The Serie A League is not limited to providing excitement on Italian fields. With the “Serie A Football in the Community’ program, the organization is turning soccer into a tool for social change in North America by partnering with nonprofit organizations to support youth and families in need.
At the heart of this project is a partnership with Street Soccer USA, an organization that fights poverty through soccer in several cities across the United States. The partnership, renewed in 2025, has already led to concrete results, such as the opening of the Teddy van Beuren Street Soccer Park and Learning Center in the Bronx, New York. This space not only offers playgrounds accessible to all, but also houses a Digital Media Center, which educates young people in the conscious use of digital platforms and content creation.
The Serie A League is not stopping in the Bronx. In partnership with the Pulisic Stomping Grounds, the program came to Miami, where young people had the opportunity to train with elite Serie A coaches and learn the secrets of working in soccer, on and off the field. These formative moments are enriched by professional meetings featuring stars such as Alessandro Del Piero, a six-time Serie A champion and World Cup winner, who in 2024 offered Street Soccer USA youth an exclusive look at the world of professional soccer.
In the United States, youth soccer is often a privilege for the few because of the “pay-to-play” model. Street Soccer USA and Lega Serie A offer an alternative to millions of young people living below the poverty line, demonstrating that soccer can be a tool of inclusion and hope.
Standout among the top partnerships is the one with South Bronx United, which uses soccer to promote the education, health, and well-being of more than 1,700 young people each year. Lega Serie A contributes by organizing volunteer days, fundraising projects, and tailored professional meetings, involving experts in sports management, marketing, and media.
“The Serie A Soccer in the Community program is an example of how soccer can inspire and transform lives,” said Andy Mitchell, CEO of Lega Serie A USA. “We are proud to partner with organizations that share our values and vision.” Lawrence Cann, founder of Street Soccer USA, also praises the project’s impact: “Thanks to the support of Serie A, we have been able to take our message and initiatives to the next level, providing real opportunities to those who need it most.”
With the “Football in the Community” program, the Serie A League is proving that sports can go beyond mere entertainment, becoming a bridge to a more equitable future. From suburban playgrounds to multimedia classrooms, Italian soccer is leaving an indelible imprint on North American communities, proving that a ball really can change the world.
The article Lega Serie A: Football That Changes the World comes from TheNewyorker.
