ON A GOOD NOTE

TEXT AN D PHOTO S CO U RTESY O F 901 G IRLS W ITH G O ALS

901 GIRLS WITH GOALS

Local organization 901 G irls w ith G oals uses soccer to make a positive impact on girls’ lives in Memphis. The group provides need-based support to area middle and high school girls’ teams and players. Services include supplying soccer equipment, providing free skills clinics, and creating additional opportunities for play and personal development.

The charity supplies schools w ith equipment needed to play safely w hile promoting team spirit and self-confidence. This is equipment that the school w ould often otherw ise be unable to provide. School coaches, w ho may have little soccer experience, are invited to attend a free clinic offered by 901 G irls w ith G oals prior to the start of the school season, and can receive practice plans throughout the season.

Community partners help the group keep girls engaged and provide them assistance on and off the field throughout the year. Players gain access not only to soccer equipment and clinics, but also to personal relationships w ith caring adults w ho take an interest in them and their success. Female coaches lead free clinics during the school off-season, and w omen from the Memphis soccer community lead huddles at the end of clinics, explaining how the game made a positive impact on their lives. Through a partnership w ith Play W here You Stay, 901 G irls w ith G oals can help remove the cost barrier to playing club-level soccer. O ther local Memphis alliances help them bring more recreational soccer to the area so girls have access to the sport at a variety of levels.