For Immediate Release:
Contact:
USA: press@streetsoccerusa.org, (1) 212 400 7044
Europe: steve@pd90.com UK +44 (0)20 3239 3340
ENGLISH PREMEIR LEAGUE SOCCER PLAYER SPEAKS UP FOR IMPOVERISHED AMERICANS: EMMERSON BOYCE SIGNS ON AS FIRST INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR FOR STREET SOCCER USA
Wigan Athletic defender and Barbados National Team star, Emmerson Boyce ( http://www.emmersonboyce.com/ )has signed on to support the efforts of the homeless and the impoverished using sport as a tool to improve their lives in the United States. Emmerson will be actively involved in Street Soccer USA making personal appearances at SSUSA teams in various cities across all regions of the United States whilst also be sending some interactive correspondence through video messages during his 2010/11 English Premier League season campaign. SSUSA Teams are organized at homeless shelters, employment programs, and recovery houses to help teens and adults achieve positive outcomes in education, jobs, and housing placement.
Emmerson says, “ Soccer is a global sport, it can lift all of our spirits and improve all of our lives and I want to promote the use of the beautiful game in this way. It is a privilege and an honor to be named the first International Ambassador for Street Soccer USA. SSUSA is an amazing organization with true values mirroring those at the heart of soccer: Teamwork and Passion! I will be making regular visits to the SSUSA Teams which will give me a chance to hang out with the players and maybe pick up some SSUSA skills to bring back to England!!"
Street Soccer USA Founder, Lawrence Cann add, “Ending homelessness and poverty is indeed a team sport, and when athletes and world citizens like Emmerson join the team it affirms our players efforts, inspires our volunteers, and teaches us all the power we have as individuals to change our world.” Street Soccer USA works year round, but upcoming events include the Sport For Social Change Awards in Washington, DC on May 20th, the 20-city Street Soccer USA Cup in Washington, DC July30-August 1st where homeless youth and adults try out for the Street Soccer National Team for men and women to represent the country at the Homeless World Cup in September. Street Soccer USA enjoys the support of the Ted Leonsis Foundation, Deloitte, HELP USA, and the Great Washington Sports Alliance.
Steve Hawthorne from brand agency Pezzo Da Novanta ( http://www.pd90.com/ ) introduced Emmerson Boyce to SSUSA after reading about the organization during a US business trip and was inspired by the organization, teamwork and passion for the game. The result has been this expression of international solidarity and affirmation.
Emmerson Boyce is a proven top flight player and a key figure in the English Premier League and we welcome him as our first International Ambassador for SSUSA!
About Emmerson:
Emmerson Boyce plays for Wigan Athletic F.C and is one of the most feared defenders in the English Premier League with a good scoring record this season - http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10429~9091,00.html
Emmerson moved to Wigan Athletic F.C from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2006 and signed a four year contract to play top flight football in the English Premier League. Although Boyce plays primarily at right-back he is a talented defender who can also play in the centre or right side of the back four.
Emmerson Boyce started his career at Luton Town and made over 180 league appearances for the club. Whilst at
His strong performances for Crystal Palace in their 2004/05 Premiership campaign led to him being nominated for and picking up the Crystal Palace Player of the Year Award and eventually led to Wigan Athletic F.C. securing his services for the following season.
Described as a quick, strong and totally committed, Boyce was a huge star of the 06/07 season narrowly missing out on Wigan Latics Player of the Year. In 2008/09 his solid performances at both central defense and right-back made him a firm favorite of the Latics fans . His strong performances and dedication to the club has helped keep Wigan Athletic in the Premier League and established the team in what has been described as the toughest league in Europe. Although various teams chased him for the 2010/11 Premiership campaign Boyce signed a 3 year deal to remain at Wigan Athletic F.C.
Though born in England, Boyce's Barbados-born parents made him eligible to play for the Barbados National Team where he earned his first Cap on the 20th March 2008 playing in the World Cup qualifier against Dominican in Bridgetown (Barbados) - http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10429~1270547,00.html
Player Links:
· Official site link: http://www.emmersonboyce.com/
· ESPN News: http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/report?id=269806&cc=5739
· Telegraph Newspaper: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/wigan/6516322/Wigan-Athletic-1-Fulham-1-match-report.html
· Guardian Newspaper: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/dec/12/stoke-city-wigan-athletic-premier-league
About SSUSA:
Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) ( www.streetsoccerusa.org ) is sport for development program of HELP USA, which believes ending homelessness is a team sport. Through a systematic approach, SSUSA Builds community and trust through sport with participants and volunteers, transforming the context within which they live from one of isolation, abuse, and marginalization, to one of community, purpose, and achievement, requires participants to set 3, 6, and 12-month life goals, and empowers participants by providing access to services and educational/employment opportunities through our Jobs Academy.
Street Soccer USA Cup:
Programs train thrice weekly, go out in the community to compete in local leagues with volunteers, and unite annually at the biggest sport for social change even tin the United States, the 18-city Street Soccer USA Cup in Washington DC, July 30-August 1st.
Select program ambassadors, male and female, represent SSUSA in various amateur tournaments, including the Homeless World Cup, each year.
Impact of Project:
SSUSA has achieved a greater than 75% success rate working with a participant pool for which a 33% success rate is considered enormously successful. To date this accounts for placement of 485 homeless youth and adults in jobs and housing out of 617 team members. In fact, SSUSA claims a 90% success rate in terms of effecting positive measurable change in our participants’ lives when we consider other outcome such as addressing mental health / substance abuse issues, reducing recidivism in jails, etc. Likewise over 90% of participants show indications of improved self esteem, physical health, and social skills, all of which create a greater likelihood of reintegration and employment.
