AYSA Receives the Largest Donation in History to Support Youth Soccer Players in Financial Need
Phoenix, Ariz., October 10, 2013 – Arizona Youth Soccer Association is thrilled to announce that the MaxInMotion® Foundation has awarded more than $160,000.00 in scholarship funding for the 2013-14 season. The funding will be used to support youth soccer players throughout Arizona in financial need.
This year, 722 applications for financial support were submitted. In the end, 465 players were approved to receive over $160,000.00 in scholarship funding. The athletes represent 29 member youth soccer clubs within the Arizona Youth Soccer Association. Coupled with the donation of over $100,000.00 last season, MaxInMotion® has now funded over $260,000.00 in two years. The next anticipated cycle will begin in June of 2014.
“MaxInMotion® is honored to continue its important partnership with AYSA. As the governing body of Arizona Youth Soccer, AYSA has joined with us to enable economically challenged players to participate in competitive soccer and build the core values that MaxInMotion® stands for: personal fitness, teamwork and community involvement. Max Shacknai would have been proud that an organization founded in his memory is able to assist so many talented young athletes,” said Jonah Shacknai, MaxInMotion Foundation President.
“Arizona Youth Soccer Association is extremely appreciative of our partnership with the MaxInMotion® Foundation. Their efforts to help break down the financial barriers associated with participating in competitive youth soccer for players in financial need are unsurpassed,” said Mark Thede, President of AYSA. “This year, the Foundation awarded the single-largest donation in AYSA history which will ensure that 465 players will receive much needed financial assistance so they can participate in the game they love!”
About MaxInMotion® Foundation:
Provides much needed financial assistance to youth sports programs for underprivileged children and for the development of programs to include special needs populations in youth sports activities. Further, research shows that participation in youth sports enhances community values, interdependency, and collective responsibility. Physical fitness prevents childhood obesity and has also been linked to reducing school dropout rates, teen pregnancy and high-risk behaviors, all of which pose tremendous consequences to our society.
MaxInMotion® has developed partnerships with other youth sports organizations including Coyotes Charities, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and Phoenix Suns Charities. Grant applications are being fulfilled by each organization for their respective youth sport. Like Arizona Youth Soccer Association, there are established cycles for application submission. Visit www.maxinmotion.org for more details.
MaxInMotion® was founded in memory of Max Shacknai, who embodied the ideal young athlete: passionate, hard working and incredibly committed to his teammates. To learn more, or to contribute, please visit: www.maxinmotion.org
About Arizona Youth Soccer Association:
Arizona Youth Soccer Association (AYSA) is a 501c(3) non-profit association. AYSA is the official youth soccer association of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer. AYSA represents 78 Member Leagues and Clubs comprising membership of more than 36,900 registered players, coaches, referees and league administrators. Servicing the entire state, AYSA provides rewarding recreational and competitive opportunities for Players of all ages, genders and skill levels. For more information, please visit: www.azyouthsoccer.org
Contact: Ron Gilmore, AYSA 602-433-9202