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NWSL Racing Louisville FC

Howell, Racing Announce Partnership with Down Syndrome of Louisville

March 21, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Racing Louisville FC News Release


Racing Louisville FC midfielder Jaelin Howell
Racing Louisville FC midfielder Jaelin Howell
(Racing Louisville FC)

Jaelin Howell, Racing Louisville FC and Down Syndrome of Louisville are thrilled to announce a new partnership on March 21, which is internationally observed as World Down Syndrome Day.

Howell and Racing will work with Down Syndrome of Louisville in all aspects, from advocating for inclusion and friendship to fostering new relationships between DSL families and friends and Louisville's top-tier professional women's soccer team.

Howell, one of the top young stars in the National Women's Soccer League, will host the Rock Your Socks Soccer Clinic on Sept. 17 at Racing's Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center in conjunction with Down Syndrome of Louisville and Racing Louisville. Racing's home, Lynn Family Stadium, and the Big Four Bridge between downtown Louisville and Southern Indiana will be lit up in blue on Tuesday to bring awareness and support around World Down Syndrome Day.

"I am so excited and grateful to be partnering with DSL, not only as an individual but as a whole club as well," Howell said. "Our goal is to support Down Syndrome of Louisville and the entirety of the Down syndrome community in many ways through this partnership. This is very close to my heart, and I can't wait for our club to establish meaningful relationships with the members of DSL. Our friends who have Down syndrome are amazing people who should be celebrated!"

"Down Syndrome of Louisville is thrilled about our new partnership with Racing Louisville," said Carly Riggs, the engagement director for DSL. "Through this partnership we will not only be enriching the lives of our individuals with Down syndrome and everyone at Racing, but we will also be sharing such important awareness to the community about inclusion and friendship."

The partnership extends beyond the two anchor events planned between DSL and Racing. Howell and DSL will work together through the course of the year in a number of ways to provide support and awareness around Down syndrome.

The club is sponsoring the Boogie Down Crew, an 11-and-up dance team that performs more than 30 times a year at DSL and community events, and scheduling Kindness Warrior Training for players and staffers.

DSL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The organization earned a prestigious Gold Certificate of Accreditation from Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action in 2016, becoming the only Down syndrome association in the country to receive the accreditation.

DSL's mission is "to support, educate and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome, thus enabling them to reach their full potential."

Howell, 23, was selected by Racing as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft after becoming one of only five players in NCAA Division I soccer history to win back-to-back national player of the year awards. She was a fixture in Racing Louisville's young lineup during her rookie year last campaign, starting every game, and has emerged as a key figure in the locker room entering her second season as a pro.

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Racing Louisville FC midfielder Jaelin Howell
Racing Louisville FC midfielder Jaelin Howell
   



National Women's Soccer League Stories from March 21, 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.

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