A new era for youth soccer
The Philadelphia Union announced the launch of its Soccer in Schools initiative at Thomas Holme Elementary, marking the first step of a program designed to weave soccer into the daily fabric of elementary education across the Greater Philadelphia region.
During its inaugural year the program will engage more than 32,000 students in 175 schools spread across seven districts, providing lesson plans, educator training and the necessary equipment to embed soccer into recess and classroom activities.
Tim McDermott, President of the Philadelphia Union, highlighted the sport’s unique ability to unite communities and create pathways for young athletes, stating that the initiative is about more than competition — it is about opportunity and inclusion.
Beyond the classroom, participating schools will receive a suite of resources including balls, pinnies, cones, pop‑up goals and ball pumps, while students who show interest or talent will be connected to local clubs, camps, clinics and the Union’s SWAG program.
The first‑year districts include the School District of Philadelphia, Chester Upland, Chester Charter Scholars Academy, Avon Grove, West Chester Area and Norristown Area, with plans to roll out to additional districts and expand the reach into Delaware and New Jersey, potentially impacting up to 500,000 students regionwide.