National Training Goes on the Road

And Soccer for Success After-School Turns 15!

At this year’s event, we took our National Training event on the road to Chicago! The annual signature event marks the beginning of the 2024-25 Soccer for Success After-School program year. The training prepares leaders from across the country to become certified to lead in-person local trainings with coach-mentors who will utilize both Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Nutrition Education curricula with their players.

The event provides a supportive environment for participants to expand their knowledge in soccer, positive youth development, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed practices while developing skills in leadership, public speaking, coach-mentorship, and facilitation. Overall, attendees become advocates of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programming across diverse community contexts and will be motivated to help youth achieve their fullest potential.

Event attendees also heard from young leaders and coach-mentors Yahir, Thomas, and Armando during a panel. The fun part? They were all once Soccer for Success participants themselves!

Additionally, attendees had the chance to hear and learn from Dr. Ashley Gaddy Robbins, who presented on a framework that encourages individuals to share their lived experiences and provides practices for responding thoughtfully. This workshop builds on how we train coach-mentors to respond to situations with empathy, addressing how to create environments that foster authentic connections and conversations with youth.

This year’s National Training brought together 58 Trainers and 10 Facilitators from 33 organizations.

Learn more about Soccer for Success here.