Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is pleased to announce today it has awarded ten member organizations grants to assist with the Association’s mission to promote and facilitate the game of soccer for all youth at all levels of play in eastern Pennsylvania. The funding is intended to go primarily, but not limited to, fields and facility improvements.
“The grant program is established to maintain and improve the infrastructure of soccer within our association”, says Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer President, Jim Kuntz, “Quality, safe playing fields with proper goals and necessary equipment will enhance the experience for our players and coaches at the local level. We are pleased that we are in a financial position to give back to our membership in this fashion.”
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s Board of Directors approved this program to provide funding opportunities for all eligible members. The total amount awarded was $85,000.
The following organizations will receive award funds:
Chester Upland Soccer for Success Program, Widener University
Enco United Soccer Club
Germantown Soccer Club
Hanover Soccer Club
Mountain Top Youth Soccer Association
Parkwood Youth Organization
Pottsville Youth Soccer Association
Quakertown Soccer Club
Rheems Athletic Association
Southern Chester County Soccer Association
All applicants provided extensive information regarding their project. Among many criteria, each applicant demonstrated their own financial and human resources being put towards the project as well as establish how this will positively impact their soccer organization and the growth of the sport.
“This grant shall help Pottsville Youth Soccer Association to enhance our existing facilities to provide an improved playing surface. Without this grant, the Association would have had to slowly budget these improvements over a number of years since funds are limited,” says Pottsville representative, Michael J. Peleschak. “The grant is a welcome infusion of cash into our capital improvements budget to maintain our biggest asset, our soccer fields.”
“Throughout our association, field development is a major necessity,” states Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO, Chris Branscome “With so many sports becoming year round, field use is at or near capacity, which ultimately deteriorates the quality. Our grants may now afford a club the opportunity to partner with a municipality or school district, or complete their own project to enhance current fields or to build new ones. Either way, it’s a positive for the community and the children.”
Applications for the 2015 grant period will be accepted as of January 1 through March 31, 2015.