MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC Announces University of Washington as Presenting Partner of RAVE Foundation Youth Camps

Published on August 5, 2022 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SEATTLE, WASH. - Seattle Sounders FC's charitable partner, RAVE Foundation, today announced that the University of Washington, one of the nation's preeminent public universities, has joined the organization as presenting sponsor of RAVE Foundation Soccer Camps. Through its camp program, RAVE offers free, high-quality soccer training utilizing qualified coaches and mentors to model inclusivity, teamwork and positive reinforcement so all participants feel supported while learning new soccer skills and having fun. Camps and clinics are hosted on both RAVE Fields and schools, parks and community centers in underserved neighborhoods.

The new partnership also aligns with the University of Washington Center for Leadership in Athletics (UWCLA) mission to develop effective leaders and leadership practices that maximize the positive, educational impact of athletics. In 2019, a study from University of Washington's Center for Leadership in Athletics, in partnership with King County Parks and The Aspen Institute, found that less than 19 percent of young people in the region receive the amount of physical activity recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The UW is excited to expand its partnership with the Seattle Sounders by supporting RAVE camps this year," said Nicole Morry Dierks, UW's interim Associate Vice President for Brand Marketing Strategy. "We are proud to do our part in helping make this positive impact on the community, empowering kids to participate in soccer and helping strengthen communities in our region. Through this commitment, we hope to connect with young people and illustrate the possibility of higher education."

Today's partnership announcement reinforces RAVE's commitment to use soccer as a vehicle to support whole, healthy children of all ages, from preschool to high school, and serve youth in marginalized or under-resourced communities through its year-round programs, incorporating not only soccer skills but also leadership and mental and physical movement skills.

"We are thrilled to have University of Washington as our new RAVE Camps presenting partner. RAVE Camps are high-quality, free soccer training experiences serving youth in marginalized communities," said Sounders FC Vice President of Philanthropy & Executive Director of RAVE Foundation Ashley Fosberg. "These week-long experiences not only help develop soccer skills, but they encourage teamwork, leadership and learning new things. We are proud to have UW alongside us as partners in education in serving our region's youth. As we strive to deeply serve the communities in which RAVE Fields are placed, it is more important than ever to have mission-aligned partners. Many RAVE programs use soccer as the vehicle for deeper learning like STEM, physical literacy, and art to name a few. For this reason, I can't think of a better partner for RAVE Camps than the University of Washington."

RAVE Camps are free and open to everyone, providing registration to those within each camp's local community. Participants who live in a low-income housing community or are part of summer meal programs are also recruited by RAVE's local community networks to participate in RAVE Camps. Camp participants can expect a series of week-long coaching experiences hosted by longtime RAVE partner Cultures United FC at multiple locations throughout the Seattle area.

This year, different locations and dates are set to welcome those who would like to participate in the program and a more detailed schedule can be found below.

Chelsea Park (Burien): August 8-12, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PT

Delridge South (West Seattle): August 8-12, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. PT

Genesee Park and Playfield (Seattle): August 15-19, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PT

Valley Ridge Field (SeaTac): August 22-26, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PT

Field House (Des Moines): August 22-26, 2:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. PT

Those interested in participating in a RAVE program can email RAVE@SoundersFC.com to receive additional information or visit RAVEFoundation.org/Programs.

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