The opening ceremony welcomed 30 Brockton West Middle School students, community leaders, and project partners to celebrate the completion of the new facility, which is designed to increase access to soccer and create opportunities for youth development through sport.Today, far too many children, especially those living in underserved communities, do not have a safe place to play, a soccer team to join, or access to coach-mentors who can help guide their development. The new mini-pitch at Mulberry Park aims to help address those barriers by creating an inclusive space where young people can learn, grow, and build community through soccer.
“At Massachusetts Youth Soccer, our vision is to serve, educate, and provide safe soccer for all,” said Dave Amidon, President of Massachusetts Youth Soccer.
“This mini-pitch is much more than a place to play soccer. It is a place where young people can build confidence, develop friendships, learn valuable life skills, and feel a sense of belonging. We are proud to partner with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the City of Brockton to create opportunities that will positively impact youth and families for years to come.”
“Every child deserves a safe place to play and opportunities that help them thrive,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “This new mini-pitch shows what’s possible when partners come together to expand opportunity. We’re proud to work with Massachusetts Youth Soccer and the City of Brockton to ensure more young people have access to the game and the meaningful relationships and experiences it creates.”
“This project represents what is possible when a community comes together to invest in its young people,” said Felipe Pinto, Founder of the Ventura Damon Youth Sports Foundation. “For us, the goal is not only to create a safe place to play but to create more access, pride, and opportunity for Brockton’s youth. Every child deserves spaces where they can stay active, build confidence, and feel supported by the community around them.”
The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s mini-pitch initiative transforms underutilized spaces into safe places for children to play, helping to strengthen communities while increasing access to the sport. This mini-pitch is part of the initiative’s efforts to create 1,000 safe places to play by the end of 2026.
About Massachusetts Youth Soccer
Massachusetts Youth Soccer is the official representative of US Soccer and US Youth Soccer for youth soccer in Massachusetts, proudly serving over 150,000 players and 350 member organizations. The mission of Mass Youth Soccer is to serve, educate, and provide safe soccer play for all. Core values of fun, growth, inclusion, and integrity support our vision to lead, inspire, and unite soccer communities. For more information, please visit www.mayouthsoccer.org.
Massachusetts Youth Soccer is the official representative of US Soccer and US Youth Soccer for youth soccer in Massachusetts, proudly serving over 150,000 players and 350 member organizations. The mission of Mass Youth Soccer is to serve, educate, and provide safe soccer play for all. Core values of fun, growth, inclusion, and integrity support our vision to lead, inspire, and unite soccer communities. For more information, please visit www.mayouthsoccer.org.
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
As the national leader for sports-based youth development in under-resourced areas, the U.S. Soccer Foundation is on a mission to let soccer do what it does: change absolutely everything. Founded as a legacy of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the Foundation provides underserved communities with access to innovative play spaces and evidence-based soccer programs that instill hope, foster well-being, and help youth achieve their fullest potential. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
As the national leader for sports-based youth development in under-resourced areas, the U.S. Soccer Foundation is on a mission to let soccer do what it does: change absolutely everything. Founded as a legacy of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the Foundation provides underserved communities with access to innovative play spaces and evidence-based soccer programs that instill hope, foster well-being, and help youth achieve their fullest potential. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
About Ventura Damon Youth Sports Foundation
The Ventura Damon Youth Sports Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access, opportunity, and support for young people through sport. The Foundation works to help youth build confidence, stay active, develop meaningful relationships, and access safe environments where they can learn and grow. Rooted in the belief that sports can be a powerful tool for physical, mental, and social well-being, the Foundation aims to create lasting impact by investing in youth, families, and communities. Headquartered in MA, the Ventura Damon Youth Sports Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization. To contact us visit vdyouthfoundation.org
The Ventura Damon Youth Sports Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access, opportunity, and support for young people through sport. The Foundation works to help youth build confidence, stay active, develop meaningful relationships, and access safe environments where they can learn and grow. Rooted in the belief that sports can be a powerful tool for physical, mental, and social well-being, the Foundation aims to create lasting impact by investing in youth, families, and communities. Headquartered in MA, the Ventura Damon Youth Sports Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization. To contact us visit vdyouthfoundation.org