USL Orange County SC

Orange County SC Community Foundation Partners with the Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation to Create Free Soccer League for Public Schools in Santa Ana

Published on August 2, 2022 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


The Orange County Soccer Club Community Foundation (OCSCCF), with support from The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation, announced the launch of a free after-school soccer league for eight participating schools in the Santa Ana Unified School District. The co-ed league is open to 4th and 5th graders and will run for ten weeks beginning on August 29th. The OCSCCF will provide coaches, referees and equipment in addition to helping manage the league. OCSCCF aims to teach these students soccer fundamentals, teamwork and youth leadership.

"We are thrilled to launch our inaugural free after-school soccer league with Santa Ana Unified School District. Santa Ana is a community filled with soccer fans, and we know that these students will benefit greatly from exposure to the "Orange County Way" of youth soccer training, the expertise of our coaches, and the opportunity to get great exercise in a structured league," OCSC Community Foundation Executive Director Lisa Keston said. "Our hope is to make free high-quality soccer training accessible to as many students as possible across Santa Ana."

This after-school league is the first of its kind for OCSCCF, and they hope to expand to more schools and districts throughout Orange County in the future. Practices will be held on Wednesdays and games will be played on Fridays. All participating students will train based on an age-appropriate soccer curriculum to help them improve their skills.

The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation has made a generous donation to OCSCCF's SAUSD league to help cover a portion of the costs.

"We are excited to help bring this soccer league to students in the Santa Ana Unified School District," Aimee Watters, Executive Director of The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation, said. "We are proud to support OCSCCF in their efforts to provide a safe and accessible space for youth sports participation in the community."

"Santa Ana Unified School District is proud to team up with the Orange County Soccer Club Community Foundation to provide an invaluable resource to our students." Jerry Almendarez, Santa Ana Unified School District Superintendent, said. "Exercise through organized sports offers our children another opportunity to learn teamwork, collaboration, discipline, and other important skills that can translate directly into their education. We are incredibly grateful to OCSCCF for this resource to our SAUSD community."

Orange County SC players and coaches will also make guest appearances during the inaugural season. For more information on the Orange County Soccer Club Community Foundation, please visit - https://www.orangecountysoccer.com/foundation/.

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