Youth Soccer News: Soccer For All in New Jersey
MSSL’s Soccer for All is a youth development model that helps underprivileged, at-risk, and special-needs children discover the joys of playing soccer. Soccer programming is funded by MSSL and is provided to the community at no cost. Managed by Jorge Garcia and his professional coaching staff from First Touch Soccer, the sessions are geared to the children they serve. Soccer for All provides a safe and secure environment during school hours.
John Belluardo, a physical educaion teacher at Branch Brook Elementary attests, “Skills being taught are excellent and students will be able to take them home to practice and take them to the field. Fantastic coaching.”
Soccer is available to children all around the world. Children in places like Europe or South America are nearly born with a passion for the sport. All a child needs to play is an open space and a ball. So why is it so difficult for inner city kids in the United States to become involved with the world’s favorite sport?
There are reasons for this:
One, with obesity on the rise all over the world, especially in United States’ cities, it is obvious that children are not going outside and playing like they used too. Children are now more interested in television, video games, and iPads. Children need to be encouraged and given the opportunity to get of the couch and onto the soccer field.
Two, city streets and parks are not as safe as they used to be. Children are discouraged to play outside because of the dangers it entails. Stranger Danger is a very real concern for many parents. Children need to be supervised at all times, and many working parents don’t have the time to take their kids out to knock the ball around.
Ed Schmalz of the New Jersey State Police Department feels that the Soccer For All program is able to positively affect change and help combat the dangers plaguing city streets. “The Soccer For All Program provides an avenue for children to have a positive influence in their lives. Children are provided excellent coaching and mentorship at no cost, which is often a barrier for extra-curricular activities. Sports promote healthy living, wellness and values that will carry with the participants throughout their lives.”
Let’s not forget – youth soccer is a business at the end of the day. Sure kids can go outside and play soccer on their own, but as it was just pointed out, that is unlikely. Kids need to be on soccer teams or in soccer programs in order to be exposed to the sport. The only issue is that soccer is expensive. It cost money for coaches, trainers, uniforms, and travel. Money that many inner city families cannot afford.
But to reiterate, the mentorship comes at no cost! “Without this program my daughter would never be able to play, and she loves it! There is just not enough space in the recreational league and it cost a lot of money,” said a mother of a student who attends Branch Brook Elementary.
MSSL’s Soccer For All program aims to introduce the sport of soccer to children who may be hindered by one of the reasons mentioned above. Soccer for All wants to provide professional level training in order expose children to the sport, show them the value of teamwork and potentially encourage them to continue playing at a higher level. If nothing else, the program aims to be fun for the children to participate it!
Currently a pilot program is being run in Newark’s, Branch Brook Elementary School. Soon the program will be integrated in more local schools. As the program grows, Soccer for All plans to develop inter-community matches, leagues and tournaments.
The overall sentiment to the program appears to be very upbeat and optimistic. The principal at Branch Brook Elementary, Joseph Cullen, offered his perspective, “We are very happy with the program in our school. Our special needs children are given the opportunity to integrate with our other students. It has gone along way to teach our inner-city children teamwork. Also, they have all definitely improved with their soccer skills!”
