By Tim Saunders on
Ex-Real Madrid teammates David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane came together at a charity event during the weekend to launch a new campaign that aims to develop new soccer fields for urban communities in need across the USA.
Footprint Fields is a community outreach program supported by Adidas, MLS W.O.R.K.S., and Major League Soccer. This year, the program aims to build fields in communities in New York, Milwaukee, Seattle, California and Washington. The fields will all be state-of-the-art FieldTurf, a synthetic surface that is designed to replicate individual blades of natural grass.
“The ‘Footprint Fields’ program is designed to encourage soccer players of all levels and backgrounds to pick up a ball and join 10 friends on the field to play the beautiful game of soccer,” said Patrik Nilsson, Adidas America President. “From cleats and balls to uniforms and fields, providing the right equipment and infrastructure is an important way we can inspire and enable an American soccer nation.”
Beckham and Zidane celebrated the launch of the new program by making footprints in slabs of concrete, which will become part of the new fields. They also took time to meet young fans.
“I’m really excited to be back, and it’s a pleasure for [Zinedine and I] to be here” said Beckham. “Facilities like this give kids a chance to have a safe place to play and will help to grow the game in this country.”
“It’s nice to see the U.S. taking a bigger role in soccer,” added Zidane. “It was good to see the national team do so well in the FIFA Confederations Cup and to beat the Spanish. It proves that soccer in the U.S. is rising to another level. It’s also great to see Adidas take such a large role in helping to grow the sport of soccer in the United States.”
“Footprint Field” grant applications for 2010 will be made available on October 1, 2009 and managed by the U.S. Soccer Foundation. Click here for more information.
“It’s all about growing the game in this country,” said Beckham. “Kids can come down to these facilities and enjoy themselves, and that sends American soccer in the right direction.”
Copyright © 2009 Look to the Stars
