Q. What is SOW Soccer?
SOW Soccer is a program that is looking to expand grassroots soccer in communities around the state of Wyoming.
Q. What is the initial goal of SOW Soccer?
The idea is for each club to sow the sport of soccer in their community through "planting seeds." (i.e. soccer balls) The goal is to bring in new soccer players throughout Wyoming.
Q. Where will the first grant program take place?
Starting with the state’s “seed” in the Wind River Indian Reservation with over 4,000 kids between 6 & 18 years of age who are not currently in the sport. The program will cover three years and start with recreational soccer for 6-12 years old, expanding in year two to include13-18 year old's and finalizing in year three with competitive programming and full integration into the Wyoming Soccer landscape.
Q. How will established clubs participate in the program?
In addition, the model will be scaled down for our state affiliated clubs to implement in their own communities to build their current membership.
Q. When will the Wind River soccer program be self-sustaining?
With established partnerships throughout the next three years with the Parks & Recreation Department, the Boys & Girls Club and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and with the establishment of a full functioning club with board members, etc. there will be established community support and buy-in at the conclusion of the requested ITG grant cycle to continue to the club and program into the future.
Q. What is the long-term vision of the SOW Soccer program?
The SOW Soccer long-term plan is to build a fully established soccer club on the Wind River Indian Reservation. The success of the program, and fully integrated partnership with the local Boys & Girls Club, will serve as a model for other state associations and clubs to use in building their own program's.The success of the program and fully integrated partnership with the local Boys & Girls Club will serve as amodel for other state associations and clubs to use in building a program.The success of the program and fully integrated partnership with the local Boys & Girls Club will serve as amodel for other state associations and clubs to use in building a program.
Q. What are the benefits of establishing a soccer club on the reservation?
- Being part of a team
- Community involvement
- Social interaction with peers
- Higher graduation rates
- Lower drop-out rates
- Higher college admissions
- Lower teen pregnancies
- Lower addiction rates
- Lower crime rates among teens