Changing Lives . . . Growing the Game

5th Annual Urban Soccer Symposium presented by U.S. Soccer Foundation & the Urban Soccer Collaborative

April 4-6, Washington, DC - The U.S. Soccer Foundation and the Urban Soccer Collaborative hosted over 105 urban soccer programmers and speakers committed to enhancing the field of sports-based youth development at the fifth Annual Urban Soccer Symposium held at Georgetown University. This annual event is an opportunity for the urban soccer community to come together to share best practices, new ideas, learn how to maximize impact, and motivate one another.

Expert speakers, break-out sessions, networking, an advocacy day on Capitol Hill, motivational talks from athletes like Notah Begay III and Dominique Dawes, a drumming performance by Batala, and a soccer clinic and tournament are a just a few of the events held during the Symposium.

Download select presentations from the Symposium »

The expert panels and break-out sessions discussed topics like: adapting programs to cultural issues, how to use sports to reduce youth violence and gang participation, fundraising preparation lead by the Executive Director of the Foundation Center, Patricia Pasqual, and Analyzing the Non-Profit Landscape by Network for Good COO, Katya Andresen.

Organization-oriented topics included how to develop an effective board of directors, better fundraising, the importance of measurement and evaluation, and how to grow community partnerships to strengthen programming.

This year’s theme was “Changing Lives . . . Growing the Game,” a subject that was reiterated by the Symposium’s keynote speakers, Notah Begay III and Dominique Dawes. Notah Begay III, a PGA Tour professional, started the Notah Begay III Foundation as an organization devoted to helping Native American children by providing them soccer and golf opportunities to combat the health and wellness issues on Indian reservations throughout the American Southwest. Dominique Dawes, a Co-Chair of the President’s Council and Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, shared the importance coaches make in a child’s life as well as the health benefits by keeping children active through sports. The event was sponsored by Network for Good, Circa, Demosphere, and SCORE.

Stephanie McArdle, Symposium Attendee,
“This is my first time coming to this Symposium and I have to say that it is above and beyond my expectations -- in terms of the diversity of the people involved, their experiences, and also just an opportunity to meet so many great people and organizations doing similar things. I met a lot of people through this and I think we're going to keep in touch and do a lot of sharing of things that have helped us."

Dominique Dawes on the Importance of Coaches
“Coaches are able to leave such an amazing lasting legacy and that's why whenever I'm speaking to coaches, and me being somewhat of a part-time coach myself, just knowing that we are positive role models and that what we do and what we say is being watched and being heard by the young people around us -- it's up to us to make sure that we aren't just talking the talk but that we're walking the walk and that we're truly transforming the lives of the generation that we're working with.”

On Youth Development through Sport
“...It's also all those other intangibles like commitment, determination, work ethic, teamwork. All of those qualities that are not only going to help these young people flourish on the soccer field or in the gymnastics gym, but more importantly, in their lives, in the classroom and later on in college, in the Board room, in corporate America or wherever they choose to take their pursuits. I think that's what great about coaching because you, as a coach, can really help that child reach whatever it is they really want to reach for".

Marilyn Colon, Symposium Attendee, Just One Soccer League
“I'm very impressed by the Symposium. The information, all the program presenters were on point. Everything was detailed. I've gotten so much information from this Symposium that I don't even know where to start with when I get home.”