JBU awarded $15K grant from U.S. Soccer Foundation for Futsal Courts

John Brown University announced Monday that it has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation to help fund the installation for the first public futsal courts in Northwest Arkansas.

The courts will be completed on JBU's Siloam Springs campus this spring.

The grant was awarded as part of the U.S. Soccer Foundation's Safe Places to Play program. Across the country, children in under-served communities face an acute shortage of safe places to play largely because there isn't enough space to create them or funding to maintain them. Safe Places to Play gives kids safe and accessible areas to play by funding the costs of design, construction, surfacing and enhancement in these communities.

"JBU is grateful to the U.S. Soccer Foundation for this grant to create a facility that will support the thriving soccer community at JBU and in Siloam Springs," JBU President Dr. Chip Pollard said. "The futsal courts offer a year-round venue for young and old soccer players to enjoy the game and develop their skills. We are deeply grateful for all of the public and private partners involved in this project to improve the quality of life in our community."

JBU's 120-by-150 hard surface facility will consist of two smaller courts and one larger court. The courts will serve JBU's soccer and intramural programs, the 700 young people in the Siloam Springs Futbol Club, and the community through both an adult league and informal games.

"The U.S. Soccer Foundation is proud to support organizations that are working to give kids safe and accessible places to play," said Ed Foster-Simeon, President and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. "We know that making these spaces available to youth not only introduces them to the game of soccer, but also encourages a healthy and active lifestyle."

Since its inception in 1994, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has awarded more than $100 million in grants to non-profit organizations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Support for the U.S. Soccer Foundation's grant process is provided by the Foundation's corporate partners, including Hellas Construction, Hunter Industries, Kwik Goal, Musco Sports Lighting, Soccer.com and Sport Court.

The U.S. Soccer Foundation's programs are the national model for sports-based youth development in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has established programs proven to help children embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while nurturing their personal growth beyond sports. Its cost-effective, high-impact initiatives offer safe environments where kids and communities thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.

For more information, visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org or follow them on Twitter at @ussoccerfndn and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ussoccerfoundation.

General News on 01/11/2017