverpool took the honors as the number one fundraising team of the tournament, raising over $32k total. Paul Hourigan, also on the Liverpool team, was recognized for his efforts by becoming the player fundraising MVP, grossing over $10k.
Behind the competitiveness and fun of the ATL Champions League is the most important aspect of this tournament: raising funds to bring soccer to lower income communities, helping Soccer in the Streets to provide sustainable free youth soccer programs that cultivate change, education, and empower youth.
Since 1989, Soccer in the Streets provides access and opportunities to disadvantaged children in urban neighborhoods. Using soccer as the medium, the non-profit has instilled healthy lifestyles and positive choices to thousands of children in the metro Atlanta area. With a holistic approach, the organization centers its programs on character development, life skills, mentoring, and employability. The local non-profit ensures all children have a chance to succeed on and off the field. Since early 2016, Soccer in the Streets has provided upwards of 6,000 children with after school soccer-based educational programs in underserved communities.