National Girls And Women In Sports Day

February 6, 2019, marked the 33rd annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day, a national observance celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women and girls in sports. The theme for this year’s NWGSD was “Lead Her Forward”. This phrase represents the confidence, strength and empowerment that women need to become leaders in sport.

Soccer in the Streets hosted an NWGSD at StationSoccer - West End where a group of twenty soccer players joined forces. These young female athletes were introduced to a panel of empowering women who are leaders in the sports industry.

Pharlone Toussaint, the Atlanta Program Officer for the Laureus Foundation, reflected on her experiences in the sports industry.

“As a young woman in sport-related roles, I had to stop thinking that I wasn’t welcome and I wasn’t valued,” Toussaint said. “Those were not things I ever received from anyone but external sources that I had never met or never have come into direct contact with. I have had a number of overwhelming champions in the sports industry and a lot of them were men.”

Women face problems in a male-dominated sports industry. These successful female leaders have now reconstructed their beliefs on gender inequality in sport. Becoming role models for the younger athletes shows enthusiasm to make all-sports equal.

“The sooner I was able to deconstruct gender inequality in sport and accept the help that was clearly coming my way, the sooner I unlocked more doors to my success,” said Toussaint.

After years of working in the sports industry, Lucy Rushton, a Data Analyst for Atlanta United, realized her worth on the MLS team.

“I was never going to make it as a professional player, and being a woman, my opportunities to get into professional soccer were limited, to begin with. So, I saw data analysis as an amazing way to be involved in the game, being able to impact performance while not directly playing and coaching,” said Rushton.

NGWSD highlights women leaders all around the world influencing young athletes to be motivated and empowered in their sport’s industry. Soccer in the Streets supports all the women leaders who shine a light on gender-equality.

Rushton spoke on how she felt she has succeeded. “As a woman working in sport, or one wanting to work in sport, you have to make it happen. You have to be proactive and go out there and get what you want. But if you want it enough and you believe in yourself, you will find that the doors are open and that you can succeed and you do belong,” said Rushton.

Sources: https://www.atlutd.com/post/2017/08/16/behind-stripes-lucy-rushton

Link to NGWSD 2018’s blog- https://bit.ly/2GBajrU

Haitian Amputee National Team Visits StationSoccer

Haitian Team playing at StationSoccer- Five Points in Atlanta, GA

Nearly 1 million people in Haiti are amputees or have disabilities. Dealing with severe poverty and joblessness, these individuals experience the worst living conditions. The Haitian Amputee National Team visited StationSoccer - Five Points and StationSoccer - West End to commemorate the UN Day for Persons with Disabilities.

The efforts wouldn’t have been possible without the Manager and Director of Operations for the Haiti National Men and Women Amputee Football Teams, Dr. Fred Sorrells.

This annual event started in 2010 when amputee soccer was introduced in Haiti. This sport was invented by American Don Bennett and became an inspirational passion for the survivors of the earthquakes in Haiti.

The event consisted of Soccer in the Streets youth players and a group of Haitian Amputee Soccer players. Simply enjoying the city atmosphere surrounding the StationSoccer field and the love for the beautiful game of soccer.

“The players come to appreciate that there are socio-economic challenged communities even in America,” said Sorrells. “Children in these communities need encouragement to overcome negative influences in their surroundings. It makes a huge impact on our players to realize they have an opportunity to give back to America for all of the goodwill and disaster relief extended to Haiti during the 2010 catastrophic earthquake and numerous hurricanes over the years.”

The highlight of the day for the Haitian players was interacting with the Soccer in the Streets kids. The players appreciate the socio-economic challenges that children face in America as well because they can relate. It makes a huge impact on the Haitian players to realize they have an opportunity to give back. The mission behind the organization really speaks to the players.

A group of Westside kids had the opportunity to play soccer with the Haitian players on their visit to the US. Community Program Manager, Tony Carter, spoke on his first-hand experience watching the soccer game.

