Collaborative Develops Winning Game Plan for Future at Symposium
Continuing its commitment to support the development of soccer programs in economically disadvantage urban areas, the U.S. Soccer Foundation recently joined members of the Urban Soccer Collaborative at its 2nd Annual Symposium.
The Urban Soccer Collaborative is a national network of organizations currently operating soccer-based educational programs for children and youth in urban and underserved communities. Its vision is to make a positive impact on society through soccer.
The Mission of the Urban Soccer Collaborative (USC) is to support and promote youth soccer programs in underserved communities through a cooperative platform designed to provide opportunities, resources and standards of excellence.
Hosted by Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, and supported by the Starfinder Foundation and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the April 10th-12th Symposium featured a wide range of workshops and discussion sessions focused on strengthening the framework of the Collaborative, sharing strategies for running successful urban soccer programs and facilitating networking among the participating groups.
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Members of the Urban Soccer Collaborative take part in one of the Symposium's brainstorming sessions.
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“These past two days have been like a cool drink of water after coming out of the hot desert,” said Mike Herman, President of the Compton United Soccer Club (California). “Before meeting this collaborative, we felt like we were all alone using soccer as the vehicle to reach and develop players from the inner-city. Now I know we have a network of like minded, innovative people that will be the guiding force in realizing the potential of soccer within the inner - city and make soccer accessible to everyone.”
The events kicked off with working sessions on Thursday, April 10th, where Collaborative members laid out a detailed fundraising plan and finalized the group’s vision, mission and goals.
One of the main goals laid out by the Collaborative is to grow its membership base. Since the first symposium in 2007, the Collaborative has more than doubled in size and continues to grow as word travels about its mission. The Collaborative is also working to develop a marketing campaign and formalize partnerships with corporate and non-profit entities for sponsorship support.
The Collaborative plans to create an online resource center of best practices for organizations that operate soccer programs in urban or underserved communities. This website will play an integral part in achieving the Collaborative’s mission to provide a cooperative platform of opportunities, resources and standards of excellence of urban soccer programming.
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Members of the Urban Soccer Collaborative at the 2nd Annual Symposium
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On the second day of the symposium, session topics included: defining measurable outcomes from urban soccer programs; developing partnerships with universities and colleges and implementing coaching education. The group also discussed opportunities to create mentor programs and youth outreach events such as leadership camps.
At the end of the day participants were treated to a site visit to the Starfinder Foundation’s Urban Promise Center.
“I see tremendous potential to grow the game of soccer in urban and underserved communities across the U.S.,” said Tony Williams, President of the Urban Soccer Collaborative and the Starfinder Foundation. “The positive response to this collaborative symposium was another very important step towards building a cooperative platform and coordinated approach to create a winning game plan focused on what is best for the kids"
How You Can Get Involved:
- If you are currently operating or have an interest in operating soccer programs in urban or underserved communities and would like more information on joining the USC, please email Nate Thompkins at nthompkins@milwaukeewave.com
- If your business or organization may be interested in providing volunteers, in-kind consulting services or sponsorship or funding opportunities, please contact Tony Williams at tony@starfinderfoundation.org
Complete Listing of 2nd Annual Urban Soccer Collaborative Symposium Attendees
Complete Listing of Symposium Events
Learn More about the Urban Soccer Collaborative
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