SEATTLE - Hispanic and Latino kids all over the United States will have a chance at making their dreams a reality this summer, as a new partnership between LALIGA, one of the most important soccer leagues in the world, and McDonald's USA, will join forces to bring a world-class experience to this side of the Atlantic.
This partnership is focused on bridging the accessibility gap in deprived communities around the country by offering a platform for talent development to the next generation of Latino and Hispanic soccer players. The McDonald's x LALIGA Soccer Camps will be free, offering kids a world-class experience that will immerse them in LALIGA's soccer methodology as they "engage in tactical and cognitive drills, develop technical and coordination skills, perform physical fitness exercises, and gain psychological and socio-affective tools for their development in soccer."
In just two years since the launch of LALIGA Camps, the Spanish league has reached communities all around the globe including the United Kingdom, Japan, South Africa, Peru, Argentina and the United States. In the two years of LALIGA Camps, more than 20,000 boys and girls of all sorts of age groups have passed through the camps.
McDonald's x LALIGA Soccer Camps Schedule
- Miami, FL - June 17 - 21, 2024.
- Orange County, CA - July 8 - 12, 2024.
- Hartford, CT - July 15 - 19, 2024.
- Dallas, TX - June 22 - 26, 2024.
- Chicago, IL - July 29 - August 2, 2024.
- Union City, NJ - August 5 - 9, 2024.
Across the week-long camps, boys and girls will be able to train with professional LALIGA coaches at no cost but only 12 talented participants will be selected for an incredible experience in Spain where they will train and compete with LALIGA Academy teams as well as visiting stadiums around the league and they will even have the unforgettable chance of watching a LALIGA game live.
"Through the McDonald's x LALIGA Soccer Camps, we're not just building better players; we're opening doors for Latino and Hispanic youth who dream of playing soccer and face barriers due to high costs," said Max Gallegos, Head of U.S. Multicultural Marketing Strategy & Engagement at McDonald's USA. "Our free camps empower young talents to follow their passion and make a positive impact in their communities through the beautiful game," Gallegos added.
This new partnership will offer opportunities to those kids that simply cannot afford to play the sport they love in a country known for its pay-to-play model in youth soccer. Costs not only include registration fees, but often also uniforms, equipment, travel expenses, and much more. According to a Time report in 2017, the average family paid $1,472 for their child to play youth soccer with a maximum of $5,500 per year.
On top of the once in a lifetime experience, families and community members will also be invited to attend a Fan Fest on the last day of each camp, where they will be able to enjoy interactive soccer and training zones and meet LALIGA legends such as Diego Forlán and Javier Mascherano.
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