SAN FRANCISCO, CA – City officials joined the U.S. Soccer Foundation and professional women’s soccer team Bay FC today to unveil a newly installed soccer mini-pitch at Crocker Amazon Playground, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department officials announced.
The new mini pitch, measuring 50 feet by 84 feet, is a customized, hard-court surface that transforms an underused area into a safe and accessible soccer space for children and adults to learn and play.
The mini pitch, including both materials and installation, were donated to the City through a partnership between the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Bay FC, and investment firm Sixth Street. Following its unveiling, Bay FC players Tess Boade and Maddie Moreau participated in a “First Kick” to commemorate the opening of the pitch followed by a clinic for the local youth.
"This mini-pitch is a product of strong partnerships. It represents what we can achieve when we come together. It's an investment in our kids, their future, and by extension, our future as a city. It will give many of our youngest San Franciscans a space to grow, learn, and thrive,” said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Thank you to Bay FC, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Sixth Street, and all our partners for making this day possible."
In addition to providing a convenient and cost-effective space for soccer, other advantages of a mini pitch include ADA accessible gates and sideline enhancements such as benches and lockable storage compartments that facilitate playing and watching.
The installation at Crocker Amazon Soccer Fields is part of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Safe Places to Play initiative, which aims to install 1,000 soccer mini-pitches throughout the country by 2026, ensuring that children in underserved communities have access to secure and reliable spaces for soccer. The mini-pitch is one of more than 750 the U.S. Soccer Foundation has created with partners across the country, on its path to opening 1,000 by the Men’s World Cup in 2026.
Crocker Amazon Playground is a sports complex that serves a diverse and vibrant community, including families, youth and student athletes from surrounding neighborhoods.
"This new mini-pitch will come to the southeast part of our city, in our District 11 that is so rich with children, youth, and families,” said Supervisor Chyanne Chen. “There is a tremendous unmet demand to expand recreational opportunities, and we are thrilled to collaborate.”
“We are so excited for this mini-pitch becoming a vibrant part of our community, especially for our young people and residents living in the southern part of the city,” said District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton. “Thank you Bay FC, Sixth Street Foundation, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation for investing in our neighborhoods and providing safe outdoor spaces where our kids, families, and adults can have fun. We look forward to building on this partnership to bring more joyful and inclusive spaces to all of our communities.”
“Thanks to Bay FC, Sixth Street Foundation, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Crocker Amazon Playground has been transformed into a space for outdoor play for both kids and adults—at no cost to the City. These kinds of partnerships and creative solutions ensure all San Franciscans can get outside and play,” said SF Rec and Park General Manager. “By positioning outdoor sports front and center, we’re kicking off the New Year right.”
Bay FC is the professional soccer team representing the Bay Area in the National Women’s Soccer League. The team recently closed its inaugural record-breaking season, securing the most regular season wins (11) of any expansion team in the league’s history. Later this year, Bay FC anticipates breaking ground on its new permanent training facility, located in Treasure Island.
“Continuing to find ways to provide access to sport and positively impacting our community is core to what we do at Bay FC,” said Bay FC CEO Brady Stewart. “We are looking forward to continuing to empower youth to get outside and be active, and this is one step in that direction. I want to thank our majority owners Sixth Street for their unwavering support for this vision, the U.S. Soccer Foundation for their partnership, and the City and County of San Francisco and San Francisco Recreation and Parks for allowing this great city to be the first.”
Young soccer players welcomed the new equipment.
“I am excited to have access to this mini pitch at Crocker Amazon,” said 10-year-old Bayview United player Brooklyn Wimberley. “It will provide another space for me and other players to improve our skills and become better soccer players.
The soccer mini-pitch is available for play on a first-come-first-serve basis during regular park hours.
For more information about Bay FC, visit bayfc.com.
Photos of the pitch here
B-roll of the event here
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