Media Contact
Meredith McClure, U.S. Soccer Foundation, mmcclure@ussoccerfoundation.org, 202.872.6662
Ray Rudolph, CHA Sports, 518-453-4500
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the U.S., and CHA Sports, the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Partner for Soccer Facility Design and Planning Services, announced five grant awards valued at $40,000 as part of the Foundation’s 2010 Planning Grants Program.
The 2010 U.S. Soccer Foundation Planning Grant Recipients are:
- Fauquier County Soccer Club (Warrenton, VA)
- Freddy Fund (Dallas, TX)
- Saint Bernard Parish Government (Chalmette, LA)
- Southampton Soccer Association (Southampton, PA)
- Southernmost Soccer Association (Key West, FL)
Each 2010 Planning Grant Recipient receives $8,000 in the form of credit with CHA Sports for the production of a professional concept plan for their field building project. A properly developed concept plan guides the design and construction of soccer field projects in a coherent and unified way, establishes the proper sequencing and phasing for design and construction, integrates a project into an overall budget, builds momentum for future phases, and serves as a foundation for effective marketing, fundraising, and advocacy with decision-makers.
The U.S. Soccer Foundation partnered with CHA Sports, a leader in sports facility design and planning, to provide expert design and planning resources to ensure that these important projects launch successfully.
“A concept plan is an essential step in getting any successful field-building project off the ground.” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “These planning grants bring us one step closer to providing children of all ages with safe places to play the world’s most popular game as we work to keep them active, healthy, and engaged in activities that provide an alternative to negative influences.”
“Clough Harbour is thrilled to work with the impressive class of 2010 Planning Grant Recipients and looks forward to helping each and every one of them achieve their goal” said Ray Rudolph, a Director of CHA Sports. “We value our partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and are excited to provide the soccer community with a go-to resource for facility design and planning.”
Additional Information About 2010 Planning Grantees
Fauquier County Soccer Club (Warrenton, VA): The Fauquier County Soccer Club (FCSC) is planning to build a lighted, synthetic all-weather field in Fauquier Country at the Great Meadows Community Soccer Complex. Once all phases of construction are complete, this facility will be home to four soccer fields, an irrigation system, lights, and restrooms. FCSC is a charitable and educational organization formed to organize, advance, and foster enthusiasm for soccer in Fauquier and surrounding counties. One of their primary goals is to provide the opportunity for any boy or girl with a mental or physical disability to learn and play soccer through the TOPSoccer program.
Freddy Fund (Dallas, TX) : To honor the life of the late Federico “Freddy” Garcia, the Freddy Fund aspires to build a community-based, memorial soccer field in the Dallas neighborhood where Freddy was born and raised. The field will provide a safe place for youth in the socio-economically deprived community of Dallas to play soccer and engage in positive activities. Additionally, the Freddy Fund plans to build an outdoor futsal court which will encourage pick-up play and the development of soccer foot-skills – “something that Freddy had in abundance!” according to his friends and family. The Planning Grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation and CHA Sports will help the Freddy Fund focus their ideas into a reality and get them on the right track towards completing their project.
Saint Bernard Parish Government (Chalmette, LA): The athletics division of Saint Bernard Parish currently serves 1,800 children ages 4-14 – many of whom lived outside of the community while the parish was being rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina or in FEMA trailers next to their damaged homes. The Saint Bernard Parish Government plans to build a dedicated soccer facility in the community of Chalmette, LA. They are confident soccer can become the primary sport in their area through the creation of this facility and also serve the growing Latino population.
Southampton Soccer Association (Southampton, PA): The Southampton Soccer Association was established in 1981 and continues to provide youth soccer players, ages 4-18, with ample opportunity to play soccer in a positive, enjoyable, and safe setting. In addition to building a second field in Upper Southampton Township, the Southampton Soccer Association plans to install lighting, parking, concessions, bathroom facilities, and a playground. With these additions, the Southampton Soccer Association can accomplish its vision to become the primary community based soccer club in the Bucks County area, acknowledged as a leader and educator in fostering personnel growth and development for youth.
Southernmost Soccer Association (Key West, FL): Increased soccer play amongst the islands of Key West, FL has put public fields in high demand. One of Key West’s soccer fields, designated for U11-14 games, is being eliminated in the 2010-2011 school year, thus limiting places to play for youth soccer players around the area. In light of this problem, Southernmost Soccer Association plans to build a new field, less than a mile away from the current location, and provide approximately 200 girls and boys ages 10-14 with a new place to play soccer.
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation is the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States. Established in 1994, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has invested more than $51 million, supporting hundreds of projects in every state. The U.S. Soccer Foundation supports programs and field building projects that provide low income and at-risk youth in urban communities with soccer programs that promote education, healthy lifestyles, leadership and positive alternatives to drugs, crime and other at-risk behaviors. For more information, or to donate online, please visit ussoccerfoundation.org.
About CHA Sports
CHA Sports is a division of CHA, Inc., a full service planning and design firm with over 700 professionals located in offices throughout the United States. Their project portfolio includes sports fields, megaplexes, field houses, track & field venues, rinks, aquatic facilities, and arenas. In the 15 years since the group was formed, numerous colleges, universities, secondary schools, municipalities, and international sporting organizations have retained CHA Sports to plan and design their athletic facilities. For more information, please visit http://www.chacompanies.com/go/core-markets/cha-sports.
Media Request: When referring to the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States, please refer to the organization only as the U.S. Soccer Foundation or the Foundation, and never as USSF or US/U.S. Soccer. We appreciate your cooperation.
###
