Oakland Roots and Coaching Corps / Positive Coaching Alliance are bringing more community soccer coaches equipped with skills designed for underserved communities as part of the Roots in the Community Program.
Roots in the Community is Oakland Roots’ grassroots community outreach program presented by Anthem Blue Cross. Roots in the Community is about growing the game of soccer and increasing access for all, whether as players, coaches or fans.
Earlier this season we invited 43 participants to a coach education workshop at our training facility. The participants in the workshop come from a range of backgrounds, representing local non-profit organizations, Oakland Unified School District, Oakland Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Development and even Roots captain Mati Fissore.
“I am so proud of our partnership with the Oakland Roots Sports Club and our work to recruit and train hundreds of coaches to address the critical shortage of opportunities for youth of color in Oakland” said Robert Marcus, Director of Government and Community Engagement at Coaching Corps. “Through our partnership, together we strive to ensure more kids have access to a trained coach that creates a positive sports culture to ensure the best outcomes possible. The Roots commitment to equitable access in our local youth sports ecosystem is truly inspiring.”
Positive Coaching Alliance/Coaching Corps’ curriculum focuses on skills that help coaches build soccer programs where young people feel safe, heard and valued. The coaches also learned how to access mental health services for at-risk youth from Crisis Support Services of Alameda County, and how to refer families in need to healthcare services.
Following the workshop a panel discussion focused on the value of representation in coaching and growing the game through the lens of racial equity and featured Roots Technical Director Jordan Ferrell and Mental Health Coach Lisa Bonta Sumii.
“Historically, not everyone has had the same opportunity to access the game of soccer in Oakland whether for financial, geographic or cultural reasons” said Mike Geddes, Roots’ Chief Purpose Officer. “We want to get more kids into soccer because regular participation in sport can offer many physical and mental health benefits.
About Oakland Roots
Oakland Roots Sports Club seeks to harness the magic of Oakland and the power of sport as a force for social good. Whether on the pitch, in the stands, or within the community, Oakland Roots will represent our one-of-a-kind city with passion, pride, and commitment to all things Oakland. Player by player. Supporter by supporter. Resident by resident. One day at a time. One game at a time. This is about Oakland first, always.
About Positive Coaching Alliance/Coaching Corps
Positive Coaching Alliance and Coaching Corps have officially joined forces to become a powerhouse organization dedicated to optimizing the positive impact of youth coaches on kids. Because when every child has access to a game-changing coach trained in youth development, s/he is able to gain life skills through sport, build healthy habits, and become beacons for positive change in their communities. We do this by recruiting and training volunteers from college campuses, local communities and civic organizations who are as passionate about kids as they are about sports. The combined organization, which will retain the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) name, will lead the increasingly important movement to change the culture of youth and high school sports so that every child, regardless of social or economic circumstance, has access to a trained, caring coach.
Contact
Tommy Hodul, VP of PR and Communications
