Why do I love NYCFC so much, you might ask? While there's so much to love about New York City's football team, this week, in particular, I was delighted to see what my team was doing off the pitch.
Last year, New York City Football Club, U.S. Soccer Foundation, Adidas, Etihad Airways and the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City teamed up to start the New York City Soccer Initiative. Essentially, the project entails building, maintaining and providing free programming for 50 small sided soccer pitches throughout the five boroughs. The goal of the New York City Soccer Initiative is to promote "healthy eating habits, active living, and mentorship".
The scaled down soccer pitches are being built in areas around the five boroughs where funding for public parks such as these would typically not be granted or part of the budget.
Unbeknownst to me, I got to witness the quick building of one the pitches that is part of the New York City Soccer Initiative. Living in the Bronx right outside Fordham's campus this summer while I intern in Manhattan has given me a chance to really see what the Belmont neighborhood is all about.
One of the mainstays of the neighborhood is Columbus Square, a concrete park that is consistently populated nearly all hours of the day. Many of the surrounding schools and camps utilize this park day in and day out, and it is great to see how the park brings together many families and children of all ages. Being in the very direct vicinity of Columbus Square, I witness the comings and goings of the park which is bustling with activity all hours of every day I spend in the Bronx.
About two weeks ago, my friends and I noticed on our walk back from the Metro-North train station after work that construction had begun within the gates of the park. Speculating on what we thought would be built, we came to the conclusion that a basketball court would probably be the most likely thing being constructed.
After just a few short days, I realized the dimensions of the court were far too small for basketball and began to think what it might be instead. As soon as I recalled my days of playing futsal, I knew what this pitch was going to be.
In under two weeks, the small-sided pitch was created and ready for use by the people of the neighborhood. That's what I call efficiency and an immediate effect on the community. And let me tell you... the pitch has had an INSTANT impact on the area in just the short amount of time it has been in existence.
Before the logos of NYCFC and the other sponsors were painted onto the pitch, tons of kids were already rearing to get their chance to play on the field. In all honesty, the field is so nicely built that there's an extremely high chance I get my indoor soccer shoes from home and start partaking in the games myself.
It truly is a sight to see the park filled with people playing soccer, handball, four-square, volleyball and conversing with the other people that live in the area every day from about 6 PM to past sundown. When I said previously that the park is bustling with activity, I really mean it. There are, at times, literally hundreds of people within the gates of the park on a weekday at dusk. Keep in mind, this isn't a large park so when it gets filled up it is very noticeable how many people are enjoying the public space.
The pitch comes with its own high-quality soccer nets and gates around the side which make for traditional futsal. Since it has been unveiled, kids and parents have lined up along the fences to watch and cheer on their kids and friends while they play in recreational games. The small-sided pitch was a massive addition to the park in a place where soccer was already the most popular sport played within the gates.
Since Day One, NYCFC has been committed to not just being New York City's soccer team, but also bringing soccer to New York City. The projects and work that NYCFC does to better the community is remarkable and commendable on so many levels.
Soccer is a worldwide sport that is loved by billions around the globe and has the power to bring together people of all different races, religions, and backgrounds. This togetherness is a value that NYCFC and the other sponsors of the New York Soccer Initiative are striving to espouse and I sincerely applaud their efforts as they have a direct and immediate impact.
I am proud to be a season ticket holder of NYCFC since the inaugural season and getting to see first-hand how my team is making the city they call a home a better place is something that I have the utmost respect for.
NYCFC, you've done well.
