VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Chris Eifert and Vipal Patel, soccer coaches from Dayton, Ohio, knew that their involvement with soccer was ready for a change. In 2019, at a soccer tournament where their daughters were playing, the men discussed what their own futures would look like if they decided to remain as coaches.

“We wanted to continue coaching, but we weren’t sure that we wanted to keep doing it in affluent suburban communities. We both wanted a more meaningful experience in the sport we loved,” says Chris. “For years, I had thought about starting a soccer club for underserved families, but I never really had the time for it. Vipal told me that he didn’t have the time for it either, but maybe we should try do to it anyway.”

For families that can afford it, a competitive soccer environment is always available. That was true in the suburbs of Dayton, Ohio. But north and west of downtown Dayton, communities weren’t as well–to–do as those where Chris and Vipal had coached. “Those areas are soccer deserts; urban environments that aren’t set up to introduce soccer to children,” says Vipal.

Though many established clubs offer scholarships for children in soccer deserts, Vipal says there are two inherent flaws.

“Firstly, is the logistics issue; getting from inner–city Dayton to the suburbs is next to impossible. Secondly, kids naturally want to play with their friends. It’s generous to offer a scholarship, but it doesn’t account for the children who want to play with kids they eat lunch with at school or the friends they’ve known for years,” says Vipal.

The two dads, along with Sheila Eifert, Chris’ wife, began to put their focus into a league that would serve children who lacked access to quality soccer programs. The group had heard about a facility in Dayton—The Salvation Army Dayton Kroc Center, which was in a prime location for a soccer program. Along with the space and fields to practice soccer, the Kroc also brought in children who knew each other through Sunday worship services and other programs.

“To have a facility is important, but without an organization that’s already known and serving the community, it would have been very difficult to start a soccer club,” says Sheila. As the Kroc Soccer Club administrator, she is in direct contact with the families of the players, for many of whom English is their second language. Registering the families is a twofold job; they become members of the Kroc, and then members of the league itself. That requires organization of birth certificates, medical waivers, and other documents. Sometimes Sheila even goes door–to–door with a translator to make sure that every family is accounted for.

“Vipal and I bring in the donors, the coaches, and our enthusiasm for soccer, but Sheila is the one doing the really hard work,” says Chris.

(top to bottom) Vipal Patel, Chris Eifert, and Sheila Eifert brought their love of soccer to the Dayton Kroc Center.

“She’s the heartbeat of the program,” says Vipal. “When a child doesn’t have a ride to practice, Sheila is the one calling up parents to see if they can help. She’s also bringing in other volunteers to take up roles in the club.”

“My favorite part of this job is working with those families that cheer like their child won the World Cup when they make their first goal,” says Sheila.

In only a few years, the Dayton Kroc’s soccer program has grown to 150 players and 20 coaches, making up ten teams. Chris, Sheila, and Vipal continue to give their nights and weekends to the soccer club and have seen it grow into a ministry beyond their expectations. The club hopes to expand through a partnership with Dayton public schools, which will offer soccer to more children in the community.

“We proudly serve a community of all nationalities, colors, and religions.

Sometimes, that can mean missing practices due to certain holidays. Every coach knows of these days, and is accepting and understanding to excuse players,” says Vipal. “Soccer itself is a unifying sport, and we never want someone to feel like they are unwelcome or that their traditions are not respected.”

“Our original objective was to replace that soccer desert, but even more so than that, we wanted a club where cost and location would not be a prohibiting factor,” says Chris. “We love soccer, but the sport itself isn’t the point of why we do this. We wanted to introduce athletics, teamwork, physical fitness, and a love of being active.”

“We were fortunate to find an organization where our interests align,” says Vipal. “The Salvation Army knows how to find the families, work with them, and bring programs like ours to them. Chris, Sheila, and I aren’t experts at that type of work, but the Army is. It’s what they do best.”

by HUGO BRAVO