ORLANDO, Fla. – March 9, 2016 – Orlando City Foundation continues to impact the lives of Orlando’s youth soccer community through the unveiling of its second mini pitch at Frontline Outreach Youth and Family Center (3000 C R Smith St. Orlando, FL 32805). The mini pitch, which was unveiled today, will bolster the Foundation’s Soccer for Success program.
“Since we introduced the program and first mini pitch last year, we’ve seen a lot of participation from kids,” said Kay Rawlins, the Orlando City Foundation’s president and director of community relations. “Frontline Outreach is an exciting step for the continued growth of our community outreach efforts. We can’t wait to use this pitch to get kids active and moving, and begin work on our third location.”
The Foundation installed its first mini pitch in October 2015 at John H. Jackson Community Center, and has reached 150 children ranging from 7 to 13 years of age. Through a partnership with MLS WORKS and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the organizations’ launched the first series of Soccer for Success in Orlando— a free nationwide after-school program that incorporates vigorous exercise, nutrition education, and mentorships for children. Orlando City looks to build two additional mini pitches early this year.
In a recent study, children enrolled in Soccer for Success improved their BMI by three percentile points, improved their aerobic capacity by 24 percent and improved their waist circumference size by 00.22 inches than children enrolled in other programs.
