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San Diego Spirit to Reach Into the Inner-City with New Program

July 16, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


SAN DIEGO - Inner-city children will have a chance to play soccer with San Diego Spirit players throughout the year with a new joint project between the WUSA club and the City of San Diego's Department of Park & Recreation. The first session of the "Soccer in the City" program will be held on Wednesday, July 17, at the Stockton Park & Recreation Center on 32nd Street in San Diego.

San Diego Spirit players will be present at each of the clinics along with an expected 15-30 inner-city kids ranging from ages 11-14. Each session will consist of a 15-minute warm-up, a 30-minute soccer game featuring two teams, a Q&A session, and will conclude with players signing autographs. The City of San Diego Department of Park & Recreation will be providing park and rec centers for these sessions to take place and organizing the children. The targeted park and recreation centers are: City Heights, Stockton, Memorial, Mountain View, Silverwing, Serra Mesa, Linda Vista, Kearny Mesa, Morley Field, Adams, and North Park.

"Soccer in the City is a program specifically targeted at inner-city kids who can't afford to play club soccer or even get out to the games," said Spirit Grassroots Coordinator Kara Vichko. "It gives the children a chance to play the world's most popular sport, while interacting with great role models. The program allows us to give back to the community in a small, but important way."

"The City of San Diego Park & Recreation Department is excited about working with the San Diego Spirit and bringing soccer to parts of the city that are often ignored," said Kimberly Mathis, City of San Diego Park & Recreation spokesperson. "Children meeting professional soccer players and especially interacting with them is a great concept that will be fully appreciated by the youth in our inner-city communities."

Spirit defender Amy Sauer and goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo are scheduled to appear at the first session July 17, 3:30 - 5 p.m. PT, at the Stockton Park & Recreation Center.

For more information on the new "Soccer in the City" program, please contact Kara Vichko at 619-692-9872.

The Spirit plays their home matches at the renovated 7,035-seat Torero Stadium on the campus of the University of San Diego. For more ticket information, please contact the Spirit ticket office at 1-877-4SOCCER (1-877-476-2237) or 619-692-9872, or visit the club's website at www.sandiegospirit.com.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 16, 2002


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