Lega Serie A USA announced the renewal of its community partnership with Street Soccer USA, a non-profit organization that fights poverty and strengthens communities through soccer across the US. The partnership serves as a cornerstone for ‘Serie A Calcio in the Community’, a program dedicated to fostering positive social impact and empowering young people through their relationship with soccer across North America.

In May 2023, Lega Serie A and Street Soccer USA opened the Teddy van Beuren Street Soccer Park and Learning Center at Community School 55 in the Bronx, New York City, creating a space that is accessible to the entire local community, allowing students to learn to play soccer while developing important social and educational skills.

Two branded Street Soccer USA and Lega Serie A pitches are complemented by a Digital Media Center powered by Lega Serie A. The center runs programs to educate young people on the proper use of digital platforms, content creation, and production. The Street Soccer USA partnership has also utilized career panels, which provide insight from a range of professionals in various fields, including sports management, coaching, marketing, and media. In April 2024, a career panel at Street Soccer USA’s NY Chapter kicked off with a surprise guest: six-time Serie A champion and World Cup winner Alessandro del Piero. Serie A Calcio in the Community will work with Street Soccer USA on fundraising initiatives and further career panels in cities served by the nonprofit across the United States.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Street Soccer USA, which does a truly incredible job in providing programming for underserved communities across America,” said Andy Mitchell, CEO and Managing Director of Lega Serie A USA. “The Serie A Calcio in the Community program is central to our efforts to leverage the profile and platform of Italian soccer to inspire the next generation, and we’re excited to see the difference we can make in collaboration with our nonprofit partners.”

Street Soccer USA provides an alternative to the pay-to-play model of youth soccer in the United States for the 11 million youth living at or below the poverty line.

“We’re delighted to continue our relationship with Serie A, which has provided a fantastic level of support for our programming and facilities,” said Lawrence Cann, Founder and CEO of Street Soccer USA. “This partnership will continue to benefit our underserved communities through the power of the beautiful game.”

This partnership marks the latest step in the Serie A Calcio in the Community program, which highlights the league’s dedication to making a positive social impact and empowering young people by harnessing the global platform of Italy’s premier professional soccer league. As part of Calcio in the Community, Lega Serie A USA partners with the New York City nonprofit organization South Bronx United and the Pulisic Stomping Grounds to organize career panels, volunteer events, and soccer competitions, using the world’s favorite sport as a vehicle for change for underserved communities in North America.

South Bronx United strives to promote educational achievement, health and wellness, and character development through activities on and off the soccer field, annually serving over 1,700 residents between the ages of four and 24.

Serie A Calcio in the Community works with South Bronx United’s Academy program to tailor career panels to the community's needs. These panels provide insight from a range of professionals in various fields, including sports management, coaching, marketing, and media. Lega Serie A is also working with South Bronx United on a Volunteer Day, and other fundraising projects to benefit the Bronx’s underserved communities.

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Serie A Calcio in the Community has also joined forces with PUMA and Christian Pulisic to engage with the youth community in Little Havana, Miami, at the Pulisic Stomping Grounds. At this location, local youth have had the opportunity to train with Serie A Elite coaches and learn about working in soccer on and off the field from executives and leadership at Serie A and AC Milan.