Urban Soccer Collaborative Home > Resource Center

Sustainability

"The essential element from the Starfinder model is identifying community leaders and soccer champions.  Once you have found someone in the community that will sustain the program, give them the empowerment and resources needed"

A consistent presence in a child's life is the cornerstone of a successful urban soccer program. A consistent program provides participating children with the following:

• A chance to express affinity and pride in their affiliation with the program
• A consistent source of positive attention which some don't receive anywhere else

Tip: Recruit committed community members who are passionate about the children and the program.

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Transportation

Providing transportation for all participants is essential, as the need for transportation to and from games, training, and events is one of the most significant obstacles to sustained participation for urban youth players.

Tip: Schedule your program to begin right after the school day ends.  This allows you to connect with the children before they have spread out to their different neighborhoods.

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Location, Location, Location

The old adage proves true when running an urban soccer programs.  Location is key to success.  Bring the program to the children.

Tip: Set up programs and organize games in the children's communities and neighborhoods to significantly reduce obstacles and increase participation. Meet the children where they are.

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Available Facilities

A program with its own facilities (fields, classrooms, etc.) has a significantly greater likelihood of success than those programs that are constantly seeking to utilize facilities of schools, park departments, etc.

Tip: Apply for a grant from the US Soccer Foundation to assist with your program and build a new facility!  Also, be sure to check out the US Soccer Foundation's Partners Resource Center and Field Building Handbook. 

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Parental Participation

Engage parents in the program and in their child's participation.  Hold the parents accountable and set high standards for their support and participation.

Tips:  Implement a short activity into the program where parents and children work together to set goals for themselves and each other.  Revisit these goals throughout the program so parents stay engaged in their child's success in the program.

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Academic COMPONENT

It is important that an urban soccer program address the children's lives beyond the soccer field.  To achieve this, some programs include an academic component to their programming.  Soccer can be used as a carrot to motivate the children to become more consistent and motivated students.

Tip: If you don't have the resources to run academic programming in-house, partner with a community academic program or outsource the component.  Colleges and Universities are great sources for finding academic tutors, interns, and volunteers.

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Leadership

Incorporate the development of leadership skills into the program.  Encourage and train the children to be leaders in both the community and on the soccer field.

Tip: Get creative! The Starfinder Foundation has developed a program that educates and develops leadership skills by simulating travel to different parts of the world.  Children learn about a country, how soccer fits into that culture, and which inspirational leaders exemplify that culture.  The children then apply what they have learned by focusing on that leader's character traits during the life skills component of the curriculum, and then learn specific soccer skills that are reflective of the style of soccer played in that country.

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Partnerships

Form partnerships with other organizations, clubs, corporations, schools, and professional teams to increase the range of resources available to the children.

Tip: Partner with school teachers - they are highly invested in the children and have existing relationships with the children and their parents.

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Flexibility

Apply your program model to meet the specific needs and challenges of your community and children.  A cookie cutter model for urban soccer programming dropped into a particular community or school does not work.

Tip: Start designing your program today!  Pick and choose the lessons learned and best practices from this website that best meet your objectives and the unique characteristics of the community your program is serving.

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Female soccer role models

Exposure to female soccer role models provides important inspiration and motivation for young girls participating in these programs.

Tip: Invite local high school, college, and W-League players to serve as mentors for the children, provide skills clinics, or to volunteer for events.

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