Sporting Stripes, presented by PNC Bank, Launches Pilot Program at St. Mark Center

This program is presented by PNC Bank, also a supporter of St. Mark Center.

Sporting Stripes, Sporting Kansas City’s beginner-based soccer program presented by PNC Bank for 2-5 year old boys and girls, launched this month at the St. Mark Child and Family Development Center.

“United Inner City Services is pleased to partner with PNC Bank and Sporting KC in providing the Sporting Stripes program to the children of St. Mark Center,” said Deidre Anderson, chief executive officer of UICS and the St. Mark Center. “Many of our children are living in neighborhoods with limited access to a soccer program or quality green space to play outdoors. Having the opportunity to expose our students to soccer, professional athletes and coaches, and caring people in this community is in natural alignment with our mission to ‘Build Bridges. Inspire Minds. Impact Futures.’”

Sporting Stripes, led by Sporting KC Youth Soccer, creates a safe and fun learning environment for children to become engaged with soccer at its foundation.

“The earlier that children are introduced to activities, the more likely they are to build upon these experiences later in their lives,” said Anderson. “Sporting Stripes just might be the entry for our children to make soccer their sport of choice. Young families live busy lives. The convenience of the program being offered at St. Mark Center, during the school day where students and families are met where they are, is outstanding.”

“The Sporting Stripes program teaches children the fundamentals of beginning soccer in addition to life’s greatest lessons of teamwork, building relationships and trust,” said Dale Klose, PNC Bank regional president for Kansas City. “Together our goal is to help every child reach their full potential.”

Sporting Stripes is also available at other local pre-school partners in the area and will offer upcoming summer sessions at The Soccer Lot and SportsPlex Olathe.

For questions and more information about Sporting Stripes, please contact Sporting KC Youth Programs Leader Tyler McManus at tmcmanus@sportingkc.com.

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For more information on Sporting Stripes, please visit sportingkcyouth.com/sportingstripes.

For more information on Sporting KC Youth Soccer please visit sportingkcyouth.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.