Fort Lauderdale Strikers Partner with United Way to Launch Youth Health, Fitness & Drug-Free Initiative
FORT LAUDERDALE – The Fort Lauderdale Strikers are partnering with the United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse to launch the team’s new after-school program dedicated to the shared vision of improving the health and fitness of school-age youth in South Florida, and to keeping them drug-free.
“Having the ability to use the platform of soccer to educate our community’s children about health, fitness and living drug-free is very important,” said Strikers Team President Tom Mulroy. “Being able to partner with an organization like the United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse (the “Commission”) will serve to ensure the program’s success and longevity, and I thank them for their support of the Strikers’ efforts.”
Known as the Strikers Health & Fitness Initiative Presented by the Commission, the program will center around soccer clinics conducted by the Strikers at Broward County schools. These clinics will include players, coaches and team staff and will serve to fulfill the Strikers’ and United Way’s shared mission of empowering our diverse community to live healthy and drug-free.
“This is an exciting partnership for us because we know moms, dads, children and teens need the support of organizations like the United Way and the Strikers to raise kids to make healthy lifestyle choices,” stated Pat Castillo, Vice President, United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse. “We will work with the Strikers to make sure parents and kids get the best preventative and educational information and support available,” Castillo added.
Soccer clinics led by the Strikers include time dedicated to both team and individual drills to improve each player’s skill level and a presentation led by the players and staff about the importance of making healthy choices. Clinics are concluded with an autograph and photo session to allow all the participants to meet the players individually.
