Passback Tour Summer Recap

The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Passback Tour stopped in 10 cities this summer providing 1,365 children free soccer clinics, while spreading the word about living healthy lifestyles. Through the Passback Tour’s sponsorship of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health’s Get Up! Get Moving! program, free health screenings were also offered to nearly 10,000 people over the course of the Tour. Each site had a local health organization offering a variation of health services, included readings of blood pressure, cholesterol, vision and dental screenings. The Tour also served as a catalyst for highlighting each State’s commitment to wellness and exercise for a healthy mind, body and spirit. For example, in Chicago, Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor, Richard M. Daley, issued proclamations making May 15, 2010 ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!™ day.

Passback Tour sites included:

• March 20: Phoenix, AZ
• May 15: Chicago, IL
• August 28: Albuquerque, NM
• August 29: New York, NY
• September 11: Dallas, TX
• September 18 & 19: Seattle, WA
• September 25: San Diego, CA
• October 16: Los Angeles, CA
• October 23: Boston, MA
• November 6: Houston, TX

Over 115 local soccer coaches volunteered their time at the tour stops – offering a nearly a 12:1 ratio, ensuring that each child who participated received quality soccer instruction. A total of 25 local, existing soccer organizations were present at Tour stops ready to sign-up children for future involvement within their programs.

Sportacus, the main character of the popular kid’s TV program, LazyTown, joined the fun for the majority of the events to promote the importance of staying active. Sunsweet also provided healthy snacks as another way to stress the value of proper nutrition throughout the entire 2010 Passback Tour. In addition, every participant received a soccer ball, as well as a t-shirt from Fox Soccer Channel.

The Passback Tour serves as a culmination of what the U.S. Soccer Foundation strives for each and every day. By introducing children to soccer, supporting free family-focused health screenings, and providing information on the importance of proper nutrition this Tour serves as an important program that reaches all corners of the United States. The U.S. Soccer Foundation designed the Passback Tour to have a lasting impact within the communities visited.

See Action from the Dallas Passback Tour Event

Donate to support the U.S. Soccer Foundation »

Full List of Passback Tour Stops »

First Lady Michelle Obama Kicks-Off the Tour »