DETROIT – Detroit's new citywide elementary school soccer league will begin its second season on Saturday with more teams involved.
The inaugural season of the "Goal Detroit" elementary soccer league was launched during the fall of 2014 with the help of Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit PAL, the Recreation Department and the Detroit public and charter elementary schools.
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During the inaugural season, there were 43 teams from 18 schools serving approximately 600 youth. This spring the league has expanded to serve five additional schools across Detroit, which now serves 48 teams from 23 elementary schools including Education Achievement Authority schools.
This was done with the help of contributing founders such as the Skillman Foundation, Recreation Department, and the Bagger Dave's and Buffalo Wild Wings collaboration.
Soccer leagues are traditionally more accepted in suburban communities, but the Mayor felt the time was right to bring the sport to Detroit students at a new level.
"Our first year was a great success and an opportunity for these young students from several school districts in Detroit to experience a lot of fun and exercise," Mayor Duggan said. "This year promises to be even better with more teams participating. I encourage people to go out and support these young athletes."
The league is open to all Detroit elementary schools, whether public, private or charter. The initial response was so strong that the inaugural season reached capacity within weeks of the launch announcement.
Throughout the season, weekly scores were reported from the Mayor along with highlighting a player of the week for good sportsmanship. Every participating student received a medal for their hard work while the championship teams received trophies.
The spring season begins Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the following locations:
O'Haire Park, 20000 Evergreen Rd, Detroit, MI 48219 (behind Henry Ford High School)
Patton Park, Dix St, Detroit, MI 48209, in South West Detroit
Participating Schools:
Charter
- Henry Ford Academy
- David Ellis Academy West
- University Preparatory Science and Math Elementary
- The Boggs School
- Joy Preparatory Academy
- Allen Academy
- Oakland International
- Caniff Liberty
- Michigan Technical Academy
- Cesar Chavez
- Most Holy Trinity
- Crescent Academy
EAA
- Brenda Scott
- Phoenix Multi-Cultural Academy
- Marion Law Academy
DPS
- Academy of the Americas
- Earhart Academy
- Harms
- Chrysler
- EA Academy
- Munger
- Neinas
- Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies
- Priest
- John R King
If you would like to sign up for the fall Goal Detroit PAL Elementary Soccer League, contact Shay Lewis of Detroit PAL at 313-883-1600 ext. 211 or slewis@detroitpal.org.