Soccer in the Streets Hosts Street Cup In Honor of National Girls & Women in Sports Day
To commemorate this year’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), Soccer in the Streets hosted on February 17 a community event, celebrating the extraordinary achievements in girls and women’s sports and the positive influence athletic participation brings to their lives.
The girls that enjoyed our celebration of the National Girls and Women in Sports Day
ATLANTA (February 20, 2018) - To commemorate this year’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), Soccer in the Streets hosted on February 17 a community event, celebrating the extraordinary achievements in girls and women’s sports and the positive influence athletic participation brings to their lives. The event, held at Station Soccer at MARTA’s Five Points Station, was an opportunity for more than thirty girls to celebrate an empowering day, with speakers ranging from current and former professional women soccer players, top female coaches, and leaders in the sports for development sector.
“It’s fitting that we host this event at Station Soccer – which was created to help ensure access to soccer programs for kids from all backgrounds,” said Lauren Glancy, Director of Programs for Soccer in the Streets. “ It’s especially important to keep girls in mind, because of the many proven benefits of athletic participation. Sports not only helps girls be healthy and fit, but it helps them achieve in academics, in their communities and as leaders in many future endeavors.”
NGWSD recognizes the ongoing effort towards equality and access for women in sports and the nation’s commitment to expand sport and participation opportunities for all girls and future generations. This year’s theme was “Play Fair, Play IX”- referring to “Title IX”- which was enacted in 1972 and designed to prevent sex discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving any type of federal financial aid.
During the event, former Canadian National Player, Princeton Alum and Soccer in the Streets board member, Jeanine Willis, shared her thoughts on how soccer influenced her life in a positive way. Jeanine encouraged the girls to keep playing soccer and stick with it:“you might not be at the skill level you’d expect to be at, but you’ll grow as a player.”
Meanwhile, former pro Chicago Red Star player and Soccer in the Streets coach, Leigh Jakes, empowered the young girls about her career. “It does not matter if you’re the best...as a rookie you are also important to the team. Soccer took me places in life and I fell in love with the game,” said Jakes.
Soccer in the Streets Joins the Global #GivingTuesday Movement
Soccer in the Streets has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.
The Social Impact Soccer organization pledges to expand Station Soccer programming
ATLANTA, GA. – Soccer in the Streets has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. DONATE HERE. Occurring this year on November 28, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick off the holiday giving season, and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.
Soccer in the Streets joins the global #GivingTuesday initiative in order to mobilize its supporters, providing an outlet where they can share their experience with the social impact soccer organization, generating awareness and increasing donations towards community –based youth programming such as ‘Station Soccer’, the first soccer field in the world inside the perimeter of a transit system. All donations will benefit Soccer in the Streets' free youth programming in 31 public schools and 13 community programs; providing social change and education in underserved communities through the beautiful game. Since 2016, Soccer in the Streets has impacted over 9,000 kids, all while launching the first Homeless Youth Soccer Program of the Atlanta metro area.
“#GivingTuesday is a great opportunity to reach even more individuals with a keen sense of social responsibility” said Soccer in the Streets Executive Director, Phil Hill. “The collective power is so impactful, and we are calling both old and new supporters to donate to our organization so we can reach even more kids in low income communities. Join us on our Social Impact Soccer movement!”
92Y, a cultural center in New York City, since 1874 has been bringing people together around its core values of community service and giving back − conceptualized #GivingTuesday as a new way of linking individuals and causes to strengthen communities and encourage giving. In 2016, the fifth year of #GivingTuesday, millions of people in 98 countries came together to give back and support the causes they believe in. Over $177 million was raised online to benefit a tremendously broad range of organizations, and much more was given in volunteer hours, donations of food and clothing, and acts of kindness.
“We have been incredibly inspired by the generosity in time, efforts and ideas that have brought our concept for a worldwide movement into reality,” said Henry Timms, founder of #GivingTuesday and executive director of 92Y. “As we embark on our sixth year of #GivingTuesday, we are encouraged by the early response from partners eager to continue making an impact in this global conversation.”
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 lifestyle choices to thousands of children. The organization centers its holistic programs on character development, life skills, and employability improvement. Since its establishment, the non-profit ensures all children have a chance to succeed both on and off the field, pursuing inclusion and diversity in every community where it has a presence.
Station Soccer Anniversary at a Glance
Part of Station Soccer programming includes soccer-driven leadership training, promoting employability among young people and creating a sustainable, competitive format through adult leagues. The project seeks to include community members across metro Atlanta by using downtown as a converging point for a new urban soccer culture. Using innovative ideas focused on inclusiveness and collaboration, the Station Soccer project aims to embrace and encourage the global nature of the game.
Flagship community project a result of successful partnership between MLS club and Soccer in the Streets