Oakland Roots Hosts Workshop for Community Coaches with Focus on Empathy and Mental Health

June 7, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Oakland Roots News Release

Oakland Roots and Coaching Corps / Positive Coaching Alliance will provide 50 community soccer coaches with equipment and coaching skills designed for underserved communities as part of the Roots in the Community Program.

Roots in the Community is Oakland Roots’ grassroots community outreach program presented by Anthem Blue Cross. Roots in the Community is about growing the game of soccer and increasing access for all, whether as players, coaches or fans.

“I am so proud of our partnership with the Oakland Roots Sports Club and our work to recruit and train hundreds of coaches to address the critical shortage of opportunities for youth of color in Oakland” said Robert Marcus, Director of Government and Community Engagement at Coaching Corps. “Through our partnership, together we strive to ensure more kids have access to a trained coach that creates a positive sports culture to ensure the best outcomes possible. The Roots commitment to equitable access in our local youth sports ecosystem is truly inspiring.”

The participants in the workshop come from a range of backgrounds, representing local non-profit organizations, Oakland Unified School District, Oakland Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Development and even some players from PROject51O, Oakland Roots’ development team.

Positive Coaching Alliance/Coaching Corps’ curriculum focuses on skills that will help coaches build soccer programs where young people feel safe, heard and valued. The coaches will also learn how to access mental health services for at-risk youth from Crisis Support Services of Alameda County, and how to refer families in need to healthcare services.

Following the workshop a panel discussion will focus on the value of representation in coaching and growing the game through the lens of racial equity and will feature Roots Technical Director Jordan Ferrell and Mental Health Coach Lisa Bonta Sumii.

“Historically, not everyone has had the same opportunity to access the game of soccer in Oakland whether for financial, geographic or cultural reasons” said Mike Geddes, Roots’ Chief Purpose Officer. “We want to get more kids into soccer because regular participation in sport can offer many physical and mental health benefits.

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