Twenty-two participants from United Soccer Club, a program run by D.C. United’s 501(c)3 foundation United for D.C., will join the First Lady of the United States for a Let’s Move! soccer clinic on the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday, May 15. The students are all representing the program’s Harrison Parks and Recreation Center location. Prior to the clinic, the children will be in attendance for a ceremony at which the President will honor members of the 2011 MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
2:05 PM ET: The President’s Remarks Honoring the LA Galaxy
3:00 PM ET: The First Lady’s South Lawn Soccer Clinic
RSVP: Members of the media who wish to cover one or both of these events must RSVP to media_affairs@who.eop.gov with the subject line “LA Galaxy” before 12:00PM ET, Monday, May 14. Please indicate which event you would like to cover. NOTE: Members of the media who do not have a White House hard pass must also submit their full name, date of birth, Social Security number, gender, country of birth, country of citizenship and current city and state of residence. If they are able to accommodate your request for credentials, they will send a confirmation with further instructions and logistical details.
United Soccer Club provides opportunities to learn and play soccer to nearly 700 children in the program this spring, teaching the participants the importance of a healthy lifestyle through physical activity and proper nutrition, as well as life skills that are beneficial on and off the field. The program operates at 12 sites and has two middle school teams. All teams meet three times each week after school for 90-minute sessions, and players are taught by D.C. United staff, current and former United players, and talented local coaches. The program includes friendly matches throughout the season, which are a highlight for parents and further the participants’ sense of team, commitment and healthy competition. The middle school sites – Harrison Parks and Recreation Center and Friendship Academy Tech Prep – participate in the DC Scores’ League.
Elementary sites include Fort Davis Parks and Recreation Center in Ward 7, the Fishing School at J.O. Wilson Elementary School in Ward 6, Barry Farm Recreation Center, Ketcham Elementary School, Boys & Girls Club at Orr Elementary and the FBR Branch at THEARC in Ward 8, Turkey Thicket Recreation Center in Ward 5, Harrison Recreation Center and Parkview Recreation Center in Ward 1, Richard England Clubhouse #14 in Ward 7, and Long Branch Community Center in Silver Spring, Md. The groups will gather for a year-end celebration festival at RFK Stadium on June 6.
United Soccer Club was born from a request in Ward 8 for opportunities for children to play organized soccer. In the spring of 2006, United for D.C. launched its own after school soccer program, in partnership with D.C. Parks and Recreation at Barry Farm Recreation Center. The program has incorporated a formal healthy lifestyles curriculum in an effort to combat the region’s high rate of obesity amongst children.
United Soccer Club, sponsored by the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Volkswagen, The Department of Health and Gallup is one of the many community outreach ventures of United for D.C. Others include the Kicks for Kids program, through which thousands of underprivileged children will have an opportunity to watch D.C. United play this season, as well as United Reads, currently presented in six DC elementary schools. This program distributes nearly 8,000 books during player visits throughout the year.
For more information on these programs or details as to how fans can contribute time or money to these worthy causes, please visit unitedfordc.org or contact United for D.C. at 202-587-5000. United for D.C. is recognized by the Combined Federal Campaign (#60213) and United Way (#8419).
