(WASHINGTON, DC) – The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States, recently provided over $100,000 of support to eight Gulf Coast soccer organizations through the Soccer United Recovery Fund (SURF). These community-based organizations are located in areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas that were severely impacted by hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.

The Foundation established the Soccer United Recovery Fund in October 2005, in partnership with Eurosport, to help rebuild soccer programs and facilities in Gulf Coast communities affected by the massive storms. In the six months that have followed, the Foundation has awarded more than $180,000 in Recovery Fund grants to over two dozen soccer organizations in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, including the $100,000 discussed here.

Included in the awards made is the fourth major distribution of soccer goals and equipment to organizations in the Gulf states, which includes: Mississippi - Bay Area Youth Soccer (Bay St. Louis), Biloxi Soccer Organization, George Greene Soccer Association (Lucedale), Laural Jones County Soccer Association, Poplarville Soccer Club (Poplarville), and South Mississippi Soccer Club (Gulfport); in Louisiana – ISLANO, an Adult Soccer Club in New Orleans; and in Texas - Gulf Coast Youth Soccer Club in Nederland (near Port Arthur), which marks the first Soccer United Recovery Fund grant in Texas.

This latest set of Recovery Fund grants also includes $50,000 in financial support to the Mississippi Youth Soccer Association that was awarded through the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s annual granting process – further supporting the Foundation’s commitment to the overall soccer recovery effort.

“With the assistance of everyone involved in the SURF efforts, we have been able to get players back onto the fields and resuming normal lives,” said Brent Clements, Executive Director of Mississippi Youth Soccer. “The additional foundation award [$50,000 grant] will enable us to get all of our programs back on their feet.”

Initial requests for Soccer United Recovery Fund grant assistance were coordinated through 10 soccer organizations in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Since December, those seeking assistance on behalf of their youth teams and clubs have been able to apply directly through the Foundation, with the soccer organizations continuing to serve as an advisory group for the Fund.

“This latest set of grants is another shining example of the support and teamwork being shown by all our community and corporate partners,” said John Koskinen, President of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “This on-going effort could not work without the goodwill and community spirit of the regional and local soccer leaders on the ground along with our corporate partners including Kwik Goal, SCORE and, of course, Eurosport which came to us in the fall with the initial idea for the Soccer United Recovery Fund.”

The grant process, designed to address the on-going needs of the Gulf Coast soccer community, is available online at ussoccerfoundation.org. Following this latest set of equipment grants, the focus of the Recovery Fund will now move to the repair and rehabilitation of soccer fields that were damaged during the storms.

Contributors may support this effort by purchasing one of the special t-shirts or other products designed and being sold by Eurosport. Thanks to the contributions of Eurosport and its vendors, 100% of the sales proceeds will go the Fund and be directly granted to soccer players and clubs who need help getting back on their feet. Purchase Soccer United Recovery Fund gear – or make a direct donation – online at: soccerunitedrecoveryfund.org.

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The U.S. Soccer Foundation was established in 1994 to manage
the surplus funds generated by the 1994 FIFA World Cup held in the United States.
Under the guidance of its Board of Directors, the Foundation has taken
a leading role in supporting the continuous development of the sport at all levels.
Over $40 million in grants, financial support and loans have been made to help develop a soccer nation.
The Foundation has provided 387 grants focused on developing players, coaches and referees
and building or enhancing fields and soccer complexes,
with a special emphasis on economically disadvantaged urban areas.
For more information, or to donate online, please visit: ussoccerfoundation.org.