Grow the Game

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER

WORKING TO GROW THE GAME

Through the Grow the Game initiative, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is working to increase participation and experiences in soccer by bringing resources directly to underserved communities throughout its state association. That includes coach education, workshops, and clinics hosted by qualified trainers. Members can also receive new equipment and other resources to help grow the game. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Grassroots Soccer Manager JT Dorsey recently joined Touchline to share more information about the Grow the Game initiatives. By Dan Guttenplan

WHAT INSPIRED THE GROW THE GAME INITIATIVE?

“THE STATE ASSOCIATION has always looked to help its members, but ultimately it stemmed from the decrease in participation numbers across the state of Pennsylvania. Going back to 2003, participation in the city of Philadelphia is down 70%. We did some research to determine what happened. We found that a lot of local clubs and coaches didn’t receive enough help and support. We’re trying to create a place of learning and equity for people and organizations. The gap seems to be widening between programs that have resources and programs that don’t ultimately leave kids out of the game. Some of the smaller clubs are volunteer-based, and we want to help educate and present opportunities so that everybody can learn if they want. We want to help our members create safe and inclusive environments for all kids.”

HOW HAS THE PROGRESS BEEN SO FAR?

“WE WERE GETTING A LOT OF TRACTION AND then Covid hit. We restarted with learning opportunities through Zoom. Now we’re going to open our grants program in May. The mission of that is to help our members grow and rebuild the game in their communities. Across our state association soccer is down 30% because of the pandemic, so we’ve made it important to help our members support the children in their communities.

GROW THE GAME FUNDING

TO REBUILD AND GROW THE GAME, WE MUST create safe space and peak interest of the kids in our communities. We can’t do what we’ve always done. We need to sustain and develop.

Through the Grow the Game Fund and the Innovate to Grow Grant, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will be awarding a total of $50,000 to its members in an effort to increase participation where soccer has been depleted. We will use these funds to help members kick start their creative ideas to rebuild and expand their current programs. The (4) areas of interest will be: 1. Coach Education 2. Referee Education 3. Increasing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 4. Program Development.

Eastern Penn Technical Director Mike Barr instructs at a 7v7 Grassroots coaching course in Reading in April.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION WORKSHOPS

AS PART OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH Soccer’s Grow the Game campaign, the association is offering workshops to assist coaches in understanding different cultural backgrounds with a goal of making all leagues inclusive to people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

“We’re helping organizations have a better understanding of how to be inclusive to all participants,” Dorsey said. “By having these educational seminars and workshops, we’ll be able to teach people to create inclusive environments making soccer the game for all kids. We believe it is not only important to create a physically safe space but also an emotionally safe space and we will invest to make this happen.”

Examples of seminars include “Conceptualizations of Power & Privilege” and “A Strength-Based Approach to LGBTQ+ Youth.”

Meet US Soccer CEO Will Wilson

Will Wilson was named CEO / Secretary General of the U.S. Soccer Federation on March 23, 2020. The London, England, native came to U.S. Soccer with 29 years of vast and diverse experience in the international and domestic sports industry. At the age of 52, he joined U.S. Soccer from global sports agency Wasserman, where he served as Executive Vice President and Co-Head of Football for the previous eight years. Wilson also held executive positions with Soccer United Marketing, the National Football League, Champ Car World Series and the Arena Football League. Wilson joined Touchline for a Q&A.

What is your background in the sport of soccer?

“I’ve spent a large portion of my life living and working outside the United States, and as a result have been around the game and around folks who have worked in the game and those experiences and friendships have been influential in my growing love of the game. I had a fantastic opportunity to learn the business side of soccer when I was in charge of the international business for Major League Soccer and SUM.”

What have you learned from your year as US Soccer CEO?

