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Spirit Working 'Beyond the Pitch' in the Community

November 22, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


SAN DIEGO - Blending the dual goals of providing world-class sports entertainment on the field and enriching community commitment off the field is one of the most rewarding aspects of being in professional sports. Each year the Spirit strives to establish and maintain a reputation of integrity and professionalism off the playing field through their Beyond the Pitch grassroots and community relation initiatives. The commitment began in the very first stages of forming the organization, and it emanates through the club from management to most importantly, the Spirit players.

Release Summary

- Sportsphilanthropy.com is designed to help sports organizations maximize their impact on the community.

- The grassroots efforts were named "Beyond the Pitch" in September of 2002.

- Beyond the Pitch includes five different initiatives focusing on education, donations and appearances.

Through their Beyond the Pitch program, the Spirit became the first WUSA team to be featured on the website sportsphilanthropy.com. The website is part of a project working to help sports organizations maximize their impact on the health, social development and well-being of their communities.

Since the conclusion of the season, the club has made over 100 "Beyond the Pitch" appearances in the San Diego and Orange County areas. On Tuesday, Spirit forward Shannon MacMillan will be on hand at the U.S. Grant Hotel to help kick off the annual U.S. Marine Reserve Corps & NBC 7/39 "Toys for Tots" drive.

The Spirit formally named their grassroots effort "Beyond the Pitch" in September of 2002. However before the announcement, the club touched thousands of children through a variety of educational programs, donations, special events and fan development initiatives.

Beyond the Pitch programs include:

Soccer in the City - A program with the City of San Diego Department of Park & Recreation in which Spirit players go to inner-city park & recreation centers and play a game of pick-up soccer with children.

Sporting Geography - Students in participating classrooms learn about geography by studying the eight WUSA teams - where they are located, where the players are from, etc.

Soccer in the Halls - Spirit players talk to students about benefits of sports and a healthy lifestyle.

Spirit Cares - Monthly visits to Children's Hospital & Health Center of San Diego's oncology and hematology wards. The team also visits the Naval Hospital of San Diego's pediatric ward and various nursing homes.

Board of Education fitness videos - Partnering with the Board of Education, Spirit players Jaime Pagliarulo, Lori Lindsey and Amy Sauer hosted a series of four videos focusing on fitness and exercise that will be used in San Diego classrooms.

The San Diego Spirit is hosting the U.S. Women's National Team vs. Japan game on Sunday, January 12, 1:00 p.m. PT at Torero Stadium. Tickets for the event go on sale beginning Monday, November 25 and are available through Ticketmaster by calling 619-220-TIXS.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from November 22, 2002


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