June 4, 2012
The West Broad Street YMCA recently completed its first soccer league with the under 12 girls and boys teams both placing second.
“This was a great season,” said Jude Akpolo coach. “The kids really worked hard and learned a lot from the process. I am incredibly proud of them.
At a ceremony held today, the students each received medals and awards for their hard work.
“This would not have been possible without some great community partners and volunteer coaches,” said Peter Doliber Executive Director. “Seacrest Partners, HunterMaclean, Trident Sustainability, Matt McCoy, Savannah Hilton Head Youth Soccer Association, and Coastal Georgia Soccer Association all contributed financially to the league. In addition Melanie Casner, Jessica Pedigo, Colin McRae, Luke Penney, and Carson Bacon all volunteered their coaching time with the kids. That really helped our staff, Jude Akpolo, Tim Norton, and Aziza West. Without this help we never could have pulled it off.”
For most of these kids it was the first time they had played soccer or an organized sport of any kind. The smiles were wide and the cheering loud as each of the players was recognized for a job well done.
The West Broad Street YMCA is Savannah’s Downtown Y. Started in 1942 to serve Black solders denied USO services during segregation, it now has grown to provide a full range of services for all residents of Savannah. Its primary focus of mission outreach, supported by donations such as these as well as other programming and membership, is to help the residents of its immediate neighborhood end generational poverty. Located between Kayton and Frazier Public Housing Neighborhoods, there are over 1000 people, over 500 of whom are children under 18, whose annual median income is $8,200. The West Broad Street YMCA provides programming to aid these families in education and personal development.
