Last weekend, the WPSL semi-pro team California Storm partnered up with Sactown FC podcast to host a used cleat drive, collecting close to 150 pairs of used cleats that will be donated to Street Soccer USA Sacramento. The cleat drive is part of a new initiative for Sactown FC and CA Storm called “Reboot.” The used cleats will go to the many youth and adults who participate in SSUSA programs and rarely have the resources to purchase and own their own cleats. SSUSA Sacramento is ecstatic to be able to offer another resource to the community we work with and making the game more accessible to all. Reboot is one of many ways that SSUSA Sacramento and CA Storm are planning to work together this year in making the game inclusive for all, both organizations are excited to demonstrate the impact that soccer can have on all, especially girls.
CA Storm and SSUSA have partnered on a variety of different events over the last few years to offer free community clinics to girls living in low income neighborhoods. CA Storm players have additionally volunteered at SSUSA youth tournaments, registered teams in the SSUSA Sac National Cup, and participated in donation drives. This year, we are planning to offer more opportunities in partnership with CA Storm by offering regular clinics, mentorships, outings, and soccer games to increase and promote the participation of girls of any background in having access to the benefits of team sports. We are excited to combine our efforts and encourage more girls to join our SSUSA programs and have more positive female mentors who are college and semi pro-athletes that they can see themselves in.
California Storm — whose mission is to inspire and empower by building self-confidence and leadership skills through the game of soccer — hosts players from many different backgrounds: from current college standouts and college soccer team coaches to former National, distinguished, and world-wide recognized professional players. From Ghana to Greece, international players from around the world seek a position with the California Storm. The Storm has been fortunate enough to have Brazilian star Sissi (named the 3rd best women’s soccer player to ever play the game by FIFA) continue to play at the highest level each year with the team. Outstanding college and post-collegiate athletes continue to choose the California Storm year after year to stay in shape and to build on their current skills. Whether they are planning on returning to their regular college season or are pursuing or have finished a professional soccer career, the Storm has helped to produce phenomenal career soccer players such as USA World Cup Winner Brandi Chastain and USWNT standout Alex Morgan.
Across the county, SSUSA has been working towards engaging more girls in our after-school programs, Street League, and neighborhood community clubs. Sacramento’s SSUSA chapter started to gain traction after starting one of the first all-women’s homeless adult programs, the Sacramento Lady Salamanders, and has always strived to make sure women and girls have equal access to the game and our programs. We are very proud of how many female SSUSA youth coaches have been delivering our programs and are very excited to be able to leverage the amazing, strong and diverse women who play for the CA Storm. We will be working strategically this year to make sure the girls in Sacramento who may not normally have access to soccer have the opportunity not only to play but to have positive role models who can demonstrate and show how hard work, dedication, and support can create more opportunities for them and their future