Hello,

My name is Avery. I am 11 years old and I live in Los Angeles, California. And I absolutely love soccer. For me, soccer is all about being part of a team. I look forward to hanging out with my teammates and playing together in tournaments.

I’m telling you my story because for #GivingTuesday, I hope you will help support soccer in the United States. 

#GivingTuesday is a special holiday on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to remind people to donate to causes that they find meaningful. During the holiday season it is important to remember that if no one gave their time or money to nonprofit organizations because they thought someone else would, then they are missing their chance to improve the world.

Soccer has helped players like me. It has helped me be fit, healthy and taught me to never give up.

Many times, there is a game where I feel like I don’t have anything left in me, but I don’t give up. Later on, I may have a test where I don’t think I can answer a question. I remember to never give up, and I find an answer.

For U.S. Soccer’s #GivingTuesday Campaign, Presented by Volkswagen, I hope you will think about supporting the U.S. Soccer Development Fund or a new program called the Jill Ellis Scholarship Fund.

The Jill Ellis Scholarship Fund helps female coaches with scholarships to pay for coaching courses in the highest classes. There is also a SheChampions Mentorship Program that gives female coaches someone to talk to and help them reach their goals. You can read more about it here.

Having a woman as a coach has meant so much to me. With a female coach, I feel very comfortable, like I can fully be myself. She understands me and I can learn a lot from her. A female coach is a leader and a role model who shows me that I can reach MY goals, no matter my gender. It’s important to have female role models in life. Without them, I couldn’t see that I can be anything I want to be. It opens up possibilities.

That’s why we should try to support more female coaches, because it helps more than just the coach – it also helps girls like me.

Will you join us this #GivingTuesday to support U.S. Soccer and the sport we love?

Sincerely,

Avery R.

CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE FEMALE COACHES

This fall, U.S. Soccer launched the Jill Ellis Scholarship Fund to empower and advance female coaches, together with the SheChampions Mentorship program to provide hands-on support to women navigating everyday challenges in the coaching industry.

 The Jill Ellis Scholarship will fund 50% of the tuition cost for any woman taking her USSF Pro, A or B coaching license course; and the programs will combine to assist U.S. Soccer in achieving its goal of doubling the number of elite professional female coaches by 2024.

Learn more about the scholarship program or donate today to support the next generation of great female coaches and players.