Washington, DC – The YMCA of Greater Boston announced today that it is teaming up with 15 other YMCAS across the USA and the U.S. Soccer Foundation to increase access to soccer in advance of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The goal of the joint campaign, The Road to 2026: Making an Impact in Local Communities, is to provide access to soccer and its health and wellness benefits to at least 1 million youth.
The U.S. Soccer Foundation and the YMCA of Greater Boston alongside other participating Ys will provide soccer programming for young people that helps develop physical, social, and emotional skills and expand safe places for them to play soccer across the country. The collaboration will include Ys offering the Foundation’s Soccer for Success after-school program and Just Ball League, where appropriate, as well as the installation of mini pitches. The Foundation and Ys will also work together to train coaches in high-quality mentorship and youth development principles to foster positive, inclusive, and safe experiences for youth.
“This joint campaign provides an opportunity to drive the change that really matters in communities—improved health and well-being of young people,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “While the world’s largest soccer event is coming back to the U.S., what is most important is that we can use that excitement and momentum around soccer to make a transformational impact on youth and communities that will last for generations to come.”
“Every time we offer a youth sports program at the Y, it’s an opportunity for so much more. It’s an opportunity for mentoring, healthy development, inclusion, diversity, and skill building,” said David Shapiro, YMCA of Greater Boston CEO. “With this marquee international event as a catalyst, we are so proud to have the opportunity to partner with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to incorporate their best-in-class staff and volunteer coach and mentor training and a host of other opportunities to utilize their expertise and leadership to get more kids in the region exposed to and excited about soccer, learning teamwork, getting physically active and making the social connections that will improve their overall health and wellbeing. ”
In addition to the YMCA of Greater Boston the 15 other participating Ys include:
- Greater Austin YMCA
- Greater Philadelphia YMCA
- Hockomock Area YMCA
- YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
- YMCA of Greater Houston
- YMCA of Greater Kansas City
- YMCA of Greater New York
- YMCA of Greater Seattle
- YMCA of Metro Atlanta
- YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
- YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
- YMCA of the North
- YMCA of San Francisco
- YMCA of San Diego
- YMCA of Silicon Valley
To launch the partnership, and in honor of Healthy Kids Day, the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the Ys are offering the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Coach-Mentor Training on April 28 and 30 to all branches in the partnership and celebrating the opening of a mini-pitch at the YMCA of Greater Seattle’s Auburn branch on April 29th. Both the April 28th and April 30th training will be offered virtually so that other staff, volunteers, and members of partner Ys across the country can also take part. Visit Coach-Mentor Training Resource Hub Registration to register for the training.
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs are the national model for sports-based youth development in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has established programs proven to help children embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while nurturing their personal growth beyond sports. Its cost-effective, high-impact initiatives offer safe environments where kids and communities thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
ABOUT THE YMCA OF GREATER BOSTON
The YMCA of Greater Boston is one of Massachusetts’ leading nonprofits committed to strengthening communities by improving health, empowering youth, and activating people for good. Every day the Y works with thousands of people to ensure that everyone has access to Y programs and services. As the nation’s fifth largest charity, the Y is creating a community of caring people through meaningful memberships. For more than 170 years, the Y has been developing skills and emotional well-being through education and training, welcoming and connecting diverse populations, preventing chronic disease, and building healthier communities. The YMCA of Greater Boston is America’s first Y founded in 1851. For more information visit ymcaboston.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
