Program 2018/2019

A typical Philly Open Soccer session takes place after school at a partner school or recreation center. Sessions are run by volunteer coaches and are structured to balance skill development with fun — because as the organization's founding philosophy emphasizes, the players and coaches should enjoy themselves.

Sessions typically begin with a warm-up and stretching period, followed by skills-based drills appropriate to the age and experience level of participants. This might include passing, dribbling, shooting, and positional awareness exercises. The session usually concludes with small-sided games that allow participants to apply what they've practiced in a competitive but supportive environment.

Throughout each session, coaches reinforce the core values articulated in the Open Soccer Manifesto: fair play, teamwork, leadership, and discipline. These values are woven into the fabric of the program rather than taught as abstract concepts — they emerge naturally from the structure and culture of the sessions.

Philadelphia Open Soccer has established partnerships with several schools and community organizations across the city. Key school partners have included Benjamin B. Comegys School, Henry C. Lea School, and Mitchell Elementary School — all in partnership with Penn's Netter Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Pennsylvania.

The program also operates at Max Myers Recreation Center, in partnership with HIAS Pennsylvania. HIAS PA is an organization that serves refugees, asylees, and immigrants in the Philadelphia region, and this partnership reflects Philly Open Soccer's commitment to serving the most diverse populations in the city.

Penn's Netter Center for Community Partnerships has been a critical institutional supporter, providing connections to school communities and resources that allow the program to operate effectively. This type of institutional partnership helps ensure program quality and sustainability beyond any individual volunteer's involvement.

Partner selection is guided primarily by the organization's mission to serve underrepresented communities and create genuinely open soccer programs. Schools and centers in neighborhoods with limited access to organized youth sports are prioritized, ensuring that the program reaches children who benefit most from the opportunity.

The partnership with Penn's Netter Center facilitates connections with schools in West Philadelphia and surrounding neighborhoods, where the Netter Center has deep community relationships. This institutional relationship helps Philly Open Soccer gain access to facilities, communicate with families, and operate within school communities in a trusted and sustainable way.

The organization also seeks partnerships where local champions — whether teachers, administrators, or community organizers — are enthusiastic and actively supportive. Programs work best when they're embedded in communities that want them, and Philly Open Soccer prioritizes relationships built on genuine mutual interest.

While weekly after-school sessions are the backbone of the Philadelphia Open Soccer program, annual special events offer a different kind of community-building opportunity. These events bring together participants from multiple program sites, along with families, volunteers, and community supporters, creating moments of celebration and connection that extend beyond the regular program.

Special events might take the form of tournaments that allow participants from different partner schools to compete against each other, end-of-season celebrations that recognize participants' growth and achievements, or community days that introduce new families and potential volunteers to the program.

Funding for special events is one of the areas where donor support is most critical. The organization actively seeks donors specifically for these events, which require resources for venues, equipment, refreshments, and other costs that are separate from the weekly program budget.

If you have a child who attends one of the partner schools, check with the school administration or the Philly Open Soccer team to learn about upcoming enrollment or registration for the after-school program. Sessions at school sites are generally open to enrolled students, and the program is designed to welcome all levels of soccer experience from none to advanced.

For programs at community recreation centers like Max Myers Recreation Center, contact the center directly or reach out to phillyopensoccer@gmail.com for information about how to participate. The organization is always happy to connect interested families with available programs.

If your child is not near a current program site but you believe there is community interest in a program in your area, the organization encourages you to reach out. Philly Open Soccer is always looking for opportunities to expand and is particularly interested in connecting with schools and community organizations that would like to partner.

Schools and community organizations interested in partnering with Philadelphia Open Soccer should begin by reaching out via email at phillyopensoccer@gmail.com. The team will discuss the mutual requirements and expectations for a partnership — including space, time commitment, and the level of school or center involvement needed to support a successful program.

The most successful partnerships are those where the host institution actively supports the program — providing a suitable indoor or outdoor space, communicating with families about the program, and integrating it into the school or center's broader activities. The program doesn't require a full-time staff commitment from the host, but engagement makes a real difference.

Philly Open Soccer brings the coaches, the curriculum, and the program structure. Partner organizations bring the space, the community relationships, and the participants. When these elements come together well, the result is a program that becomes a treasured part of the school or center community.