On Sunday, Sacramento Republic FC and Liverpool FC U21s held a youth clinic alongside Street Soccer USA to give back to the community.
“It is fantastic to see the smiles on the children’s faces,” said Street Soccer USA-Sacramento Chapter Director Lisa Wrightsman. “The kids were so excited to wear their signed shirts to school the next day and share with their peers who they were playing soccer with over the weekend.”
A local nonprofit, Street Soccer USA (Lady Salamanders) uses the beautiful game to help youth, men and women experiencing homelessness develop critical life skills and create a wider social impact in the community.
Street Soccer USA uses soccer to teach individuals in the program how to be on a team, build trust, support others, be part of a community and practice goal setting. Additionally, the program helps participants use these skills to overcome the homelessness cycle and assist with furthering education, employment, housing and healthcare.
On Sunday, Sacramento Republic FC and Liverpool FC U21s held a youth clinic alongside Street Soccer USA to give back to the community.
“It is fantastic to see the smiles on the children’s faces,” said Street Soccer USA-Sacramento Chapter Director Lisa Wrightsman. “The kids were so excited to wear their signed shirts to school the next day and share with their peers who they were playing soccer with over the weekend.”
A local nonprofit, Street Soccer USA (Lady Salamanders) uses the beautiful game to help youth, men and women experiencing homelessness develop critical life skills and create a wider social impact in the community.
Street Soccer USA uses soccer to teach individuals in the program how to be on a team, build trust, support others, be part of a community and practice goal setting. Additionally, the program helps participants use these skills to overcome the homelessness cycle and assist with furthering education, employment, housing and healthcare.
Republic FC midfielder Matt LaGrassa joined Liverpool FC U21s squad members, including Jake Brimmer, Shamal George, Toni Gomes, Herbie Kane, Conor Masterson, Adam Phillips, Brooks Lennon and Corey Whelan in hosting the clinic.
The players joined in on a mini pickup match held by Street Soccer USA at their Mather Sports Center, tending the goals and cheering on the kids during the match. Aside from soccer, the players also joined in on creating chalk drawings on the concrete surrounding the court.
After the clinic, youth participants then had the opportunity to ask questions to the Liverpool FC U21s players and LaGrassa, in addition to taking photos and scoring autographs.
“It was a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local children to play soccer with some of the U21s team from Liverpool FC,” said Wrightsman. “It really gave a lot perspective to the kids of how big and global the game is.
“Despite soccer’s vastness, the support, love, passion and connectivity received from playing the game feels the same around the world, and they have access to it right here in Sacramento.”
Republic FC midfielder Matt LaGrassa joined Liverpool FC U21s squad members, including Jake Brimmer, Shamal George, Toni Gomes, Herbie Kane, Conor Masterson, Adam Phillips, Brooks Lennon and Corey Whelan in hosting the clinic.
The players joined in on a mini pickup match held by Street Soccer USA at their Mather Sports Center, tending the goals and cheering on the kids during the match. Aside from soccer, the players also joined in on creating chalk drawings on the concrete surrounding the court.
After the clinic, youth participants then had the opportunity to ask questions to the Liverpool FC U21s players and LaGrassa, in addition to taking photos and scoring autographs.
“It was a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local children to play soccer with some of the U21s team from Liverpool FC,” said Wrightsman. “It really gave a lot perspective to the kids of how big and global the game is.
“Despite soccer’s vastness, the support, love, passion and connectivity received from playing the game feels the same around the world, and they have access to it right here in Sacramento.”
