Does anyone know of any soccer programs for disadvantaged youth in the inner city of Houston? Something like what is going on with FC Harlem in New York. I would really like to get involved with something like this, or worst case get something like this started in Houston.
I coach for HISD at the Middle School level and I know at our school the Chivas organization is very big. They seem willing to work as far as cost as well. They pull a lot of their players from the Southwest side. I also have a lot of students that play off of Chimney Rock and Gulfton (near the courthouse annex, Burnett Bayland Park I believe), but I am not real familiar with it and not sure how organized it is over there.
Thanks! I was more thinking of the 2nd and 3rd ward areas. Do you know how I can contact the Chivas organization? is this the same Chivas USA/Deportiva?
I'm not sure how much they do in Houston but Soccer in the Streets has a branch in Houston, you could try contacting their local director to see what they are doing here and how you can help. I know Ricardo Clark is involved with them. http://www.soccerstreets.org/about_sits/program_directors/index.htm
They are on the campus of Revere Middle School (Beltway 8 & Briar Forest). As you drive by they have signs on the field fences with contact info. I apologize, as I should have the info handy but I don't. They set up for U-15 on Wednesday nights at 6 and I believe that the younger guys play Tuesday and Thursday evening, again from 6-8:30. They seem to have a pretty strong connection with Chivas USA, at the very least sending several players to tryouts every year in California.
Thanks guys. I looked up Soccer in the Streets and the person heading up the Houston location is in Cuero, TX. Doesnt seem like the most logical place to run an organization aimed at helping Houston youth. I emailed him but if I dont hear from in pretty short order I will contact there national office. I also emailed the Mayor's office asking if they aware of any organizations trying to provide soccer as an outlet for at risk or underprivledged kids. I will also go by the Revere School as I live on the West side and take down there number. Thanks again.
i hate to be rude... but what rock have you been living under? have you heard of the houstonians fc. the practice at memeorial park rite now, my dad started the club probably ten years ago went around the streets and picked up kids and get 2nd in the nation after a year. hes now the vice president but ya Houstonians FC. its free i think if you cant afford it and its one of the best clubs in houston. they have the most players of any club on the houston dynamo youth squads. good luck
Don't hold your breath. There was one brotha on the COH council that was to link up with Rico and get this ball rolling for inner city youth soccer. I know Rico came from this type of set up in Georgia so he has a place for this Soccer N the Streets plan. I coached at Madison in HISD and it is the "Great Command" handed down by the prophet Pele when he left the NASL in 1977. He said that the game of soccer is an urban game and must be cultivated in our U.S. cities for our nation to truly take a stand in the worlds game. I believe he is right and I would be willing to help anyone in our city grow the game at the urban level and more specifically the urban black youth who are brainwashed by an older generation of black men that are convinced blacks don't play soccer as it is a 'suburban white boys sport'. Never mind the obvious fact that soccer is the most popular sport in Africa and pro men's soccer provides more jobs on a global scale than Wal-Mart.