Community

Nashville’s first mini-pitch soccer field at the McGruder Family Resource Center

NASHVILLE PRIDE — Nashville Major League Soccer partnered with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and United Way of Metropolitan Nashville to build a small soccer field

Published

5 years ago

March 14, 2019

Oakland Post

By Pride Newsdesk

Nashville Major League Soccer (Nashville MLS) partnered with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and United Way of Metropolitan Nashville to build a small soccer field, also known as a mini-pitch, in the culturally rich community of North Nashville at the McGruder Family Resource Center. The project also involved support from Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools and Catholic Charities of Tennessee.

“The mini-pitch at McGruder Family Resource Center is an exciting first step in Nashville MLS community outreach, and we’re pleased to partner with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to bring access to soccer to this community,” said Nashville MLS CEO, Ian Ayre. “Our club has the unique opportunity to provide practical pathways to the game of soccer for youth across Nashville, and we look forward to creating more opportunity around our city for everyone to enjoy and benefit from this beautiful game.”

The Nashville mini-pitch is part of a league-wide commitment to leaving a positive and lasting impact in the areas where our clubs live and play. Major League Soccer and our clubs have built hundreds of fields across the U.S. and Canada, with many more anticipated to be built in the coming years. The development of the newest mini-pitch in Nashville, built by the U.S. Soccer Foundation, will also provide programming, training and resources. Construction on the McGruder mini-pitch will begin in early November and is expected to be completed by early December.

“The McGruder Center is a hub of activity, resources and opportunity for the surrounding North Nashville community, and this mini-pitch will be a valuable addition,” said Erica Mitchell, chief community impact officer, United Way. “We are grateful to Nashville MLS and U.S. Soccer Foundation for their investment in this community and what it will mean for the children and families we serve.”

Soccer’s popularity in the U.S. has tripled, and the sport has also seen similar growth in Canada during the last decade. Dynamic players combined with a passionate, millennial-fueled supporter culture that provides an exhilarating live experience at every match, has made MLS quickly become one of the world’s top soccer leagues. This was accomplished in part by authentically engaging with communities through the game, all while assisting with developing the next generations of fans and players and that is a core part of Nashville MLS.

“We are excited about this program and what it will mean for the youth and families who will benefit from it,” said Marcus Whitney, co-owner of Nashville Soccer Club and President of Briovation. “Soccer is more than a sport, it’s about opportunity, and the new opportunity this mini-pitch brings to children and families in this community is truly limitless.”

This article originally appeared in the Nashville Pride.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

5 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.