SAFE-HUB PRESENTS: THE LIGHTHOUSE "FAIRPLAY" SOCCER PROGRAM
Safe-Hub is excited to partner with MVP360 to begin offering the FairPlay soccer program at Lighthouse Fields starting Spring 2020. FairPlay soccer combines soccer training and life-skills development to create young people who are well-rounded people and athletes.
WHAT IS ‘FAIRPLAY’ SOCCER?
The FairPlay soccer program is designed to develop life-skills through soccer in a way that produces great athletes and great people. The program teaches and sharpens young people’s fundamental soccer skills through consistent practice in addition to helping them discover skills in teamwork, leadership, and overcoming adversity and setbacks. The curriculum is focused on learning through team-based soccer in a competitive, safe, and fun environment. Teamwork and resilience principles promote each participant’s commitment to their team and themselves.
The ten-week program consists of twice-per-week practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays where participants focus on soccer skills development while learning about the concept of ‘FairPlay’ on and off the field. On Saturdays, participants play in a soccer league that promotes skills development and FairPlay principles. Young people of all skill levels are highly encouraged to join.
PROGRAM DAYS: 2 practice days per week after school (Tuesdays, Thursdays); 1 game-day per week on Saturdays
SPRING SEASON DATES: March 28, 2020, to June 06, 2020
LOCATION: Lighthouse Fields, 101 E. Erie Ave. Philadelphia, PA
AGE GROUP: Girls and Boys 8-14 years old (all ages welcome to register)
COST: $45.00 per season FREE for all Lighthouse Pre-School Registered Students ages 4 and 5
REQUIRED GEAR: Sneakers (cleats preferred), shorts or sweatpants, socks, shin guards
WHO IS SAFE-HUB?
Founded in South Africa in 2007, Safe-Hub believes in the power of soccer to unite people from around the world and around the corner. With over 10 years of experience in soccer-based youth development, Safe-Hub’s primary focus is using sport to expose young people to critical self- social- and community-awareness skills. The Safe-Hub model focuses on the whole child to ensure that young people have access to a physically and emotionally safe space, committed and positive role models, and competitive and meaningful opportunities to continue learning on the field and in life.
We are very excited to be partnering with MVP360 Youth Sports in Philadelphia and The Lighthouse, Inc in order to build on the exceptional work they are doing and to provide high-quality and accessible recreational and competitive soccer programs to young people from all over the city. Together, we are confident that we can get one step closer to achieving our vision, which is a world where all young people have access to equal opportunities, strive to realize their full potential and dare to dream.
Safe-Hub, currently operational at-scale in South Africa and starting up in Germany and Philadelphia, has been endorsed by the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace as a global best-practice model for youth development. Safe-Hub has won numerous international awards and endorsements, including the Beyond Sport Award as the best global social impact project in ‘Conflict Resolution’ and the White House Letter of Endorsement from Michelle Obama.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Liam Connolly is the Director and Head Coach for Safe-Hub Philadelphia. Originally from Quebec, Canada, Liam began to recognize the power sports have for social and personal growth when he moved to the United States at 13 years old. Through high school, club soccer, college, and the beginning of his career, Liam has had the opportunity to play and coach soccer in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. For Liam, soccer was and continues to be, a common language that can bridge differences.
After four years at Nazareth College in upstate New York, where Liam captained the NCAA DIII Golden Flyers in his final two years, Liam was awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to South Korea. Liam taught English by day and coached soccer during the evenings and weekends as a way to create meaningful connections with his students outside the classroom.
Liam returned to the US to earn a master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, focusing partially on sports in international development. While studying, he also coached at multiple Boston-based soccer programs. Liam joined the Safe-Hub team in 2016 to help build on their work in South Africa and returned in 2019 to start the Philadelphia-based program.