Solomon joins event supporting FC Max Myers Youth Soccer
Rep. Jared G. Solomon May 13, 2022 | 1:56 PM
PHILADELPHIA, May 13 – State Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Phila., joined FC Max Myers Youth Soccer coaches Viulka Arias Guzman (head coach) and Jaafar Alzaidi (coach) in discussing the success of the FC Max Myers Youth Soccer Program and how community members can get involved.
A citation was awarded to Jaafar Alzaidi for his work as a youth coach in The Sports Creative, a nonprofit that builds sports programs for marginalized communities. The nonprofit focuses on the physical, mental and social well-being of these communities.
FC Max Myers is a free soccer and personal development program for children and youth in the area of Oxford Circle, Philadelphia. It takes place at the Max Myers Playground. The program is facilitated by The Sports Creative on behalf of Cityzens Giving (Manchester City), love.futbol, and in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Rec. The goal is a community soccer club delivered and sustained by the community.
“I appreciate this partnership between Parks & Recreation, Max Myers staff, and the Sports Creative because they provide youth with opportunities to participate in sports. Sports and good coaches are important and needed for personal development,” Solomon said. “Years ago, I was a peewee league baseball Allstate of the Max Myers Padres and this experience on a team helped me develop my communication and leadership skills. I want to thank Joe Hewitt, the Founder of Sports Creative, Head Coach Viulka, and Coach Jaafar. These sports cultivate leadership skills.”
“Through the collaboration between the Sports Creative and Parks & Recreation we have been able to offer free soccer to youth for the past two years. Our goal is to make soccer accessible to everyone that is interested,” Guzman said. “Our athletes range in age from 6-13 years old and we have about 30 youth that participate in the program consistently. Our goal is to teach youth that they have a voice and to develop their leadership and crucial thinking skills. I am a full-time language teacher and am the head coach for FC Max Myers and the Olney soccer team. I appreciate this opportunity to talk about the work we do, and I want to use this time to make a call for coaches. We need coaches. Please contact Max Myer recreation center at 215-685-1242 if you are interested in volunteering.”
“I am 18 years old and live in this community. I am a senior at Lincoln, and I know how important it is for us to create healthy environments for the kids to grow and develop,” Alzaidi said. “Being a coach and giving back to my community is important to me and I am grateful to receive this citation of recognition.”
ATTN TV STATIONS: Broadcast quality video from this event is downloadable here. Video recap of the event is available on Solomon's YouTube Playlist here.
Photos can be found here.