Josiah Boggs (Hiram, OH/Cedarville Univ.) scored the opening goal in the 12th minute of play to give the AFC Ohio U23 side the lead en route to a 2:1 victory over Afro United FC Akron in a benefit friendly match on Sunday afternoon at King Field on the campus of Malone University.
A little under 100 people braved the steady rain on the day to come out and support both sides in a match that raised over $300.00 in funding for the Ambassadors Football Club’s “Creating Chances” Scholarship Program. “Creating Chances” provides funding for youth soccer players, especially those from Akron, who for many reason can’t afford the rising costs of youth sports. Veteran forward Zach Kern (Rocky River, OH/Marietta College) sealed the victory with a goal in the 68th minute.
“The only negative on the day was the weather kept many, many people away,” said Director of Men’s Football Operations Bob Dean. “I am sure that impacted the bottom line related to the amount of funding we raised on the day. Yet, this was a celebration of the Spirit of the Lord on the day we celebrate Pentacost…the Holy Spirit amongst us. Anyone who sat in that rain to come out to this match must have been filled with a giving spirit and we are grateful to everyone for their help.”
Ambassadors Football missionary Matt Warner, who has been the primary contact in Akron for the ministry to youth in the North Hill area, took the time to elaborate on the “Creating Chances” Scholarship Program.
“Premier-level youth soccer in the United States is a pay-to-play system. According to a survey by Utah State University, the average family spends $2,292 per year on youth sports! With the cost of playing so high, the club soccer environment is often out of reach for many people,” he said. “This is especially true in Akron, where one in five families are below the poverty line. At Ambassadors Football, one of our goals is to redefine who has access to the top levels of youth soccer in America. Our ‘Creating Chances’ scholarship provides opportunities for young players to play premier soccer with Ambassadors FC, whose mission is to create a high-performance, Christ-centered Football Club that transforms the lives of its members.”
“Through our community programs in the Akron area, our experienced coaches identify players with the potential and desire to play at a higher level,” Warner said when asked more about the process. “After meeting with his or her family, we arrange for a tryout with the appropriate team within Ambassadors FC. If the player makes the team on merit, the ‘Creating Chances’ process begins. The player’s parents go through the club registration process so they are officially a part of the club. Through scholarships and donations, generous individuals or groups cover the cost of what each player needs to play.”
Ambassadors Football absorbs over $75,000 annually to fund this scholarship program. And, the funding not only goes to players and families from North Akron, but also to ANY eligible player and family who applies regardless of their financial circumstances. Ambassadors has never been able to raise 100% of the annual cost and act on faith to provide the funding from other budget line resources within the youth club.
“This program is an annual loss leader for the club,” Dean stated. “It is a financial burden every, single year without doubt. But, we do the best we can and trust in the Lord that He will provide us with a way. And, we aren’t waiting on the Lord to do all the work. We are constantly knocking on doors and trying to find a way to cover this total expense to help as many families as possible. I don’t know of another club in this region that does not cap the number of scholarships for financial need.”
The Ambassadors FC Ohio U23 squad will return home next Saturday, May 30 to open their National Premier Soccer League – Regional League season when they host FC Dynamo Rochester at 1:30 p.m. at Dr. David & Winnie King Field on the campus of Malone University in Canton, Ohio.
Photo Credits: Mark Gorman
