AFC Ann Arbor and Inter Detroit have entered into a landmark partnership to help further opportunities for minorities in soccer. Known as the most diverse team in Michigan with roots in the historic Southwest Detroit neighborhood, Inter Detroit has two men’s teams competing in the Midwest Premier League and Michigan Premier Soccer League, respectively.
A non-profit organization with an emphasis on positively impacting the community through youth engagement, the two organizations share core common values to help level the playing field for minorities in our state.
The partnership will focus on building a bridge between the two organizations in the aspects of business development, community building and sporting culture. Inter Detroit, like AFC Ann Arbor, is a labor of love, driven by founders Edwin Jimenez and Omar Trevizio. The two organizations have been meeting for the past few months and the partnership was a natural step for the clubs to take.
As part of this partnership, AFC Ann Arbor will be assisting Inter Detroit in sponsorship and other revenue related activities. A long time sponsor of Ann Arbor, Milk Means More, will be represented on the 2021 Inter Detroit kit as the title sponsor as the first deal between the clubs.
“Inter Detroit has always looked for new ways to grow our organization. It’s thrilling for us to have a sponsor of that size and calibur support us and we look forward to promoting local farming here in Michigan,” said Jimenez.
In addition to the sponsorship, Inter Detroit will be assisting AFC Ann Arbor’s flagship program, Community Kicks, at one of its largest and most successful locations in Southwest Detroit. Although the program will remain virtual for 2021, Inter will also help lead an expansion of the Community Kicks program into Pontiac.
Former AFC Ann Arbor goalkeeper, Tito Jimenez (2018), introduced the two organizations, suggesting that there were some shared values worth exploring. It became clear very quickly that the two clubs could accomplish a lot by working together, and thus began the conversations of building a holistic partnership.
“Two organizations that feel so deeply about diversity and equality in the sport of soccer, that simply want to level the playing field all while giving young athletes an opportunity to achieve their goals. We know that through our partnership we can make a collaborative effort to help our local communities and make real change to change the soccer landscape that is so flawed. We are really excited for what will come in the near future,” added Jimenez.