$1.8m pledged for pitches honouring Black Players for Change

September 18, 2020  

The U.S. Soccer Foundation,  Black Players for Change (BPC) and Musco Lighting have announced a program to create community mini-pitches in honor of the founding 12 Executive BPC Board Members over the course of the next year. These mini-pitches are part of a new, long-term partnership between the organizations aimed at removing systemic barriers that keep children of color from playing the game. 

BPC is made up of over 100+ players, coaches and staff of Major League Soccer, working to tackle the racial injustices that have limited Black people from having an equitable stake in soccer and society. Among many goals, the organization strives to advance the attention on human right inequalities from protest to programs, partnerships and policies that address systemic racism. 

“We’re thrilled to come together with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Musco Lighting to create this opportunity. This is only the beginning of our efforts to grow the game in Black communities and we look forward to scaling nationwide in order to ensure equitable access to soccer for the next generation,” said Justin Morrow, Co-Founder and Executive Director of BPC. 

To complete these first 12 mini-pitches, the organizations have pledged to raise and invest more than $1.8 million in the project. The first mini-pitch location will be announced in the coming weeks.

“It’s important for Black children to see people who look like them and who have made it to the highest levels of their careers,” said U.S. Soccer Foundation President & CEO Ed Foster-Simeon. “Children playing on these pitches will be reminded every day that they too can succeed in their chosen path—whether that is as a professional soccer player, a doctor or any other chosen career. The U.S. Soccer Foundation is honored to work alongside Black Players for Change to provide more opportunities for youth to play our game.” 

According to Active Living Research, one study found that 70% of African-American and Hispanic neighborhoods did not have any recreational facilities. In comparison, only 38% of White neighborhoods lacked recreational facilities. Furthermore, only about one third of Black and Hispanic children aged 6 to 12 play sports on a regular basis according to the Aspen Institute. 

The Mini-Pitch System™ modular sports solution helps combat these challenges by providing community members with safer places for free play. The spaces can also be used by local organizations to run high-quality, free or low-cost youth soccer programs, including the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Soccer for Success program. In line with the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s mission, partners will prioritize selection of mini-pitch locations in underserved areas of the communities that lack access to safe places to play. 

Each athlete will visit his hometown community for the grand opening of the mini-pitch and will help elevate Black voices in the community. Images of prominent Black athletes will surround the mini-pitch.