Open Soccer Manifesto

The Open Soccer Manifesto is the foundational philosophy of Philadelphia Open Soccer — a declaration of the values and principles that guide everything the organization does. It begins with the recognition that soccer is not only the most beautiful game in the world, but also a powerful force to build bridges among people from all walks of life.

Rather than treating soccer as a purely athletic endeavor, the manifesto frames it as a vehicle for social good. The document articulates the organization's belief that an open community — one that welcomes people of any race, gender, status, religion, education, language, or other identity — can be built through shared participation in sport.

The manifesto is a short but powerful statement that informs the way every program is designed and every session is run. It's the "why" behind Philadelphia Open Soccer's work, and it resonates with anyone who believes in the transformative power of sport when deployed with intention and openness.

An open community, as defined in the manifesto, is one that is accessible to and welcoming of every person regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. In practice, this means Philadelphia Open Soccer programs have no eligibility requirements based on skill, income, race, nationality, religion, or any other characteristic.

The word "open" is deliberately chosen to stand in contrast to exclusivity. Many organized sports programs — particularly in the United States — are gatekept by costs, geography, or ability level. Philly Open Soccer actively rejects those barriers, designing programs that are accessible to any child or volunteer who wants to participate.

This commitment to openness also extends to the volunteer and leadership community. People from all professional backgrounds and life experiences contribute to the organization, creating a diverse team that reflects the Philadelphia community it serves.

Fair play is one of the four core values articulated in the manifesto, and it is perhaps the most immediately transferable life skill that soccer teaches. The game has clear rules, and adhering to those rules — even when it costs you a goal or a game — is the foundation of fair play. Players who internalize this understand that rules exist not to restrict, but to enable fair competition that benefits everyone.

Respect is a direct extension of fair play: respecting teammates means supporting them even when they make mistakes; respecting opponents means recognizing their skill and effort rather than dismissing them; respecting referees means accepting decisions even when you disagree. These habits, practiced repeatedly during matches and training sessions, become second nature over time.

For youth participants in Philadelphia Open Soccer programs, these aren't abstract concepts. They're things they practice every week, embodied in concrete actions during games. The research on youth sports consistently shows that when coaches and programs emphasize these values explicitly, participants carry them into their academic, social, and eventually professional lives.

Research in youth development and social psychology consistently shows that structured positive contact between children from different backgrounds builds empathy, reduces prejudice, and develops the social skills necessary for success in an increasingly diverse world. Sports provide an ideal environment for this contact because the shared goal — winning the game — transcends individual differences.

For a city like Philadelphia, which is both richly diverse and deeply segregated by neighborhood, programs like Philly Open Soccer play a specific and important role. Children from different neighborhoods who may never interact in daily life come together on the field. That shared experience can begin to break down the barriers that segregation creates.

Diversity in youth sports also benefits skill development: players who compete against and alongside people with different physical styles, cultural approaches to the game, and problem-solving strategies become more adaptable, creative players. The best teams in the world — at every level — are those that successfully harness diverse talents and perspectives toward a single goal.

The manifesto identifies discipline — encompassing concentration, training, and health — as one of soccer's core transferable values. This is grounded in a fundamental truth about achievement: talent provides potential, but discipline is what converts potential into results. No victory can be achieved without hard work, as the manifesto puts it.

For young athletes, understanding this principle through sport is especially powerful. Children who experience first-hand that consistent practice improves their game — that the player who trains more becomes better, regardless of raw talent — absorb a lesson that applies to academics, career, and personal development.

Health is explicitly included in the manifesto's definition of discipline, acknowledging that physical wellness — fitness, nutrition, rest — is part of what makes sustained performance possible. In communities where access to structured physical activity is limited, programs like Philly Open Soccer provide not just athletic development but a foundation for lifelong healthy habits.

The full text of the Open Soccer Manifesto is available right here on this page. The manifesto is concise by design — it is meant to be a clear, accessible statement of values rather than a lengthy document. Every word was chosen carefully to articulate the organization's philosophy in terms that anyone can understand and relate to.

The manifesto has been the guiding document of Philadelphia Open Soccer since the organization's founding. It appears in program materials and is shared with every new volunteer and partner, ensuring that everyone who engages with the organization understands the values it is built on.

If you'd like to discuss the manifesto or learn more about how its principles are put into practice in the programs, reach out at phillyopensoccer@gmail.com. The team is always happy to talk about the philosophy that makes Philly Open Soccer unique.