Youth Soccer Month – Celebrating Soccer in America, an annual celebration of the United States’ leading youth participation sport each September, is pleased to announce Kristine Lilly, a mainstay in the midfield of the US Women’s National Team, as official spokesperson for 2004.
“I am really proud to be part of Youth Soccer Month. Soccer has always been a part of my life and has given me so much,” said Lilly. “Soccer has shown me how to work with others, be a leader, have fun, and to push myself and be the best player and person I can be. My favorite part of the game will always be the orange slices at half time, though."
Lilly, a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion (1991, 99) is the first soccer player – male or female – to accrue more than 250 international appearances. Additionally, she has won Olympic gold and silver medals (1996, 2000) and is the third all-time leading scorer in US Soccer history.
Lilly began her soccer career in her hometown of Wilton, CT, where she played on a boys’ youth team, because no girls league existed at the time, before moving on to the University of North Carolina, where she was a four-time NCAA champion and All-American.
“As the number one youth participation sport in America, soccer is a leading contributor to the healthy lifestyle of millions of American families,” stated David Messersmith, President of US Youth Soccer. “We’re very happy to have Kristine, one of our most prominent alumni, support such a worthwhile program.”
Recognizing the impact and importance the sport of soccer plays in the day-to-day lives of America’s families, US Youth Soccer, with 3.2 million members, the nation’s largest youth sports association, is spearheading the second annual Youth Soccer Month – Celebrating Soccer in America, this September.
Throughout Youth Soccer Month a series of messages and themes will be communicated to illustrate the essence of youth soccer. Each week during Youth Soccer Month a different “pillar” will be the focus of “Celebrating Soccer in America,” a series of national and grassroots events.
The four “pillars” of Youth Soccer Month are:
· Fitness: The health and fitness (physical, psychological and social) benefits of playing soccer.
· Friendship: The relationships and fun generated through playing soccer and their extension beyond the field.
· Family: Playing soccer ties families together as schedules, vacations and family time are coordinated.
· Fun: Whether recreational or competitive in nature, involvement in soccer is easy, affordable and rewarding.
Youth Soccer Month will also highlight the various programs available to children interested in participating in soccer, including the inner-city, special needs, recreational and elite soccer programs that have facilitated the growth of the sport at all levels.
###
About US Youth Soccer - US Youth Soccer-The Game for ALL Kids!® is the largest youth sports organization in the nation and member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3.2 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, in 55 member state associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.
