Job Opportunities for Teens
In today’s world, the job market continues to tighten. And that tightening means that there are fewer opportunities for jobs for teenagers.
But there is a solution for Soccer in the Streets teenagers that keep them close to the game by teaching them to officiate. What better way to use their knowledge of the sport, learn life skills and make a few dollars from game fees?
The growth of Soccer in the Streets programming continues and with it grows the need for certified officials – right down to the youngest levels of participation and small-sided matches. Thus, the program has taken root from the Clarkston refugee program to the College Park community program and to date, 38 young adults have been screened, trained and are now certified US Soccer referees.
In today’s world, the job market continues to tighten. And that tightening means that there are fewer opportunities for jobs for teenagers.
But there is a solution for Soccer in the Streets teenagers that keep them close to the game by teaching them to officiate. What better way to use their knowledge of the sport, learn life skills and make a few dollars from game fees?
The growth of Soccer in the Streets programming continues and with it grows the need for certified officials – right down to the youngest levels of participation and small-sided matches. Thus, the program has taken root from the Clarkston refugee program to the College Park community program and to date, 38 young adults have been screened, trained and are now certified US Soccer referees.
It’s not easy being an official –, particularly for younger players. Many quit after only a short time. But officiating offers a way to bridge the gap for young people from under-resourced and under-represented communities, to have access to the entry-level jobs that are afforded through soccer.
Leading the newly certified referees, Project Owner, Jill Robbins. She has witnessed first hand the growth of each individual.
“It’s gratifying to see the kids go from casual interest to eager apprentice, and from there, become certified and start to work as a professional referee,” Robbins said. “Over time and with experience, you get to see them increase in proficiency and confidence. They also take their responsibility seriously and appreciate the benefit they’ve received. Then they feel an obligation to help their peers as they enter the ranks of soccer officials. It’s a virtuous circle.”
The program was her brainchild. And, she believes this program has influenced these players in an impactful way. It has introduced these bright, resourceful and mentally tough young people to the job market as well as the ranks of new officials. And, what makes it interesting is that they receive the training, skills, and resources to succeed.
The four goals of the referee project are:
Goal 1: Increase the pool for potential referees in underserved communities and better prepare them for joining the ranks of soccer officials.
Goal 2: Provide an entry point through which candidates will be recruited, screened, trained and certified to officiate youth games and move candidates through that process.
Goal 3: Provide the support needed to retain referees once they enter the ranks of soccer officials.
Goal 4: Provide employment opportunities to the new referees and the resources needed to access these opportunities
Though it all sounds good, there are other barriers that don’t let teenagers officiate. The main barrier for many aspiring officials is that initial cost - from uniforms, whistles, flags, wallet, watches, and the certification program itself. That startup cost is over $200 and for some kids, that is a barrier that keeps them away. Soccer in the Streets is eliminating that barrier. The program provides kits for the referees, with all of the needed tools and a bag, and the program also covers the fee for the U.S. Soccer Grade 9 course.
There is another benefit to the program. These young officials become role models and influence their peers as well as the younger players to join. And, they see them out working matches and jamborees.
Clarkston Refugee, Elvis Niyokwizera, is newly certified referee and excelled exponentially in the Referee Program.
“I am overwhelmed by the experiences I have been through in the past months,” said Niyokwiezera. “I am now a leader to the younger kids because I was in their shoes back in the day. Now I am officiating their games and it is exciting.”
Once you have your certification, then you have to get games assigned specifically. So, Robbins introduced the Clarkston FC newly certified referees to the head DDY referee assignor, John Hermann, who is now utilizing some of these new officials to work matches.
“There are many job skills are involved in the role of a referee,” said Hermann. “These skills will carry over to most any job later in life such as: being on time; taking care of one’s appearance; learning to be as pleasant as possible when others are acting much less pleasant; making a quick decision with limited information; being confident and looking confident; working with others who have different opinions; learning rules and procedures; managing job commitments and planning.”
So, keep your eyes on the sidelines and you just might see one of the newly minted officials working a match.
Breaking Down Barriers
StationSoccer celebrated its two year anniversary on October 27th! Since the grand opening of Five Points in 2016 StationSoccer has seen thousands of visitors both players and spectators from across the world. It has also been covered by multiple media outlets and won local, national and global awards for soccer, design and innovation.