“Learning how to manage an organization during a global pandemic with little or no in-person contact with anyone at the Federation – few of whom I have met in person - over a long period of months has been a new challenge for sure. I think we’ve all learned a lot about ourselves, our co-workers and our abilities to adapt and even thrive in difficult situations. We also had a chance to take a step back and evaluate our organization internally and have been able to implement goal setting, performance management, as well as developing and articulating our Principles and Values - all important steps in developing a positive working culture. We have also gone through a robust DEI Assessment in response to the killing of George Floyd, which has forced us to take a hard look at ourselves in this area and start to chart a positive way forward – including establishing an internal DEI Council and adding a diversity expert in our HR department, and inviting open dialogue from our staff.”

What do you see as the biggest challenges?

“Clearly, right now it’s the pandemic and the financial impact it has had on our Federation. I came on right at the beginning of the pandemic and honestly, it’s been difficult as we had to to make some tough decisions. Things seem to be trending more positively now, and we are hopeful the sports world gets back to normal by 2022 and that the events we have this year go off without a hitch.”

What about the greatest strength?

“Our greatest strength is our employees. These are smart, highly motivated people who are not only working for U.S. Soccer as a great job, but also because they have a passion for the sport and a desire to see it succeed and grow.”

What made you want to take on this challenge?

“I view the opportunity as an honor and a privilege. For me, U.S. Soccer has been one of those brands, one of those institutions, that’s been very admired from my perspective. I go through a process every few years of writing down things I’d like to do or places I’d like to work, and U.S. Soccer honestly has been on my list for over 10 years.”

How can US Soccer support the growth of the game?

“We want to make sure we are communicating with our members to make sure they are doing the things that contribute to positive growth by putting the focus on what benefits the player, the coach and the referees. The grassroots is where the real work is done and we need to continue to understand that. Of course, it’s vitally important that we do our part in continuing to support our current 23 National Teams -- Women’s, Men’s, Boys’ and Girls’ and Extended – as much as we can. It’s a significant, but important investment that creates role models for young players while giving the fans players and teams to cheer.”

What’s your outlook on 2026 and hosting the World Cup?

“The World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world, and the 2026 World Cup will be incredibly significant and important even for soccer in our geography. We know it will have a profound impact on the future of the game in the USA, Mexico and Canada, and we can’t wait. It will be a real catalyst for a lot of positive things in our sport. The stadiums are world class, the stands will be full, the TV audience across the world will be massive and the fan interest will be record-breaking. Of course, we’re hoping our U.S. Men’s National Team puts in an historic performance as well. FIFA is getting closer to choosing the venues, and once that happens, preparations will pick up steam.”

What do you know of Eastern Pennsylvania’s history and tradition?

“I know that Eastern PA has a long, long history of soccer and that those in the area have played an important part in the establishment of the U.S. Soccer Federation. Also, there’s no doubt that players from the area formed an important part of our first National Teams in the early 1900s, and we’ve seen some great players come through the ranks in the years since. The history and tradition of soccer in Eastern PA is something to be cherished and appreciated.”

2021 Union League Good Citizenship Award Winners

Andrew Carlson

Penn Fusion Soccer Academy

Spencer Carmichael

Marple Newtown Soccer Association

Lou Daniele

Ukrainian Nationals/Former ODP

Lily Ferguson

Amity AC

Erin Griffin

Amity AC

Lauren Gross

North Union United Soccer Club

Skyler Jordan

FC Steel United/Former ODP

Laurel Latt

Towamencin Soccer Club

Michael Li

Lehigh Valley United

Noa Livingstone

Strath Haven Soccer/Former 1776 United

Will McCambridge

Swarthmore Soccer Club

Olivia McGuriman

Montgomery United Soccer Club

Oludemilade (Demi) Olatilo

FC Delco/ODP

Maura Ott

Patriot FC

Olivia Pasko

Pennsylvania Soccer Academy/ODP

Spencer Rosenbaum

FC Europa/Former ODP

Jacob Seed

Lehigh Valley United

Ian Wong

Lionville Soccer Club