25 new soccer mini-pitches coming to Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Twenty-five new soccer mini-pitches will be installed at Miami-Dade County Public Schools as part of a broader initiative aimed at expanding youth sports programming and increasing access to recreational spaces for children across the county. The effort is part of the Miami-Dade Soccer Initiative, a collaborative and philanthropic campaign to build 50 mini-pitches countywide while […] The post 25 new soccer mini-pitches coming to Miami-Dade County Public Schools appeared first on CNW Network.
Black News 
Twenty-five new soccer mini-pitches will be installed at Miami-Dade County Public Schools as part of a broader initiative aimed at expanding youth sports programming and increasing access to recreational spaces for children across the county.
The effort is part of the Miami-Dade Soccer Initiative, a collaborative and philanthropic campaign to build 50 mini-pitches countywide while expanding structured soccer programming at each location.
A new mini-pitch at Oak Grove Elementary in Northeast Miami-Dade is scheduled to officially open on Wednesday, April 1, marking one of the first installations under the initiative. The project is being led by the U.S. Soccer Foundation in partnership with Griffin Catalyst, The Children’s Trust, the Miami World Cup 2026 Host Committee, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
Organizers say the mini-pitches will host evidence-based soccer programs designed to increase opportunities for children living in under-resourced communities to participate in organized sports and benefit from physical activity and mentorship.
The initiative is supported by a $5 million donation from Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst. The funding will support the development of 50 mini-pitches across Miami-Dade County.
Research from North Carolina State University indicates that more than 6.5 million young people nationwide live within a 10-minute walk of a U.S. Soccer Foundation mini-pitch. On average, each site hosts approximately nine hours of programming and 43 hours of open play weekly.
Local leaders and education officials are expected to attend the Oak Grove Elementary opening, including Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, School Board Member Dr. Steve Gallon III, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres, U.S. Soccer Foundation President and CEO Ed Foster-Simeon, The Children’s Trust President and CEO James Haj, FIFA World Cup 26 Miami Host Committee Co-Chair Rodney Barreto, President and CEO Alina Hudak, and Griffin Catalyst Director of Philanthropy Julia Quinn.
The broader initiative aims to expand youth programming across Miami-Dade while creating safe spaces for recreation, physical activity, and community engagement as the region prepares to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The post 25 new soccer mini-pitches coming to Miami-Dade County Public Schools appeared first on CNW Network.