StationSoccer celebrated its two year anniversary on October 27th! Since the grand opening of Five Points in 2016 StationSoccer has seen thousands of visitors both players and spectators from across the world. It has also been covered by multiple media outlets and won local, national and global awards for soccer, design and innovation.
Looking forward Soccer in the Streets is in planning mode, having just opened the newest StationSoccer location at West End MARTA station and the early success of that location we hear from three staff members about the project and program so far and what we can look forward to.
From the youth pick up side of StationSoccer, Coach Joel Apudo, has seen the session develop overtime. At the beginning of 2016 youth pick up averaged at six kids. In 2017, the league jumped to 15 kids a session. And this year the average number has risen to 35 kids at pick up sessions.
As Apudo has coached a majority of these sessions he has heard many parents compliment the program.
“As my kids play at the StationSoccer locations it has helped my kids in school,” said a StationSoccer parent. “They have gotten better grades by being focused, been more social with other kids, and I have seen my kids move from up the recreational team to the academy team.”
The Station fields recently kicked off its 8th season of public adult leagues. In the new Fall 2018 season with a record of 24 teams in a single season. StationSoccer has also hosted leagues for diverse groups including: the City of Atlanta, MARTA, local downtown businesses, restaurants, and Morehouse University Intramural’s.
StationSoccer Manager, Fernando Guerena, expresses his enthusiasm about the two year anniversary.
"Since opening the Station Soccer - Five Points facility in October 2016, over 2,000 adult players have come out to play and support Atlanta's children,” said Guerena. “These players have raised over $100,000 for Soccer in the Streets programming, and this season's leagues at the newly opened West End facility have 50% more teams than any prior season."
Sanjay Patel recently took on the role of Director of Strategic Projects at Soccer in the Streets and has been working on the the StationSoccer project since 2014 when he had originally had the idea of the concept of StationSoccer. Sanjay provides some thoughts on the past few years and potential of the project.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved so far, much credit to our staff and all the partners that have made this project possible,” said Patel. “Now as we grow the league of stations and provide more access to communities that deserve programs that can help cultivate and enrich lives with employability tools and resources it will only benefit youth that we serve. Through innovation and collaborative partnerships on and off the field we will change lives along the way.”
Coaches Joel Apudo and Ehlahd Israel Honored with the Community Champion Award and Napolitano Award, respectively, at 2018 Black Tie Gala
On October 7th, Soccer in the Streets presented the Community Champion Award and Napolitano Award at end of year gala, Black Tie 2018 soccer game to Joel Apudo and Ehlahd Israel. These two award-winning leaders are dedicated to building and teaching the beautiful game. These dedicated leaders work to empower the lives of the youth in the program and in the metro Atlanta communities they serve.
On October 7th, Soccer in the Streets presented the Community Champion Award and Napolitano Award at end of year gala, Black Tie 2018 soccer game to Joel Apudo and Ehlahd Israel. These two award-winning leaders are dedicated to building and teaching the beautiful game. They work to empower the lives of the youth in the program and in the metro Atlanta communities they serve.
A Community Champion recipient is a humble leader dedicated to the children, their community and growing the game of soccer. Israel, a West End resident and local barber, learned about Soccer in the Streets and connected a group of 10-15 kids in 2017 from the West End community to play at the new StationSoccer- Five Points field.
With collaboration from Community Program Manager Toussaint McClure, together they established a program that became home of Brown Middle School. The program grew organically to about 80 kids throughout 2018 until the StationSoccer- West End flourished in September 2018.
“Ehlahd has been the missing piece in West End that we needed for Soccer in the Streets,” said McClure. “He understands the organization's motto and how we can better the lives of these youth players through soccer.”
StationSoccer has rapidly grown over the past two years. As a Soccer in the Streets coach and a new community engagement manager, Joel Apudo has become a role model for the local youth players. The Napolitano Award recipient shows embodiment of leadership, service and enrichment around the beautiful game and Apudo has exemplified that.
Program Director Lauren Glancy, brought Apudo on board with Soccer in the Streets in 2016 to coach in the APS Positive Choice program. Ever since then, many of the athletes lives have changed for the better.
“It was clear from the beginning that Joel had a gift for connecting with youth on a whole other level,” said Glancy. “When StationSoccer started in 2016, it was obvious who needed to be the head coach. His ability to lead comes natural and the positive impact he has had on the youth is priceless.”
