FDR Park Plan could level the playing field in Philly’s youth soccer

“We need something like this in Philly.” A parent gestured at the soccer field in front of us, where a team full of 11- and 12-year-olds from South Philadelphia had just finished playing. “Can you imagine what we could do with facilities like this?”

The field in question was a beautiful synthetic turf pitch in Montgomery County, part of a large complex of athletic fields built by the local municipality. On this November weekend, our team, the Anderson Monarchs, was in the midst of a brilliant four-game run, winning a highly competitive tournament against teams from across the Philly suburbs. As is often the case, we were the only city-based club in the competition. As is always the case, we were the only team made up primarily of Black youth.

Youth soccer in the United States is shamefully segregated by race and class. The “pay to play” model that dominates the sport’s youth system makes it financially, culturally, and physically inaccessible for many Black, brown, and low-income families. Once sports were a meritocracy. Now, far too often, they serve as another vehicle to reinforce social inequalities.

Our players with the Anderson Monarchs are keenly aware of these inequalities. They travel across the region to compete against teams from well-resourced communities. They see the pristinely maintained recreation centers and newly constructed elementary schools. They observe the subtle and not-so-subtle gestures and comments that make them feel like visitors or even unwelcome guests.

More than anything, they notice the soccer fields. Fields everywhere. Fields without puddles, rocks, tire tracks, or broken bottles. Fields that make players feel like someone cares about them. Fields unlike anything in Philadelphia.

“Youth soccer in the United States is shamefully segregated by race and class.”

Our players and families are used to making do with what we’ve got. From practicing on a dirt patch in Germantown or the outfield of a baseball field in South Philly to cramming three teams into half a field because we only have the space for 90 minutes a week, we find ways to make it work. Carpooling, clearing trash from fields before practices, lining fields, putting up goals, and wrapping sprained ankles on fields full of divots — our parents and coaches do it all, and they do it well.

This fall, the Anderson Monarchs will have six teams navigating the region for practices and games. Once again, our teams will not have a home field for games, as there simply aren’t enough safe, regulation-sized fields in the city for our program, let alone the dozens of other grassroots, community-driven clubs like ours that call Philadelphia home.

This lack of serviceable fields is why we are so passionate in our support of the proposed plan to build 12 new athletic fields at FDR Park. This proposal is part of the FDR Park Plan, a meticulously crafted project that solicited the views and opinions of thousands of park users and dozens of community groups. One clear takeaway was that this city needs more places to play and that FDR Park is an ideal location for multiple fields that can support soccer and other sports.

The Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation has developed a plan to drive revenue that will fund the maintenance and management of these fields while prioritizing local users. It has pledged to partner with youth and community-based clubs to ensure that these fields are being utilized in a manner that promotes equity and belonging. Creating a large recreation area that is accessible by public transportation will play a key role in increasing access to youth sports in our city.

» READ MORE: Philly kids need more places to play | Opinion

We can imagine the changes these fields will bring. Multiple age groups practicing in the same place at the same time, with older players mentoring younger ones while developing leadership and communication skills. College exposure camps filled with Philadelphia public school athletes showcasing their talents for coaches. Suburban teams coming into Philly to spend time and money while experiencing the vibrant rhythms of FDR Park on a spring Saturday. Teams from neighborhoods across the city competing and connecting in a neutral, safe space.

There are very few places in this city where youth and families of all backgrounds can share experiences, build commonalities, and gain empathy for one another. Sports can be that place. FDR Park can be that place.

The FDR Park Plan presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest not just in public spaces, but in citizens themselves. We urge the Department of Parks and Recreation, City Council, and the Mayor’s Office to stay the course on this well-crafted public project. We need something like this in Philly.

Rob Badgett and Nicole Brown are parents and coaches in the Anderson Monarchs youth sports program. Amos Huron is the organization’s executive director and a former coach.