The results are in!
We are thrilled to share with you the positive health results of an independent evaluation of our nationally recognized afterschool program, Soccer for Success. The evaluation, supported by the Social Innovation Fund (SIF), a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), examined the health and fitness outcomes of children participating in Soccer for Success as compared to children enrolled in non-athletic, non-nutrition-based afterschool programs in the same communities.
The study found that improvements in health and fitness of Soccer for Success children were statistically significantly greater than those of children in non-Soccer for Success programs. Overall, more children enrolled in Soccer for Success decreased their BMI percentiles, transitioned to healthier BMI percentile categories, decreased their waist circumference size, and improved their aerobic capacity (as shown in higher numbers of completed PACER laps) as compared to non-program children.
This study validates the power of using soccer as a vehicle for social change. Furthermore, this news motivates us to greatly expand Soccer for Success across the country so that more children can benefit from its positive health outcomes.