Philadelphia Union's Mark McKenzie To Return As Ambassador For Future Soccer Stars Foundation PlayDay
Support from Chase and Philadelphia Union make annual event possible at 76ers Fieldhouse
CHESTER, Pa. (June 12, 2019) – Wilmington-based Future Soccer Stars Foundation (FSS), with the financial support of Chase and the Philadelphia Union, announces the celebration of its fourth FSS “City on the Pitch” Annual Playday. The one-day event will kick-off 9:30 a.m. ET, Friday, June 21, 2019 and end at 2:00 p.m. ET. Last year’s event recap can be seen here.
This year, FSS is expecting up to 750 participants aged 8-16 as the event will take place for the first time at the newly developed 76ers Fieldhouse where FSS now calls home. While its host programs are still housed at its generous partner organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs, schools, and community centers, often the spaces available are either ill-suited, too small, or restricted by fire code to hold more participants. By being able to host the PlayDay in the city, FSS is able to cut down the amount of travel and bring this growing event back into the very community it serves.
As Rob Buccini of the Buccini-Pollin Group (the parent company of BPG|Sports) states, “ Before this project even started, Steve Cavalier had brought to our attention the potential for additional lighted soccer fields to meet the needs of the growing sport in Delaware. So we started canvassing the nation for an understanding of what it meant to build a sports facilities beyond those in existence -- we wanted to do something bigger more aspirational for our state. With some good timing, one thing led to another and what started as extra soccer fields turned into a project much more comprehensive and supportive to the goal of ‘hometown pride’ in sports and especially to FSS and its mission.”
Steve Cavalier, Executive Director of FSS puts it in perspective as related to programming. “For the first time Delaware now has, in the Fieldhouse, a beacon and logical pathway and jumping point for soccer. A child can now pretty much progress from recreational soccer to college, to the US Soccer National teams and the pros if they choose to work hard and set their sights high. It’s not something out of reach or something somewhere else. It’s here in Wilmington. There’s nothing like this in the region which makes it all the more special for our communities.”
New to this year’s PlayDay is an adult educational event sponsored by Chase. To help the community build strong financial foundations, Chase will provide free financial coaching on how to grow savings, reduce debt, build credit, and achieve financial goals.
"Focusing on financial health early is an investment that pays dividends throughout your life,” said Tom Horne, Chase Delaware Market President. “As a proud member of the Wilmington community where more than 10,000 Chase employees work, we’re excited to have this opportunity to equip local youths and their families with the skills they need to achieve their long term goals.”
This event is open to families attending the PlayDay and anyone else who would like to participate. The program includes lunch and provides transportation from host sites. Those interested should contact FSS through its website.
Finally, enriching the 2019 PlayDay will be participation and support by the Philadelphia Union, the Delaware Art Museum, Titus Sports Academy, Strive, and local musicians and artists.
