Thank you US Soccer:
U.S. SOCCER COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, PRESENTED BY ALLSTATE, WILL DRIVE LOCAL IMPACT TO COMPLEMENT USMNT WORLD CUP QUALIFYING MATCH VS. CANADA IN NASHVILLE, TENN.
Programs Serve as Part of “One Nation” Initiative; Designed to Further Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
CHICAGO (Aug. 30, 2021)— As part of the “One Nation” social responsibility platform, a series of U.S. Soccer community programs, presented by Allstate, will take place around the U.S. Men’s National Team’s World Cup qualifying match vs. Canada in Nashville, Tenn.
The USA faces Canada on Sept. 5 in its second of 14 matches in the Final Round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying, known as the “Octagonal.” In the run-up to and during the game, these community engagement initiatives are designed to drive positive impact around Nashville in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
In the United States, many youth coaches do not have access to adequate training. U.S. Soccer has introduced the Coach for Community program to serve not only as an introduction to teaching the game, but also to improve sporting experiences within communities, particularly underserved areas that may lack access and training for coaches, players and volunteers.
Coach for Community participants will learn about creating a positive, fun and player-centered environment using U.S. Soccer’s Play-Practice-Play methodology. U.S. Soccer and TSSA welcome individuals (coaches, volunteers, parents, etc.) of all levels who are interested in coaching children and helping to make youth soccer a better experience to register here.
Each individual that attends the Coach for Community clinic will also receive a $25 voucher to access one of U.S. Soccer’s Grassroots License Courses, free of charge.
ONE NATION COMMUNITY YOUTH PROGRAM
Together with Nashville Soccer Club, U.S. Soccer will host the One Nation Community Youth Program, designed to inspire local young adults to go for their goals, on Sept. 2, at Pearl Cohn High School in Nashville. The program seeks to demonstrate to youth that they can achieve great things no matter their background, aiming to broaden their career horizons and build their professional skills.
The Community Youth Program will include a sports career panel to increase awareness around career opportunities in sports and small-group sessions to enhance life skills that can contribute to future success. The panel will feature a diverse slate of speakers working in a variety of off-the-field functions in the sports industry, and the small-group sessions will include topics on goal setting, networking, collaboration, conflict resolution and resilience skills.
GAME AMBASSADOR
U.S. Soccer will recognize National Soccer Hall of Famer Desmond Armstrong as its One Nation Game Ambassador in Nashville. Game Ambassadors are selected for their impact in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Armstrong made 81 appearances for the USMNT and was one of the first U.S.-born Black players to play in the World Cup. Now, Armstrong serves as director for East Nash Soccer and founded the Heroes Futbol Association travel team in 2004.
U.S. Soccer honored its first series of Game Ambassadors during the USMNT and U.S. Women’s National Team’s June matches. In Salt Lake City, for USMNT vs. Costa Rica, the Federation honored Libby Stockstill, a youth soccer coach using the sport to give back to her under-resourced community by building a competitive club team in her area.
In Houston, for the start of the USWNT’s Summer Series, Duane Scott was recognized for his work with the local chapter of the National Society of Black Sports Professionals. At the USWNT’s match in Austin, 4ATX Foundation Director of Youth Development Jordan Marden was honored for her work with the Verde Leaders, using soccer as part of a positive youth development program.
Most recently, ESPN’s Courtney Pollack was named Game Ambassador in Hartford, Conn. for her deep involvement in the community and with the company’s LGBTQ+ resource group.
U.S. Soccer is partnering with KultureCity to make the gameday experience sensory inclusive. KultureCity is a leading non-profit recognized nationwide for using its resources to revolutionize and affect change in the community for those with sensory needs, not just those with autism. “In an effort to enhance their gameday experience, fans with sensory needs will be able to check out sensory bags at no cost during the match.”
U.S. Soccer has also partnered with Vote.org to drive voter registration for important state and local elections, highlighting the initiative with in-game video board graphics and stadium announcements.
The World Cup qualifier in Nashville will also mark the return of CHAMP - a custom Volkswagen telepresence robot that will allow young soccer fans facing hardship to virtually participate in pregame ceremonies. Young U.S. Soccer superfan Alec Hamilton will take the field for the National Anthem with USMNT players. Alec has Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and asthma. He has also overcome many other medical challenges early in his life including External hydrocephalus (EH), speech and developmental delays, and chronic ear infections. He has played soccer since he was three years old.
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