Sports stats

NWSL Angel City FC

Angel City FC Partners with the Twinning Project to Use the Power of Soccer to Tackle Reoffending

April 18, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Angel City FC News Release


Los Angeles, CA and London, UK - The Twinning Project is delighted to announce it is teaming up with Angel City F.C., its first partnership with a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) soccer club, to deliver a sports-based intervention program at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) Century Regional Detention Facility in Los Angeles, California. The initiative launches today with ACFC General Manager, Angela Hucles Mangano, on hand to kick off the first session.

The aim of the Twinning Project is to reduce reoffending rates by harnessing the power of soccer and other sports to engage with people in custody and unlock opportunities for future employment in local communities upon release from prison. Since launching in London in 2018, the Twinning Project has delivered hundreds of coaching and refereeing courses in men's, women's and young offenders' prisons across the United Kingdom.

Angel City F.C. first team coaches and members of the ACFC Coach Network will deliver the course over six weeks at the Century Regional Detention Facility. The club will provide three cohorts of up to 16 women each the opportunity to develop vital life skills, including organization, self-confidence and teamwork, all through the medium of soccer. The program is closely aligned to the Football Association (F.A.)-accredited courses currently delivered by soccer clubs in the United Kingdom. ACFC coaches will adapt portions of the curriculum to align with US Soccer-accredited teachings in order to ensure transferability of the participants' certificates.

The Twinning Project is now aligned with 73 soccer clubs across the Premier League and English Football League (EFL) in the United Kingdom and is expanding to the United States. Alongside Angel City F.C., the Twinning Project has also recently launched with New York City Football Club and the New York Department of Corrections to deliver a similar program for men at Rikers Island.

Through its ground-breaking Angel City Sponsorship Model, the team reallocates 10% of every sponsorship deal directly to community impact. In all its impact, ACFC leverages the power of sport and entertainment to drive for Equity in the L.A. community by providing Essentials and Education. In its inaugural year, the club cycled over $1,000,000USD into the LA community and engaged nearly 70,000 Angelenos, provided more than 400 hours of free youth soccer programs, delivered nearly 500,000 meals to those in need, and trained 70 women and non-binary individuals as soccer coaches.

Hilton Freund, CEO, Twinning Project, commented: "Soccer is a global game, and high reoffending rates are not just a U.K. problem, so we are excited to partner with Angel City F.C. to bring the Twinning Project to Los Angeles. Over the last five years we've seen first-hand the positive impact soccer can have on individuals and communities, especially for people who feel there is little hope. By helping women in custody learn new skills and build confidence, we can help them create a better future for themselves once they leave jail."

Catherine Dávila, Head of Community at Angel City F.C. said: "Angel City F.C. knows that sport has the capacity to create lasting positive change in people's lives, and we are thrilled to support the Twinning Project and their incredible program. Our partnership with the Twinning Project fits beautifully into our pillars of Education and Essentials, and builds on our work in underserved communities by reaching one of our most vulnerable populations. We can't wait to get started."

Melissa Kelley, Acting Director at LASD, added: "The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is honored to partner with Angel City FC and the Twinning Project to bring this innovative program to the United States and to some of our most vulnerable community members. Participating in sports and athletic activities has a profound impact on physical and mental health beyond tangible skills, confidence, and overall improved wellbeing. For our incarcerated population, this can fundamentally change the trajectory of their lives and build a solid foundation for successful community re-entry."

Check out the Angel City FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 18, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central