SAY Soccer is excited to announce the acceptance of an
Innovate to Grow Fund grant from U.S. Soccer. The grant funds will go towards increasing
participation by introducing new programming in rural, underserved, and
majority-minority communities.
U.S. Soccer's Board of Directors approved nearly 1.2 million dollars to help build soccer
at the grassroots level. As one of 17 programs selected by U.S. Soccer, SAY’s
proposal was required to meet certain criteria, including:
-The program must be new and different from current efforts.
-The program must demonstrate capability to grow
participation.
-The program must demonstrate potential to scale in other
markets.
-The program must align with U.S. Soccer player development
initiatives.
SAY’s proposal featured a new and innovative plan to grow
the number of pre-school aged players through a program dubbed SAY Starters.
The approved grant is specifically aimed at growing numbers within rural and underserved
communities.
Why Rural Soccer
Needs Our Focus
According to Doug Wood, Executive Director of SAY, “The
typical discussion in the soccer community points to inner-city youth soccer
players in the United States as being underserved. While this is true, rural
soccer communities are often overlooked as an area for potential growth.”
In Fall of 2019, SAY Starters will launch in the Five Points
Area of Southeastern Ohio. It is our hope that over three years, this program
will grow player participation while improving youth soccer coaches’
acclimation to U.S. Soccer philosophies.
SAY Starters Program
The SAY Starters program is designed to introduce the 3U-4U
player to the game of soccer in a fun and safe environment. This program has
been designed for preschool-aged kids so that they can work on a variety of different
skill-sets that will ultimately make them well-rounded, confident and
socialized young people. The most vital part of the SAY Starters program is
that the kids, parents and coaches have a fun soccer experience that will
encourage them to continue playing and participating in future years.
“I am very excited that US Soccer has backed SAY in planting
new programs in rural areas,” says National Education Manager Erika True. “Providing
soccer opportunities to young children in rural areas will hopefully help us
grow the game through increased participation in players, coaches and fans of
the game.”