This paper discusses the problems that individuals interested in soccer encounter. As outsiders to the soccer community, you might be unwilling to take the problem into consideration. However, despite the commonalities at the roots of the identified issue, the importance of finding an effective solution is very significant. As the representatives of non-profit organizations, you have a chance to make a change not only for a given soccer team but also to a long-term perspective for the development of this kind of sport in New York City. My goal today is to describe the problem we as a soccer community face, discuss some of the solutions that would help resolve it, and the projections for the future with the benefits for a larger community of sportsmen.
As it has been identified throughout a long time of playing soccer and communicating with other players, the most significant problem that obstructs active participation in this sport is the lack of indoor facilities for soccer in the city. As a direct representative of the community, I might say that this issue hinders the chances of soccer players to achieve professional heights and amateur progress. A field that is equipped with appropriate surfacing, lights, and accommodation is a basic requirement that allows the payers to practice. However, given the particularities of the game, it becomes particularly challenging to engage in an adequate training process during colder seasons when the harsh outdoor conditions are unacceptable, and indoor fields are hard to access.
Although there are several sports complexes and indoor fields that provide services through rent, they are commonly occupied due to a large number of players or operate within a high price range. Regular access to such facilities is difficult for amateurs or young players and children. As a result of the lacking affordable indoor places to train, much of the potential and talent remains unattained and underdeveloped. This problem might seem localized and irrelevant to a bigger community. However, the benefits that the solution might bring would be applicable to more people than those currently in the soccer community. With more indoor fields for the winter season, the consistency, quality, and professionalism of the players would grow significantly, setting a positive example to the whole society. Also, it is an important contribution to the promotion of healthy lifestyles and physical activity in youth.
The advancement in the field of professional soccer has shown that there are multiple ways to arrange properly equipped indoor places for training and playing. Indeed, one of the successful projects within this field is Socceroff. It is a sports complex that incorporates an advanced urban soccer facility and accommodation for sporting events and training (“Sports Complex” par. 1). The facility has “ten small 50’ x 80’ fields with the flexibility to combine two or three fields together; fields are manufactured with next generation synthetic grass materials” (“Sport Complex” par. 2). In addition, there are locker rooms, restrooms, and a lounge zone available to the visitors. Professional coaches are working with youth and children within camp programs. Overall, the organization functions as a full-scale sporting facility that provides a safe and professional environment and support for athletes. However, in the amateur segment of the sport, the shift has not been that significant. The community is currently in need of more similar spaces for soccer training to ensure consistency of practice all year long.
Safety being one of the most important issues in sports, it must be a priority for soccer players in their training environment as well. In such highly organized and professional-led facilities as Socceroof, profit from renting and booking is the source of maintenance and safety risk mitigation. However, less equipped and less business-oriented indoor fields are subject to hindered safety for players. This issue is common in the soccer community across the country. As reported by the Sun-News Editorial Board, the maintenance issues are commonly caused by discrepancies in ownership and management (par. 3-4). Therefore, it is important not only to open new indoor fields but also to ensure proper maintenance of both existing and new ones by means of incorporating private and public means.
As demonstrated with the description of Socceroof, the solution is very realistic and easy to implement given the necessary support. Since the benefits of a new indoor field apply to the whole community of New York City, I consider the involvement of non-profit organizations relevant. A starting point for solving the problem might be fundraising and project promotion among potential investors. The organizations that you represent have a history of successful programs and projects aimed at improving the sporting life in the city. Both adults and children would benefit from a new facility since it will provide a properly equipped safe space for training during the winter season.
Following the example of already functioning facilities such as Socceroof and others, we might achieve more than just an indoor field for soccer. It might be a platform for raising awareness in youth and promoting physical activity in children who are so adversely affected by the diminished mobility of modern life. Affordability and safety should be the guiding points of the project. Notably, “no new facility should be funded without a long-range plan for its maintenance” (Sun-News Editorial Board, par. 14). Therefore, the initiative for opening a new facility should be guided by professionals who would conduct accommodating and either construction or restructuring works under strictly followed standards.
As a beginning of solution-finding, our community has initiated an online questionnaire that demonstrated the persistence of the identified problem and the desire of the community members to contribute their efforts. Since your non-profit organizations are particularly dependent on volunteer work, you might count on us as your potential volunteers. However, without financial support and professional guidance in terms of facility maintenance, our efforts will not bring the anticipated result. Therefore, I encourage you to consider this project as an opportunity to contribute to New York City and add another successful project to your organizational portfolio. You might be drivers of change that will trigger a new turn in the development of soccer in the city.
References
“Sport Complex.”Socceroof. n.d. Web.
Sun-News Editorial Board. “Lack of maintenance at soccer fields a concern.”Las Cruses Sun News, 2018. Web.