America´s future soccer players get the chance to learn from the best with the new Philadelphia Union Gym Class Takeover program presented by ACME. The Philadelphia Union will make gym class extra special four times this year for students in 5th through 8th grade at local schools.
With the new program, students unknowingly arrive at gym class to see the Philadelphia Union inflatable field and soccer stations. Instead of having their normal class, a player and Philadelphia Union members teach technique at the soccer stations and host a scrimmage game for the entirety of the class period.
Two takeovers have already occurred this year at local elementary and middle schools. In March, the 5th and 6th grade classes at George Sherwood School came to gym class surprised to see the inflatable soccer field and soccer stations ready for action. In addition to the scrimmage on the inflatable field, the students played pick up, steal the bacon and knockout.
In April, the Union took over the gym classes for the 5th through 8th grade students at G.W Childs School in South Philadelphia. Defender Ray Gaddis made a special guest appearance and played with the students during the two-hour class.
All the participating schools receive ten soccer balls and two mini goals, courtesy of the Philadelphia Union and ACME. The students at G.W Childs School showed particular excitement for these gifts as their sports programs recently ended due to a spending cut.
Two more gym class takes overs are scheduled for the 2015 calendar year, with the next set for September in time for the new school year. All interested schools should write to Utour@philadelphiaunion.com explaining the need for this program and why the Philadelphia Union should take gym class over.
