Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean Street Soccer USA hasn’t been busy kicking it across the country! From surfing in the Bay Area to coaches trainings in Philadelphia, February was a busy month for SSUSA communities. Our staff was also hard at work preparing to launch our spring season nationwide, with exciting new programs launching in places like the Bronx, NY while we return to communities in Sacramento, Chicago and SF Bay Area.
Philadelphia
SSUSA held its first two Coaching Workshops in Philadelphia at the end of February with 48 coaches and volunteers attending and passing the Street Soccer USA Level 1 Coaching and Engagement Course. Participants learned about Street Soccer’s coaching methodologies, how to plan a practice, and how to execute their plans on the field. Kensington Soccer Club, one of Street Soccer USA’s affiliate club partners provided players for all field sessions. As players enjoyed themselves on the field, coaches watched and discussed the newly learned engagement strategies.
SF Bay Area
On Saturday February 25th, Street Soccer USA SF Bay Area teamed up with local non-profit City Surf Project to take 14 SSUSA youth surfing. The outing was a chance to bring youth from different communities together to experience surfing and the power of the ocean for the first time. SSUSA SF Bay Area continues to lead the country in its efforts to collaborate with local organizations who share SSUSA’s mission and philosophy that sports based youth development is critical in supporting underserved communities.
Sacramento
This month SSUSA Sacramento is excited to launch its spring programming in Oak Park, South Sacramento and North Sacramento in partnership with Oak Park Community Center, Sacramento Parks and Rec, Way Up Sacramento, Mack Road Partnership and City of Sacramento Hot Spots. SSUSA will be providing our Soccer Community Club and Soccer After School programing for children ages 6- 18 yrs. We are excited to welcome back coaches Tiffany Fraser, Quynn Meyers-Keller, Lisa Wrightsman, Unique Torres and new coach Shauntel Payton! Click HERE to read more about the types of programming being offered, the locations and different ages served. For more information about SSUSA Sacramento’s programming or to register for spring 2017, please email lisa@streetsoccerusa.org.
In other news from the region, the City of Sacramento is taking serious measures to invest more in the youth of Sacramento by hiring teens for parks jobs and expanding programs. Street Soccer USA Sacramento couldn’t be more excited to be included in this effort as well as new initiatives which will provide our youth with more opportunities to be successful and healthy.
New York City
Brooklyn: SSUSA’s New York team is busy getting ready for our spring season! In preparation, we’re hosting a Coaches Training for current coaches, new hires, and volunteers on March 11th at SSUSA partner school, Cristo Rey High School in Flatbush, Brooklyn. We’ll also host Open Houses in each of our four Brooklyn communities welcoming players, their families, and supporters of SSUSA to come out and meet the coaches, get their spring schedules, win prizes, and celebrate the start of our season. Community Club teams in East New York, Flatbush, Sunset Park, and Red Hook are all kicking off on March 20th!
Bronx: SSUSA NYC’s new program at Community School 55 in Claremont Village, Bronx will kick off on March 18th. SSUSA is excited to bring “Soccer Saturdays” to the borough, as are leaders in the community. “For a lot of our students, the soccer program will be an escape from the stresses of life” said Luis Eladio Torres, Principal Public School 55. “The children need to be able to come to the school and know they will be part of a team, and no matter what we will keep them safe. I rather have our children kicking soccer balls than running around the streets.
Queens: Street Soccer USA’s newest partner, the Walter Crowley School (I.S. #5) in Elmhurst, Queens is hosting the inaugural District 24 Street Soccer Cup in Elmhurst, on March 18, 2017. The Cup, a tournament among District 24 middle schools, will take place from 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM on the school grounds of Intermediate School #5. This event promises to bring out school spirit, student pride, and a healthy dose of sportsmanship among participating teenagers and their peers.
Chicago
SSUSA Chicago is ending our winter session with record seasons of 7-4 for the adult men, 6-5 for the adult women and an 8-3 season for the U-17 boys from our community club programming. Our spring seasons will kick off mid March for Chicago’s youth, adult and older teams. Finally, Chicago’s after school programming has begun it “spring cleaning” initiative, focusing on our personal development as well as education for program participants.
Coach Trainings in NYC, Sacramento and the Bay Area:
Street Soccer USA is continuing its wave of coaching education across the U.S.. March offers several coaching workshop and engagement opportunities. For more information, please contact the National Program Director (oliver@streetsoccerusa.org) or your specific program hub Manager (charles@streetsoccerusa.org – NYC; ben@streetsoccerusa.org – Bay Area; lisa@streetsoccerusa.org – Sacramento).