Success Stories

Soccer stretches legs for diversity

By John Harvey | The Virginia Gazette

JAMES CITY - A few years ago, Sherlanda Buskey and Kendall Pressey couldn’t tell you the difference between a direct kick and a bicycle kick.

Today they are masters of both techniques, thanks to the growth of the Virginia Legacy Soccer Club’s Partnership Program.

In 2003, Al Albert, the father of soccer camps in Williamsburg, set up a program to make soccer more inclusive through clinics, camps and rec league play. It was part of a national movement called the Urban Soccer Collaborative, promoting social change through soccer.

“The initial idea of the community partnership was to create programming to increase the diversity of the soccer club,” Albert said in an interview. “The obvious issue was the lack of participation in the African-American community, but we have also been able to engage other aspects of the underserved communities as well.”

To finish reading the entire article, click here.

(The Virginia Gazette, May 7, 2008)

Soccer in the Streets

• Two Soccer In The Streets kids from last year's streetfootballworld festival 07 team are heading to the U23 National Cup finals in Seattle, WA. Cesar Terrazas and Miguel Pinzon are members of the Lawrenceville FC team that won the Region III tournament in Cumming, GA in June. The team is coached by Soccer In The Streets Program Director Ricardo Montoya, and he is assisted by Communications Director Jason Longshore.
• Amidst all the talk of David Beckham joining MLS, the stellar play of Ricardo Clark has not gone unnoticed. Ricardo participated in a Soccer In The Streets program in Jonesboro, GA when he was little, and has been involved as the Houston Dynamo representative to our affiliate in Houston over the past couple of years. He was noted as one of the best players on the field during the MLS All-Star Game, scored a goal against Paraguay in the Copa America, and was a key contributor to the Gold Cup championship team. Bravo Ricardo!

(Soccer In the Streets - The Street Corner: Edition #4, 2007)

Soccer in the Streets - A BASN Interview with Jill Robbins

Jill Robbins, the Executive Director of Soccer in the Streets was recently featured in an article on the Black Athlete Sports Network website. Read some of the highlights of her interview below, or click here for the full article.

MIAMI -- Jill Robbins is the Executive Director of Soccer in the Streets, an Atlanta based organization that is committed to building the life of kids and their families through soccer and improving the quality of life in the heart of the country's urban communities. She recently spoke to BASN's Andrew Dixon about the program and her hopes for the kids it serves.

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BASN: Soccer in the Streets has had several initiatives to increase the exposure and playing opportunities in the inner city such as the Street Box and the Soccer Bus. Can you explain what those are?

J.R.: Street Box, that's the brand name for the tennis court conversion where we use small spaces into a football court. We're looking at surfaces that hold up to weather and constant use, durable low maintenance and that are safe. Tennis courts lend themselves quite well to that and we're looking at some other options with the US Soccer Foundation with a rubberized surface or something life a field turf.

The Soccer Bus, well, we took an old Penske truck and converted into a soccer clubhouse on wheels. We have televisions and cushy seats so that the kids can come and watch soccer games. It's really all about bringing the soccer culture to the community so that kids can watch players they can emulate and inspiring them to follow after something besides whatever bling bling rapper is out there.

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To finish reading the entire interview, click here.

(Andrew Dixon III, Black Athlete Sports Network, 7/26/07)

STARFINDER Foundation

Citizens Bank and Its Partners Have Named Starfinder Foundation as a Champion in Action!

Starfinder is thrilled to announce that we have been named as a Citizens Bank Champion In Action! On Thursday, April 19th, 2007, while Starfinder was hosting a “Passport to Excellence Day” for thirty children from Powell Elementary School and Fitz-Simons Middle School, executives from Citizens Bank, NBC 10, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News, and Greater Philadelphia Cares dropped by to announce, on live television, that Starfinder has been chosen to receive their prestigious award! The Champions in Action program is a unique initiative, created by Citizens Bank and its partners, that is designed to reward non-profit organizations that work hard to initiate positive change in the community and to improve life for everyone. With this recognition, Starfinder will receive the following from Citizens Bank, NBC 10, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, Philly.com, and Greater Philadelphia Cares: a $25,000 contribution, media coverage including public service announcements, volunteer support, and public relations support. 

Tony Williams, Starfinder’s President and Founder, says “Starfinder’s staff and Board of Directors are honored and energized by this award. We are excited about the opportunities it provides to raise the awareness of our programs and provide more children with the opportunity to have fun whilst developing character and leadership through soccer.”

(Starfinder Foundation, 4/24/07)

SOCCER IN THE STREETS

• Anson Dorrance, the women's soccer coach at the University of North Carolina and the 2006-07 recipient of the NSCAA Women's Committee Award of Excellence, chose Soccer In The Streets as the beneficiary of a $2,000 sponsorship grant from Washington Area Girls Soccer.  Anson has been a supporter of Soccer In The Streets from the early days, congratulations on your award and thank you!
• An update on Kiki Willis from Youngstown, Ohio; he signed a developmental contract with DC United of Major League Soccer. Kiki's first coach in Youngstown was staff coach Harvey Robbins. The lessons he learned in Soccer In The Streets programs have helped him along his path to becoming a professional soccer player and an inspirational individual. Best of luck this season Kiki!

(Soccer In The Streets, 4/9/07)

UNITED SOCCER CLUB

"They teach you how to do new stuff like keep the ball up in the air with your knees and feet.  I want to be a soccer player when I grow up and play for D.C. United."

—Donald, Age 9

THE EDDIE POPE FOUNDATION

"I kept playing in the league and I stayed more out of trouble, more athletic, and a leader.  Eventually, I started putting down the baseballs, bats, basketballs and footballs --- and I just started loving the game of soccer more and more.  By my freshman year (in high school), I eventually claimed my sport and it was soccer!!! I played all four years in high school and I also played on a local traveling team.  The Pope Family, I thank you for everything, yall have brought me so much joy, good tears, and great opportunities.  Especially to Eddie Pope, thanks ... I look up more to you than my 3 brothers, than M. Jordan, than any other athlete.  You are a great man that sparked my life and thanks for being a great role model!!!"

—Daniel, Started playing soccer in the Eddie Pope Urban Soccer league in elementary school. Now he attends Gardner-Webb University on a soccer scholarship.

PROJECT GOAL

"The months they have spent with you has been the happiest time ever in their lives. They make new friends and travel to different states. They are always excited when they come home. You have been a blessing to me by training my children in soccer and helping them with their studies..."

— Oretha Karfear,  Originally from Liberia (Mother of Phillip and Wilfred Ghanyea, Providence - Nathan Bishop Middle School)