Soccer News: Soccer Support Announces Major #GrowTheGame San Diego Projects

Action Packed Soccer Weekend to Leave a Lasting Legacy in San Diego Community

With the #GrowTheGame San Diego pilot project fast approaching (April 14 & 15), Soccer Support has announced its legacy project and an important initiative to gain more recognition for the sport in San Diego’s Hall of Fame.

In Soccer Support’s most exciting and important announcement to date, Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) will become the legacy project of #GrowTheGame San Diego. SSUSA is designed to empower men, women, and youth of all ages who lack permanent housing to set life goals both on and off the field and transform the context within which they live from one of isolation, abuse and marginalization to one of community, purpose and achievement.

By undergoing the SSUSA process, players improve their social skills, self-esteem and physical/mental health and eliminate barriers to employment. This makes them more likely to achieve housing and job placement than their peers.

Soccer Support CEO, Ryan Ginard was quick to point out that #GrowTheGame is based on the premise that all of its projects leave a lasting impact at the grassroots of the game.

“While the annual #GrowTheGame day is about fun and empowering local clubs, fans and players to celebrate the game they love, it is important for the continued growth of soccer in the U.S. that communities continue to benefit from our objectives.

“Ending homelessness is a team sport and that’s why soccer has always been regarded as one of the best vehicles for social change. With that in mind, Soccer Support is proud to see our first legacy project being one which will have a direct impact on one of the forgotten social issues of our generation – homelessness,” Ginard said.

From the champions of the streets to San Diego’s own Hall of Champions comes the organization’s second announcement, the Induct Wynalda campaign. Induct Wynalda was created due to the under-representation of soccer players in the San Diego Hall of Champions. Of the 122 San Diego sports personalities inducted since The Breitbard Hall of Fame was established in 1953, less than 2.5% of athletes represent soccer.

To begin the quest to restore pride and parity for the beautiful game in the San Diego Hall of Champions Soccer Support has turned to arguably the city’s greatest soccer export, Eric Wynalda. Soccer Support will be leading the campaign to have him inducted to The Brietbard (San Diego) Hall of Fame in a salute to all that he has done, and continues to do, for the game here in San Diego and the sport nationally.

Fans of soccer in San Diego are encouraged to visit www.inductwynalda.wordpress.com and sign the petition. Soccer Support will then forward Eric’s nomination to the San Diego Hall of Champions this summer together with the names of everyone who signs the petition.