Soccer - Communities In Schools of NOVA

International Academy Soccer Club at Francis C. Hammond Middle School

With support from Communities In Schools of NOVA, the International Academy Soccer Club at Francis C. Hammond Middle School had its inaugural practice in March 2016. 84 young men and women signed up to participate, with the leadership of four volunteer International Academy faculty and CIS of NOVA’s Outreach Coordinator, Candace Hill. This startup venture was supported by a partnership with the NOVA Gang Prevention Task Force, and the Alexandria Soccer Association, with enthusiastic support from International Academy Academic Principal, Tim Brannon, and Hammond School Principal, Pierrette Hall. It originated after a discussion regarding gang prevention amongst the faculty. The consensus was [...]

Teaching Sportsmanship & Responsibility through Soccer & Literacy

The Real Madrid Foundation leads a weekly after-school soccer program at Gunston Middle School. This program brings experienced and foundation-trained coaches to Arlington Public Schools to teach students not only soccer skills, but also important life values such as good sportsmanship and responsibility. At Gunston, Communities In Schools has partnered with the Minority Achievement Coordinator and school faculty to tie the soccer program with a once-a-week literacy session, where students get extra help and strategies in reading and English. The students are excited to play soccer in organized teams outside, where they are developing personal responsibility by having their daily actions and [...]