Turning Streets to Fields
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
By: Karyn Lush | Special to womensprosoccer.com
(March 18, 2008) – If you were to name neighborhoods possessing quality soccer fields, Harlem – with its acres of pavement, rows of apartment buildings and blocks of traffic congestion – wouldn’t make the list.
That’s about to change.
Wednesday evening soccer, business and political dignitaries will gather at Gotham Hall in New York City for the Streets to Fields Gala. Sponsored by MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative that focuses on issues affecting youth, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Gala will benefit FC Harlem / Harlem Youth Soccer by funding the development of a soccer field and by creating soccer and leadership training programs.
Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) will have a presence at the Streets to Fields Gala as Commissioner Tonya Antonucci, representatives from the ownership groups of the New Jersey / New York, Boston and Los Angeles franchises and friends of the league will attend the event.
“We really want to demonstrate our support of a great effort to help an underserved community and to create a better environment for soccer and the growth of the game there,” said Antonucci, a member of the Gala’s Banquet Committee. “Harlem is one of our markets for the New Jersey / New York franchise, so it is important to be supportive of their community. We look forward to honoring FC Harlem and being part of a great night.”
Hosted by Honorary Chairmen and former U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, the Gala will recognize Philip F. Anschutz, chairman of the Anschutz Corporation, with its Leadership Award. Anschutz owns Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), which is the investor behind the Los Angeles WPS franchise.
In addition, the Los Angeles Galaxy’s David Beckham will present Brazilian legend Pelé with the Lifetime Achievement Award and David A. Paterson, who resides in Harlem and was sworn in as New York’s first black governor on Monday, will receive the Community Service Award.
“It’s important for us as a fledgling, young league to see such a good example being set of getting involved with the community beyond just what’s good for the professional sport,” said Antonucci. “To witness a way of giving back and integrating with the community is something we can learn from and that we can honor.”
FC Harlem combines soccer and positive values to give youth the opportunity to be L.I.O.N.S – Leaders In Our Neighborhoods. Founded in 1991, FC Harlem conducts recreational leagues, organizes travel teams, holds clinics and leads in-school programs to introduce youth to the game in a nurturing environment. The Streets to Field Gala will benefit all of FC Harlem’s efforts.
“Directly related to soccer, it’s important that there’s opportunity and that the community has a quality field to play on and to enjoy the game, so that young players can grow and develop in the game,” Antonucci said. “Then on the leadership side, any time the leaders in the sport, in this case MLS Works and the US Soccer Foundation, can go beyond the field to help build young people’s leadership skills that is very, very important. Sport is a mirror of our society and what a positive statement to be making that we’d like to encourage the best of what our society can be.”
Karyn Lush is a freelance writer and can be reached at karyn.wps@gmail.com. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of Women’s Professional Soccer or womensprosoccer.com.