Bring Soccer In The Streets to my city?

Are you thinking about starting a Soccer In The Streets program in your area? If so, it would one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Soccer In The Streets has provided programming for 20 years to various communities around the country. Our programs have brought distinction, pride and visibility to communities as well as educated the youth, adults and families in the community through soccer, education and mentoring.

Here are some basic things you should know about organizing a local program:

What it takes to run a local Soccer Streets program

The following elements are the basic needs of any local Soccer In The Streets program:

• Strong, committed program director (10-15 hours per week time requirement) - a program director would be someone who is committed to the children and the community; a volunteer with a willingness to sacrifice time, energy, money and other pursuits in order to promote the program or currently in a position that would include a SoccerStreets program as part of the job description/responsibilities
• Coaching expertise (some soccer background) with a desire to promote the game of soccer; familiarity and knowledge of local soccer community
• Resources - contacts (political, children/youth services, support organizations, education, media, mainstream soccer community), financial, facilities, equipment " Community support - government, civic, youth services, education, business
• Parental support - minimal commitment required (at least will fill out paperwork and attend one activity and one meeting)
• Children registered - preferably through a local school, community center or social service agency (name, birth date, address, phone, parents’ name, contact info, and profile.) The target participants are school age (6 to 17 years old) boys and girls, and their families.

What a Soccer In The Streets Program will do in a Community

In the past, Soccer in the Streets has been able to gain entry and flourish in areas where traditional soccer programs fear to tread. The overall approach has been proven effective and still evolves to best serve the areas where kids have been excluded from mainstream soccer programs.

The menu of Soccer In The Streets program offerings include:

• Introductory programs - First Goal Kickoff events including in-school demonstrations, field days, and Super Soccer Shows
• Life Skills - Positive-Choice Soccer, which matches life skills with corresponding soccer skills
• Team and League development - Street-Cup tournaments, Streets’ Leagues, collaboration with existing clubs and leagues
• Career Exploration - School of Life, which uses soccer to give hands-on career experience, tutoring, and mentoring

Outcome measures

To insure that the children are being served and the program is being run efficiently, the following guidelines have been suggested for monitoring the program effectiveness:

• Percentage of participants attending each session
• Ratio of graduates to participants
• Number of participants
• Number of registered teams (Soccer 102/ Soccer 103)
• Exhibit soccer skills proficiency, individual
• Exhibit soccer skills proficiency, team
• Level of order/discipline/self control/ individual responsibility
• Display of leadership/ team captains/ responsibility
• Academic achievement/ tracking (basic categories)
• Program visibility
• Sponsorship

Your call to action

This basic overview has been given in an effort to provide you with the knowledge needed to start and run a successful Soccer In The Streets program. To get the ball rolling, you need to contact the national headquarters office to find out about affiliate membership opportunities.

Write to:

Soccer In The Streets 
2323 Perimeter Park Drive NE 
Atlanta, GA 30341

ATTN: Jill Robbins

By phone: (678) 993-2113

Or via email at jill@soccerstreets.org