Girls Soccer on the Rise!

As part of our newly completed strategic planing process, the Philadelphia Youth Organization and Anderson Monarchs have committed to investing in programs for girls ages 5-18. We recognize that there is a shortage of team sports opportunities for girls in Philadelphia, especially girls from low-income communities.

The benefits of team sport participation for girls are numerous: improved academic and career outcomes; better confidence, self-image, and health; reduced teen pregnancy and school dropout rates. Sports can make a huge difference in the lives of girls. For more info visit the Women’s Sport Foundation’s Web Site.

This fall we launched our first girls-only program. Our Girls Developmental Soccer League is a FREE, weekly league for girls ages 5-8. With almost 30 girls participating, we’re off to a great start and are seeing great improvement in skill, attitude, and effort each week. Come join us Wednesdays at 6PM through November 14 to cheer on the leaders of tomorrow!

April 2018: Spring Cleaning at Anderson Yards

Everyone knows that the Monarchs' home field, Anderson Yards, is the nicest ballpark in the city. Youth teams from across the city and region relish the opportunity to come to South Philly to play the Monarchs, and we receive amazing feedback from visiting players, coaches, and parents. 

The vast majority of the credit for the field's appeal goes to Steve Bandura, who spends upwards of eight hours a week raking and pounding dirt, cutting and watering grass, painting bases, laying down chalk lines, and generally tending to every last detail that separates Anderson Yards from your run-of-the-mill youth field.

Each season before opening day, though, the entire Monarchs family shows up to help Steve get the field ready for the season. This year our annual field prep day coincided with the City of Philadelphia's Spring Cleaning on April 14th. Over the course of the day more than 60 Monarchs players and parents got their hands dirty on the field and adjacent playground, joining up with neighbors and other community groups to make the recreation center shine. 

Thanks to all the players and families who showed up to clean up!

March 2018: Coaches Training Series

On February 16th we held our first Coaches Training of 2018. Thirteen coaches gathered to learn about the science and research behind the Sports Based Youth Development movement, and to discuss the power of building a positive team culture. The session was facilitated by Mariana Folco from Up2Us Sports, and each coach walked out with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to the work we do.

Our Training Series resumes on March 9th. In total we have four sessions scheduled before the beginning of baseball season, with a focus on building technical skills and promoting positive youth development. Training will be provided by highly-regarded coaches and youth development experts such as Steve Bandura of the Monarchs, Joe Parisi of LaSalle College High School, and more.