This new programme will combine seed funding, educational tools, leadership training and mentoring.
It will give young community football leaders in Washington DC, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Chicago all they need to create their own unique programmes, using specially adapted football games to light an interest in science, engineering, technology and mathematics amongst local young people.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an adverse impact on the health, wellbeing and educational attainment of young people in the most underserved communities.
This is coupled with the STEM skills gap, a widely reported issue in the US and globally, and the need to upskill young people to be able to meet the future demands of a dynamic and evolving workforce, by building knowledge and literacy in STEM concepts.
Verizon’s support is enabling a small group of young leaders across the four cities, all identified for their passion for education and football, to become upskilled on STEM topics, and in turn to inspire more than 300 young people in their communities using the power of football.
The programme has kicked off with a series of online workshops to support the young leaders to devise a football-based STEM education curriculum.
Over the course of the next twelve months, young leaders will deliver regular football and STEM sessions, as well as festivals, tournaments and STEM career events.
The programme will be delivered in partnership with registered NGOs in each city and builds on City’s long-term support for young people in the US through its global flagship Cityzens Giving programme.
Since 2015, Cityzens Giving has trained more than 200 young leaders in five cities across the US who have in turn positively impacted the lives of more than 4,000 young people using the universal language of football.
Tom Pitchon, Director of City Football Group’s global foundation said: “Football is much more than a game. It’s a language to engage young people and educate on a whole range of topics, including science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.
We’re delighted to launch this new network of projects with Verizon, inspiring the next generation across the US around STEM.”
More information on Verizon’s partnership with Manchester City, can be found HERE.
