USL Oakland Roots

Oakland Roots Launch One Love-Inspired Collab with Africari FC

Published on May 26, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Oakland Roots News Release


Oakland Roots and local community soccer group Africari FC have teamed up to launch a Bob Marley-inspired merchandise collaboration to support sports programs for underserved youth.

The "I And I Are The Roots"shirt was inspired by Africari's mission to embody the 'One Love' philosophy in sharing soccer and culture in the community. The shirt features a line from Bob Marley's song 'Roots', and includes the Oakland Roots and Africari logos and Rasta flag. A portion of all proceeds for the shirt will support Roots Purpose Partner My Yute Soccer, delivering free soccer camps and programs for boys and girls in Oakland and Jamaica since 2008.

Glenn Van Straatum Merritt College Head Coach

Africari Football Club has been a staple of the Oakland soccer community since 1989 and represents the inclusive, diverse and multicultural spirit of the Town. Founded by Liberian Tamba Davis and Trindadian Clive Lochin, today Africari has four teams playing regularly in the East Bay Senior Soccer League including Africari Deep Roots (Over 30), Africari United (Over 30), Africari Big Time (Over 40) and finally the Africari Lions (Over 50).

Current Merritt College soccer coach Glenn Van Straatum, as well as California Attorney General Rob Bonta are past Africari players.

Steve Sparkes, founder of My Yute Soccer

Many of the team's players also serve as volunteer coaches for My Yute Soccer, founded and directed by Africari player Steven Sparkes. Sparkes has fond memories of playing street soccer growing up in the Caribbean in his neighborhood in Kingston, Jamaica. "I had such a beautiful childhood," said Sparkes, "I wanted to create the same thing here in Oakland." He envisioned creating an opportunity to share his skills and talents as a player as well as a vehicle for building community. Click here to support My Yute Soccer.

Oakland Roots will be supporting My Yute's annual summer camp taking place at Oakland Technical High School from June 7th to June 11th.

Shirts will be stocked at Oaklandish Downtown and Dimond.

Check out the Oakland Roots Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 26, 2021


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