Downtown United Soccer Club, U.S. Soccer Foundation, And NYC Department of Education Collaborate to Engage Local Youth in Soccer Programming

New York, NY – Downtown United Soccer Club, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and the New York City Department of Education today announced a partnership to expand Soccer for Success through the city’s CHAMPS before and afterschool program. Through the partnership, as many as 2,000 students will be engaged in Soccer for Success, the Foundation’s afterschool program offered free to participants and proven to establish healthy habits and deliver positive heath and youth development outcomes.

The collaboration also supports the Foundation’s It’s Everyone’s Game campaign to ensure children in underserved neighborhoods can benefit from all that the game of soccer has to offer. This program year, the Foundation is on track to engage 100,000 children nationwide in Soccer for Success.

“We are thrilled to collaborate in this innovative partnership to provide opportunities for all players to be active and engaged in the beautiful game,” said Tom Frambach, General Manager at Downtown United Soccer Club.

“We are excited to continue to expand access to the game across New York City,” said U.S. Soccer Foundation President & CEO Ed Foster-Simeon. “It is through partnerships like these that we can ensure that children have the opportunity to cultivate critical life skills that help them achieve success both on and off the pitch.”

“We’re incredibly excited to start this partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Downtown United Soccer Club to keep our kids moving and active. Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our students, and this collaboration provides our students with the tools to lead healthy and productive lives throughout their time in school and beyond,” said Deputy Chancellor of School Climate and Wellness LaShawn Robinson.

Supported by CHAMPS and Downtown United staff, U.S. Soccer Foundation representatives recently held a local training wherein CHAMPS teacher-coaches became certified Soccer for Success coach-mentors. This first year of partnership extends to June 30^th, 2019. Every participant will receive a ball and jersey.

This collaboration represents a significant milestone on the way to engaging one million children annually in Soccer for Success by 2026 as a part of the It’s Everyone’s Game movement. For more information, how to stay updated, and ways to get involved, visit itseveryonesgame.org.

ABOUT CHAMPS

The CHAMPS Sports and Fitness Program is an initiative of the New York City Department of Education’s Office of School Wellness Programs. CHAMPS promotes physical activity among children in elementary and middle school before and after the school day. The program helps students engage in activities regardless of athletic or physical ability and promotes connections and involvement throughout the school community. The name CHAMPS derives from the initials of the five values that define its participants: Cooperative, Healthy, Active, Motivated, and Positive Students.

ABOUT DOWNTOWN UNITED SOCCER CLUB

Downtown United Soccer Club, Inc. is organized as a 501c(3) not for profit entity to educate, train and inspire youth soccer players of all ages and abilities in a positive, respectful, supportive environment. To foster a community that reflects the diversity of New York City in which children can develop a lifelong love for the beautiful game and realize their full potential as both players and people. As New York City’s most progressive soccer club, Downtown United Soccer Club is committed to providing access to high quality soccer environments for all. Stay up-to-date by following us on Twitter at @DowntownUtdSC and Facebook at www.facebook.com/downtownunitedsoccerclub.

ABOUT U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION

They U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs are the national model for sports-based youth development in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has established programs proven to help children embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while nurturing their personal growth beyond sports. Its cost-effective, high-impact initiatives offer safe environments where kids and communities thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization. For more information visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org or follow us on Twitter at @ussoccerfndn and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ussoccerfoundation.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Arnold
jarnold@ussoccerfoundation.org
202.872.6662