“At the beginning, their expectations were that they would have scaled down their level of effort. But they were scored on quickly and the kids then realized how good these players were,” Carter said. “After a heavily contested match and plenty of amazement from both sides of the ball, all Westside players involved had a newfound respect for the Haitian Team.”

While in Haiti, people with disabilities are often marginalized, at the StationSoccer programs the amputee players are celebrated as incredible athletes and heroes who’ve overcome tremendous obstacles.

Job Opportunities for Teens

In today’s world, the job market continues to tighten. And that tightening means that there are fewer opportunities for jobs for teenagers.

But there is a solution for Soccer in the Streets teenagers that keep them close to the game by teaching them to officiate. What better way to use their knowledge of the sport, learn life skills and make a few dollars from game fees?

The growth of Soccer in the Streets programming continues and with it grows the need for certified officials – right down to the youngest levels of participation and small-sided matches. Thus, the program has taken root from the Clarkston refugee program to the College Park community program and to date, 38 young adults have been screened, trained and are now certified US Soccer referees.

It’s not easy being an official –, particularly for younger players. Many quit after only a short time. But officiating offers a way to bridge the gap for young people from under-resourced and under-represented communities, to have access to the entry-level jobs that are afforded through soccer.

Leading the newly certified referees, Project Owner, Jill Robbins. She has witnessed first hand the growth of each individual.

“It’s gratifying to see the kids go from casual interest to eager apprentice, and from there, become certified and start to work as a professional referee,” Robbins said. “Over time and with experience, you get to see them increase in proficiency and confidence. They also take their responsibility seriously and appreciate the benefit they’ve received. Then they feel an obligation to help their peers as they enter the ranks of soccer officials. It’s a virtuous circle.”

The program was her brainchild. And, she believes this program has influenced these players in an impactful way. It has introduced these bright, resourceful and mentally tough young people to the job market as well as the ranks of new officials. And, what makes it interesting is that they receive the training, skills, and resources to succeed.

The four goals of the referee project are:

Goal 1:  Increase the pool for potential referees in underserved communities and better prepare them for joining the ranks of soccer officials.  

Goal 2:  Provide an entry point through which candidates will be recruited, screened, trained and certified to officiate youth games and move candidates through that process.

Goal 3:  Provide the support needed to retain referees once they enter the ranks of soccer officials.

Goal 4:  Provide employment opportunities to the new referees and the resources needed to access these opportunities

Though it all sounds good, there are other barriers that don’t let teenagers officiate. The main barrier for many aspiring officials is that initial cost  - from uniforms, whistles, flags, wallet, watches, and the certification program itself. That startup cost is over $200 and for some kids, that is a barrier that keeps them away.  Soccer in the Streets is eliminating that barrier. The program provides kits for the referees, with all of the needed tools and a bag, and the program also covers the fee for the U.S. Soccer Grade 9 course.

There is another benefit to the program. These young officials become role models and influence their peers as well as the younger players to join. And, they see them out working matches and jamborees.

Clarkston Refugee, Elvis Niyokwizera, is newly certified referee and excelled exponentially in the Referee Program.

“I am overwhelmed by the experiences I have been through in the past months,” said Niyokwiezera. “I am now a leader to the younger kids because I was in their shoes back in the day. Now I am officiating their games and it is exciting.”

Once you have your certification, then you have to get games assigned specifically. So, Robbins introduced the Clarkston FC newly certified referees to the head DDY referee assignor, John Hermann, who is now utilizing some of these new officials to work matches.

“There are many job skills are involved in the role of a referee,” said Hermann. “These skills will carry over to most any job later in life such as: being on time; taking care of one’s appearance; learning to be as pleasant as possible when others are acting much less pleasant; making a quick decision with limited information; being confident and looking confident; working with others who have different opinions; learning rules and procedures; managing job commitments and planning.”

So, keep your eyes on the sidelines and you just might see one of the newly minted officials working a match.

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