Community Kicks has announced its new model of feeding the state of Michigan. In addition to its summer feeding plan, the move for soccer instruction by community coaches has moved from in-person clinics to online instructional videos. The AFC Ann Arbor family links are deep as nine of the twelve coaches have suited up for The Mighty Oak, representing six different countries.
The coaches include current professional members of the Ann Arbor, and state of Michigan, community, including Joseph Stanley Okumu (IF Elfsborg, Sweden), Brandon Bye (New England Revolution, MLS), Bethany Balcer (OL Reign, NWSL), and Azaad Liadi (FC Tucson, USL League One) along with players whose most recent stop was in Ann Arbor, like Emily Eitzman, Andrea Garcia, Tara Arlin, and Stephen Turnbull.
The players will be focusing on a basic skill of the sport each week and the coaches will lead those interested in learning soccer skills through various drills. For most participants, this will be their first exposure to the beautiful game.
For those who have signed on to assist in the coaching, this is an opportunity to give back to a community that they have a deep connection and love for.
Azaad Liadi is from Sterling Heights, Michigan, and spent the 2018 season with AFCAA. Despite moving out to Tucson, the AFCAA family is still firmly in his heart and he notes that he felt prepared for that professional jump. He would state, “The season I was there, the coaching staff consisted of [Eric] Rudland, Boyzzz, [Jeff] Shuk, and Rod [Asllani] – across the board it was ran like a pro club in every session, in every aspect.”
On being approached to join Community Kicks, Liadi said, “I couldn’t say yes fast enough! Having a chance to give back to kids in communities that are in my backyard is super special for me.” That tie to AFCAA will always continue for Liadi as he said, “It’s truly a family across the board, and it’s a family for a lifetime.”
Even players not originally from Michigan have immediately taken to Community Kicks. Stephen Turnbull, New York native, said, “Although I am not from Michigan and I never had been there before playing for AFC Ann Arbor, the people were so welcoming and kind, so it makes me want to give that same energy in return.”
Turnbull noted that he will miss being able to interact with the kids in person at clinics, but emphasized his happiness about the new format and how he will still be able to impact lives in a positive way, before adding, “I am very lucky to have the opportunity to be a part of such a great organization.”
Plenty of coaches are no stranger to the program as well. Tara Arlin attended every Community Kicks event throughout the course of the 2019 season, so for her, this virtual format was a no-brainer to participate in. “I think Community Kicks is an amazing program with wonderful people who truly do want to find ways to give back to the kids and families around us,” she said. “The smiles and laughs you see while coaching the kids was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had.”
Arlin would add, “To Bilal [Saeed] and all the Community Kicks coaches, I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to be a part of these kids lives.”
Many more familiar faces from in-person events will be participating as well. Andrea Garcia, a native of Canada, said, “When I was with AFCAA last summer, I never experienced a dull moment. We did a lot of community work including visiting schools and seeing the students' faces light up really made me want to continue helping kids.”
Garcia would also note her excitement about the format for this year and its availability to anyone online. “Being able to guide, and teach, the youth through soccer is such an effective and fun way that every kid enjoys doing so much,” she would add. “It’s different this year, but I am so happy the program has found a way to continue its outreach.”
Emily Eitzman, who is actively involved in not just Community Kicks, AFC Ann Arbor, but also as a board member of The Mighty Oak Youth Project, “Being involved with TMOYP and Community Kicks is both humbling and empowering, because giving back to my community and others is a priority of mine.” She would also add, “There are so many ways to positively impact the world, and I want to engage in as many of these as possible.”
As a graduating high school senior, Eitzman was familiar with having activities being cancelled as a result of the world situation, however she remains focused on the communal perspective, saying, “While we cannot work in person, we are going to help as many as we can online. We strive to excite and inspire kids who love the game of soccer as well as health and fitness and make a difference.”
About AFC Ann Arbor
Association Football Club Ann Arbor is an elite amateur soccer club owned and operated by a diverse group of entrepreneurs, soccer fans and sports professionals. Originally founded in 2014 by Jamey Amrine, the club now operates through its board of directors and a group of dedicated volunteers. We are driven to make an impact in our community, with an emphasis on creating opportunity for our players all while focusing on building the AFC Ann Arbor family.
About Community Kicks
The United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Lindsay Tarpley and AFC Ann Arbor teamed up in 2018 to create 'Community Kicks,' clinics which offer youngsters a chance to learn 4 basic soccer skills, 4 basic nutrition tenets and 4 life-skill qualities. The mission of Community Kicks: To positively impact the youth in under resourced communities by introducing them to basic soccer, nutrition and life-skills.
About Milk Means More
Milk Means More is part of the United Dairy Industry of Michigan. The United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) is the umbrella organization for the Dairy Council of Michigan and the American Dairy Association of Michigan, dedicated to serving Michigan’s hard-working dairy farm families.
About Lindsay Tarpley
As a board member for US Soccer’s Athlete Council, Lindsay Tarpley remains very active within the sport she once represented her country for. Tarpley helped launch Community Kicks and continues to advocate for kids to gain access to the sport in addition to her efforts to promote gender equality within the game. Tarpley has continued her success as an Olympian to her current life as a mom of two amazing kids, a successful business woman and promoter of the beautiful game and equality.