Bringing the Community Together at StationSoccer- Lindbergh

Lindbergh Youth Players at practice

StationSoccer- Lindbergh is our fourth pitch in the “League of Stations”. We are excited to announce that we are fully programming our first youth program out at the fields with 90 kids signed up for the spring season. 

The first in-house matches took place this past month with a great turnout for the start of a Lindbergh community. As well, we are still continuing our youth programming with COVID safety precautions in place. 

Soccer in the Streets has a history of working in the area already with great partnerships in place through a collaboration with Garden Hills Elementary School, Agape Youth and Family Center,  and LaAmistad. The strengths of these local community partnerships mean the kids from these local schools and centers have filtered into the Soccer in the Streets Lindbergh youth program and this pitch is now a place where people can call it their second home.

An influential person that has been working alongside our organization is, Garden Hill’s Teacher and LaAmistad after school Director, Katie Carlson. Katie was introduced to Soccer in the Streets in 2017 when we started our school program at Garden Hills. She started coaching for the organization and knew this is where her students needed to be. 

Coach Katie Carlson with youth players

“I have never played soccer before, but watched my students play every day at recess and knew this was something that Garden Hills students needed,” said Carlson. “I signed up to be a coach and recruited as many players as the program could handle.”

She also stated-  “A couple of years later, I was looking for a PE coach for LaAmistad Summer Camp and had the brilliant idea to reach out to Soccer in the Streets Program Manager, Jorge Ortiz, to see if the organization would want to work with us. After lots of planning and scheduling, we ended up with the amazing Coach Antman full-time. He became part of our LaAmistad family in no time. The relationships he formed with our students were so powerful. He not only coached soccer but was such a positive role model to so many.”

The connection was growing on and off the field between the kids and the organization. When the idea that StationSoccer- Lindbergh was going to be built, Carlson and Ortiz both knew this would be a perfect space for the kids.

“This field will provide our students with a safe place to play soccer, interact with peers, learn about teamwork, and just simply a place to feel a sense of belonging. When you are at the fields as the players arrive, you will see the kids running out of the cars so excited to see their friends and get on the field” said Carlson. “ You will also see whole families gathering with chairs and blankets and snacks. This is a place that has truly brought our community together in just one month. I can’t wait to see how much it grows. I know there will be a lot of great memories made here.”

Coach Calrson helping with Slices & Strikes

Over the summer when COVID hit, the partnership kept striving on. We introduced a special project called Slices & Strikes where the youth players were able to come out and pick up pizza during the pandemic. This project was especially important because we were able to interact with the kids even though they weren’t able to play soccer. In addition, we worked closely with AGAPE on providing virtual soccer lessons for elementary students.

“Despite COVID and the difficult year, SITS continued to support our students through the Slices and Strikes program, providing virtual soccer lessons and even tutoring programs”, said Carlson. “To say that the kids are excited about having the opportunity to be on a soccer team again is a complete understatement. Soccer has been the topic of conversation in my 4th-grade class every day since the season began. Soccer was all students would talk to me about when they see me in the hallway and during LaAmistad tutoring.”

With the field shining light on the youth players’ lives and the surrounding community we are excited to see what the future holds at this location! 

“Not only are the students extremely happy, but the parents are equally as thankful for this opportunity to get their kids outside and exercising”, said Carlson. “This is truly the first sign of “normalcy” that we have had in about a year and it brings me so much joy. I am honored to be part of this organization for almost 5 years now.”

Women In Sports Inspires Younger Generation

This year we celebrated the 35th anniversary of National Girls & Women In Sports Day! This day is held annually to highlight the equal opportunity and the importance of Title IX.

We held a virtual forum for the Soccer in the Streets female athletes where they were able to learn more about this special day. The panelists that spoke on various topics were previous Soccer in the Streets Coach, Nadia Hamrang, Georgia State University, Professor of Sport Administration, Dr. Beth Cianfrone, and Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, Atlanta Program Officer, Pharlone Toussaint
The topics consisted of how sports have changed their lives as female athletes, what advice would they give to younger female athletes, has access to women sports leadership positions become equitable, along with other empowering topics.

Leading the discussion, Nadia Hamrang focused on how the sports industry and her career changed her life. 

Coach Nadia with SITS players

“I’ve had to learn to be a leader for most of my life and what it means to be a leader,” said Hamrang. “I believe that’s what got me to be where I am in my life and my career. It has made me become a more useful tool when it comes to working with a team and in taking control of my day-to-day life.”

Following the question of how their careers have changed their lives, Pharlone Toussaint, a long-standing member of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, focused on what obstacles and challenges she had to overcome in life and the workplace. 

“I have overcome poverty, racism, and sexism to be in the position I am in today. The sports industry is a highly sought-after place to work in and it is very easy to be rejected or overlooked because I may not be like most of the people that occupy that industry”, said Toussaint. 

Pharlone Toussaint speaking at Laureus Sport For Good Foundation event

“I never believed in playing the part of trying to fit in. I used my unique experiences to show up authentically and make sure I stand out. That attitude has helped me create a lane for myself in the sport for development and allowed me the opportunity to represent groups who are usually not invited to the table in philanthropy and grant-making. I speak from my own experiences as a member of a historically disadvantaged person and I believe it makes all of the work we do better because that voice is represented.” 

Lastly, Professor at Georgia State University, Dr. Beth Cianfrone, gave advice to the female athletes on her personal experiences in the sports industry and as a previous athlete.

Beth Cianfrone volunteering at the Superbowl Event

“I’d encourage girls to work hard and pursue whatever career path (or sport) they are interested in, even if they aren’t sure how to get there”, said Cianfrone. “I followed a career in the sports business industry, which is a male-dominated field, and I didn’t know many people in that industry. I worked hard to learn from those around me and my professors. I think with practice, studying, and preparing, you can put yourself into a position to succeed, no matter what you do.”

This annual National Girls & Women In Sports Day highlights women leaders 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. 

Soccer in the Streets staff member gets a mention in the UK New Year's Honors List

Soccer in the Streets staff member gets a mention in the UK New Year's Honors List

Director of Strategic Projects, Sanjay Patel

Over the New Year, Soccer in the Streets Director of Strategic Projects, Sanjay Patel was recognized in the UK New Year’s Honours List by being awarded as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire(MBE) for services to Social Mobility, the promotion of Prosperity and to Education in Atlanta through soccer. This award was mainly in part to Sanjay’s work involving the StationSoccer initiative which was conceptualized back in 2014. 

British Consul General, Andrew Staunton spoke highly about Sanjay and the Soccer in the Streets community.

“I’m delighted that Sanjay’s contribution has been recognized by Her Majesty The Queen,” said Staunton. “He has made a difference in the lives of many through a shared love and passion for football.  Sanjay and those involved with Soccer in the Streets have given the chance to play, live, and learn together.”

Award recipient, Sanjay Patel stated- 

“I am very proud to receive this recognition, in addition, much credit to everyone at Soccer in the Streets, our amazing partners, and the communities we serve. It goes to show the craziest of ideas are possible and if you really believe in something, never give up.”

Today, the StationSoccer project has grown to include four-station projects and there is more to come in the pipeline.

Soccer in the Streets, Executive Director, Phil Hill stated-

“Sanjay has been passionate and worked night and day to make this project happen. It’s fantastic that he’s been recognized, it’s a great accomplishment for him and our organization.”

To learn more about this award, click here

To learn about StationSoccer, click here