This month, 28 participants from Manchester City’s US community projects came together in New York at the Young Leaders Summit to develop their leadership and coaching skills, share experiences and explore the role football can play in driving positive change.
The Summit provided an opportunity for participants to learn from Manchester City coaches, collaborate with fellow Young Leaders from across the country and develop new ideas to take back to their communities.
Now, they return to their communities ready to put those skills into practice, using the power of football to promote healthier lives and create positive opportunities for young people.
Meet some of the Young Leaders making an impact across the US.
Atlanta - Maryam
Maryam, a Young Leader from Atlanta, is using football to create opportunities for the next generation in the community that shaped her.
A first-generation Somali American and student, Maryam developed a passion for the game through her father, who experienced first-hand how football can open doors and bring people together.
After facing her own barriers to participation, she now coaches with Soccer in the Streets, helping young people build confidence and a sense of belonging through football.
Through her work, Maryam hopes to make football more accessible and inclusive, while inspiring more young people from diverse backgrounds to see a future for themselves in sport.
CHICAGO – Matt
Matt from Chicago is using football to create positive experiences for young people through coaching and mentorship.
A first-generation Mexican American, Matt has been involved in football since the age of four.
Inspired by a coach who helped him rediscover his confidence and enjoyment of football, Matt now brings that same approach to his own coaching at Haas Park, focusing on encouragement and making football fun for every participant.
After attending the Young Leaders Summit in Atlanta last year, Matt gained valuable insights from experienced coaches and fellow Young Leaders from across the country, helping him build confidence and further develop his skills as a community leader.
Today, he continues to use football to support, motivate and inspire young people in his community.
DALLAS – Oscar
Oscar from Dallas has dedicated his career to helping young people experience the positive impact of sport.
After beginning boxing at the age of seven, he went on to achieve his childhood dream of competing professionally, including fighting at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Today, Oscar brings the same passion and discipline to coaching football with the Puede Network, where he has been involved since the charity was founded, supporting young athletes and their families.
As the father of a son with autism, Oscar is particularly passionate about creating inclusive environments where every child feels supported and able to participate.
LA – Alex
Alex from Los Angeles is using football to create opportunities for young women while building communities through the game.
Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Alex played collegiate football after moving to Los Angeles, where a passion for the game led to opportunities in coaching, photography and community-focused work.
Alongside working with organisations supporting people experiencing homelessness, Alex developed her skills through charity organisation Football For Her as a coach and content creator, helping to grow the women’s game and connect more people to football.
Alex now coaches a semi-professional women’s team and works with clubs and organisations across Los Angeles, using football as a platform to build confidence and inspire the next generation of female players.
Her long-term ambition is to establish a non-profit organisation that helps young women access the same opportunities and support that football has provided throughout her own journey.
NEW YORK - George
George from New York has been an active participant in Manchester City’s Young Leader programme, using football to support young people in his local community. Growing up in the Bronx, his love for the game began by watching football with his father before going on to play club soccer from a young age.
George discovered a passion for working with children while serving as an after-school counsellor and was later introduced to City in the Community New York, where he completed Young Leader training delivered by Manchester City coaches before becoming a coach himself.
After attending the Young Leaders Summit and training sessions with City coaches last year, George returned this summer to continue developing his skills, learning from others and bringing new ideas back to the young people he supports through football.
MEET THE YOUNG LEADERS MAKING AN IMPACT BELOW!
