The Soccer Across America program is designed to introduce the sport of soccer to youngsters living in communities not yet served by existing clubs and leagues. The program provides soccer training and administrative guidance to players and organizations that might otherwise not be exposed to the sport.
Through the assistance of STX Youth Soccer, the Soccer Across America program also helps new programs find the funding and equipment to begin and then expand their services. In the past several years, US Youth Soccer has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial and material support to programs across the country.
Program Goals
- To reach out to children in underserved and socio-economically disadvantaged places in order to offer them an ongoing program of positive sports activities through soccer.
- To increase participants’ self-esteem through participation in an organized and supportive program of team activities.
- To build positive social and life skills.
- To provide important opportunities for exercise and increase awareness of one’s own health through sports.
- To provide players with positive, cooperative and enjoyable after-school and spare time activities.
Program Audience
The Soccer Across America program targets disadvantaged children from the ages of 6 to 18 years old. These children may be classified as at-risk due to:
- Low household income
- Exposure to crime and drugs
- Language and cultural barriers (Soccer Across America is an excellent means of assimilation for first-generation American children.)
- Children of single-parent homes
- Children with learning disabilities
- Children without any organized after-school supervision (latchkey)
- Children who score low on TASP state testing and need additional motivation to excel in school
Program Contact
At STX Youth Soccer, we provide assistance and guidance to individuals who wish to implement or grow a local Soccer Across America program.
Read our guide to creating your own Soccer Across America Program.
For more information about our Soccer Across America program, please contact Denise Churchill.
To learn more, visit the US Youth Soccer Soccer Across America page.