WASHINGTON, DC - D.C. United and its non-profit arm, United for D.C. announced today its partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to expand United Soccer Club over the next three years to seven, ten and 12 sites successively. United for D.C. and the U.S. Soccer Foundation will work together to support their missions to promote youth soccer in economically disadvantaged urban communities.
"United for D.C. and D.C. United are excited for the opportunity to bring United Soccer Club to more communities in Washington, D.C." says Kevin Payne, President and CEO of D.C. United and United for D.C. board member. "The support from the U.S. Soccer Foundation allows the program to expand its focus East of the River and eventually reach communities throughout the District to create opportunities for more young people to play soccer."
"The expansion of the United Soccer Club program creates exciting new opportunities for young boys and girls in our nation's capital to play and enjoy the game of soccer," said John Koskinen, President of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. "As the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the U.S., the Foundation is delighted to support the growth of the game in our own backyard through innovative programs like this one."
The 2008 expansion will introduce two new sites in the spring - Turkey Thicket Recreation Center in Ward 5 and Fort Davis Recreation Center in Ward 7, while continuing in the existing sites of Barry Farm Recreation Center, Robert V. Murray Clubhouse #11 and Ketcham Elementary School in Ward 8. An additional two sites will be added in the fall season to reach a total of seven by the end of 2008.
The five spring sites will begin between Monday, March 31 and Tuesday April 8, providing two after school sessions during the week and weekend games with Soccer on the Hill and Takoma Soccer League. In order to promote United Soccer Club at the new spring site Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, a kickoff event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25 from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
United Soccer Club was born from a request throughout Ward 8 for opportunities for their children to play organized soccer. In the spring of 2006, United for D.C. launched its own after-school soccer program, in partnership with DC Parks and Recreation at Barry Farm Recreation Center. The program runs for eight weeks, teaching fundamental skills and hosting games and scrimmages.
United Soccer Club is one of the many community outreach ventures of United for D.C. Through the Kicks for Kids program, more than 10,000 underprivileged children will have an opportunity to watch United play this season alone. United Reads, currently presented in six DC elementary schools, distributed nearly 8,000 books during player visits to each classroom throughout the spring.
Schedules and locations for the Club are as follows:
Barry Farm Parks and Recreation Center
1239 Sumner Rd. SE
Schedule: Monday/Wednesday 3:30-5:00 p.m.
March 31 - May 21, 2008
Robert V Murray Metropolitan Police Clubhouse #11
620 Milwaukee Pl. SE
Schedule: Tuesday/Thursday 5:00-6:30 p.m.
April 1- May 22, 2008
Ketcham Elementary School
1919 15th St. SE
Schedule: Tuesday/Thursday 3:30-5:00 p.m.
April 8 - May 29, 2008
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center
1100 Michigan Ave. NE
Schedule: Monday/Wednesday 4:30-6:00 p.m.
April 1 - May 22, 2008
Fort Davis Recreation Center
1400 41st Street, SE
Schedule: Tuesday/Thursday 4:30-6:00 p.m.
April 8 - May 29, 2008
