Soccer for Success with Mattie Rhodes Center
Soccer for Success® is the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s free after-school program that uses soccer as a tool to address children’s health issues and juvenile delinquency, while promoting healthy lifestyles in urban underserved communities. The Foundation partners with community-based organizations across the country to operate Soccer for Success sites – providing thousands of children with free after-school programming three times per week for the entire school year.
There are four main components to the program:
1. Physical Activity – Children participate in 90 minutes sessions at least three days a week to ensure they receive the recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise.
2. Nutrition – Staff and coaches deliver educational activities where children are taught the basics of nutrition, the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices, and the importance of maintaining healthy eating habits.
3. Mentorship – Coaches serve as mentors and stress the importance of excelling in school while promoting the values of teamwork, leadership, discipline and respect.
4. Family Engagement – We strive to help parents and families apply the program’s teachings at home. We give families information on nutrition, health, and public services to aide them in their pursuit of a healthier lifestyle.
