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USL Orange County SC

Orange County Soccer Club Partners to Install & Program Soccer Mini-Pitch at Delhi Park

October 8, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


Irvine, CA - Orange County Soccer Club, in partnership with The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, broke ground today on a new miniature outdoor hard-surface soccer court (mini-pitch) at Delhi Park in Santa Ana.

"We are thrilled that the communities of Santa Ana will now have access to a new, beautiful mini-pitch to provide additional safe spaces for soccer and outdoor play. Santa Ana's Delhi Park is a perfect location for this new mini-pitch and we appreciate all of the hard work the City of Santa Ana devoted to bringing this idea to fruition," said Jeff Garner, President of Business Relations, Orange County SC. ‚ "OCSC, Orange County's professional soccer team playing in the USL Championship, is dedicated to bringing additional soccer resources and exposure to Santa Ana, providing opportunities in the sport to the youth of the communities of Northern Orange County. This mini-pitch, along with regular OCSC programming, will serve as a safe gathering place to promote community health and wellness."

This mini-pitch was generously funded by The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation and its installation has been supported by the Orange County SC and U.S. Soccer Foundation. The City of Santa Ana worked closely with these organizations to help make this wonderful new park amenity come to fruition. The City's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency provided the land for the mini-pitch, cleared and prepped the property, and is pouring the concrete base.

The Orange County SC plans to work with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and other partners to install several other mini-pitches to provide underserved communities in Orange County with a safe place to play soccer. Orange County SC and the OCSC Foundation intend to provide regular clinics at the mini-pitches in order to encourage soccer play and fitness, as well as to identify local talent to provide them an opportunity to play for OCSC's professional youth academy and even try out for its first team. In addition, Orange County SC plans to host youth tournaments at the mini-pitch multiple times each year.

"We're excited that together with our partners, we can bring this new mini-pitch to the Santa Ana community," said Sarah Pickens, Associate Vice President of Programs at the U.S. Soccer Foundation. "This safe place to play and the free programming that will be offered on it will help make our sport and its benefits more accessible and inclusive, regardless of gender or background."

"I'm grateful to the Orange County Soccer Club, The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation and the U.S. Soccer Foundation for sharing this new soccer mini-pitch with the Santa Ana community," said Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento. "Soccer is an extremely popular sport among our youth, adults and families, and any new resource that encourages healthy activities is welcome in our city."

"We're proud to partner with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the Orange County Soccer Club to provide a new mini-pitch to the Santa Ana community ," said Aimee Watters, Executive Director, The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation. "At DICK'S we know that sports matter and are excited to give local youth athletes the opportunity to play soccer."

"With the addition of this brand new mini-pitch, the OCSC Foundation will be able to provide free soccer programming to our local communities, furthering our mission of using soccer as an umbrella to promote health and wellness," said Lisa Keston, Executive Director, OCSC Community Foundation.

Orange County SC is currently in discussions with a number of communities throughout Orange County to introduce additional mini-pitches in 2021, 2022, and beyond. The club is also planning to host clinics, tournaments, and community events at its mini-pitches once installation is complete.

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