Sounders FC and RAVE Foundation Kick off Latinx Heritage Month with the Opening of Two New Mini Pitches in Yakima
September 13, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Seattle Sounders FC News Release
SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC and its charitable partner, RAVE Foundation, today announced the kickoff and annual celebration of Latinx Heritage Month – which runs from September 15 to October 15 each year – through different events that are taking place in Yakima and surrounding areas in recognition of the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to United States history and culture. The weekend celebration kicks off with an opening ceremony event of two new mini-pitches built by RAVE and partners at Barge-Lincoln Elementary School in Yakima, a public event scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. PT.
The celebratory ceremony supports the club’s commitment to Defend the Right to Play for youth in historically marginalized communities where access to free, available play-spaces is scarce. With the construction of the new Barge-Lincoln mini-pitches – an initiative in partnership with longtime partners Club Santos Laguna and Orlegi Sports and in collaboration with the University of Washington, Yakima Public Schools and EarthGen – RAVE reinforces its commitment to build 26 small fields for free play by 2026.
The partnership between Seattle Sounders FC and Orlegi Sports – the business entity that operates Liga MX side Santos Laguna – is not new. In 2021, the two entities announced a strategic alliance and collaborative community-focused project in Washington’s Yakima Valley where both clubs operate academy partnerships. As part of this alliance, Sounders and Santos Laguna are investing in two side-by-side co-branded RAVE Foundation mini-pitches in partnership with Yakima Public Schools.
“This project represents one of the first official collaborations fueled by the strategic alliance between Seattle Sounders FC and Orlegi Sports,” said Ashley Fosberg, Vice President of Philanthropy for Seattle Sounders FC and Executive Director of RAVE Foundation. “We could not be more pleased to be partnering with Orlegi, Yakima Public Schools and the University of Washington to bring RAVE’s first investments in Eastern Washington to fruition.” “Extending our 26 Fields by 2026 investments to Yakima and beyond are important to us and to the communities we serve, and Yakima is the perfect first step. The students of Barge-Lincoln are ready to play.”
In Yakima County, where 50.2 percent of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino – compared to 13.0 percent of Washington State’s total population – the new mini-pitches and gardens provide an important service for the community’s youth, with bright inviting play and learning spaces. Central to RAVE’s mission is the fact that mini-pitches are unrentable, meaning they remain open and available at all times to the communities they were built to serve, preserving play opportunities for all children.
The Barge-Lincoln opening ceremony will feature special guests and community leaders including Yakima Mayor Janice Deccio, the Head Consul of Mexico in Seattle Héctor Iván Godoy Priske, Yakima Public Schools Superintendent Trevor Green, Barge-Lincoln Elementary School Principal Tori Brennan, RAVE Foundation Executive Director and Sounders FC Vice President of Philanthropy Ashley Fosberg, former Sounder and current team Brand Ambassador Brad Evans, as well as University of Washington and EarthGen representatives.
The opening event includes a performance by the Barge-Lincoln student marimba ensemble, a ceremonial first shot on-goal by Barge-Lincoln’s students, an all-school ball giveaway and student speakers. The ceremony is preceded and followed by soccer skills training and scrimmaging with local club coaches and Sounders FC staff. Additionally, students at Barge-Lincoln Elementary School will receive a free t-shirt courtesy of RAVE Foundation and the University of Washington.
The inaugural ceremony, scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 17 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. PT, is a celebration for all Barge-Lincoln students, their families, staff members and the surrounding community. Media partners, community leaders and Sounders FC’s fans are all welcome. Free afternoon snacks will be also provided.
Barge-Lincoln Elementary School is located at 219 E I Street, Yakima, WA 98901 and surrounding street parking is available to those who would like to attend. The event is free to the public.
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