2022
Annual
Report
The Story of ASA
Tommy Park
Executive Director
Executive Letter
The past year was filled with growth, celebration, strategic planning and of course, thousands of hours of play for youth and adults in the community! As I think back over the past twelve months I am in awe of our team’s accomplishments and excited for what the future holds.
We kicked off 2022, reflecting on our 50th anniversary by hosting the “Golden Gala,” where we honored current ASA participants and programs, and took a trip through the past five decades. It was a joyous occasion where community members, partners, city officials, soccer parents, coaches and staff came together to support and recognize the role that ASA plays in our community.
In addition to a look back, our team, along with community stakeholders and the ASA board of directors, wrapped up a year-long strategic planning process with the unveiling of our new mission and vision. This process was incredibly energizing and I am excited about what the future holds as we embrace this direction and focus. I believe that the opportunity (and our commitment) to grow and adapt in our ever-changing world sets ASA on a path for success as we continue to find new ways to support children and families.
I am particularly proud of our strong grassroots advocacy that helped make soccer accessible to more kids than ever before. We hosted free after school programming at nine schools, for hundreds of students. We reached new communities by expanding our programming to Francis C. Hammond Middle School and Bren Mar Park Elementary, a Fairfax County Public School. I am grateful to the amazing school staff and administrators who partner with us each year to bring soccer and futsal programming to their students.
We wrapped up 2022 by installing outdoor “sport court” on top of the turf playing surface at Brenman Soccer Field. This innovative adjustment created four outdoor futsal courts for our winter futsal programming to utilize throughout the winter. I mention this because I believe it’s indicative of the creativity, adaptability and focus of our team and our commitment to evolve. With a goal of ensuring children have access to safe and quality programming, we are ready and excited for 2023 and beyond!
MIssion, Vision, Values
MISSION
Connect and engage the community through high quality, accessible, sports programs that positively impact Alexandria.
VISion
Be a leading community organization that empowers participants to achieve their greatest potential.
VALUES
We engage the Alexandria community
We are accountable
We evolve
We prioritize health & safety
ASA was founded in 1970 with 60 boys and girls participating throughout the city. Several dads placed an ad in the local newspaper with information about a new soccer program and the rest is history.
In March we honored 50 years of ASA with the Golden Gala, an evening of camaraderie, fun, and celebration at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town, Alexandria. With more than 300 people in attendance we highlighted ASA’s growth and development over the past five decades, celebrated our Access4All program which provides free soccer programming, and honored two extraordinary students with the “Griffin Award.”
The Griffin Award is given to youth participants who show initiative, go above and beyond, and embody the spirit of community involvement and giving back. This year’s recipients were Ellie Goodrich and Jeffrey Aguilar Reyes.
Griffin Award
Ellie began playing in the ASA Recreational League when she was four years old. Over the past decade she has participated in and coached for almost every program ASA offers. Ellie has committed to ODU to play soccer.
Jeffrey began playing in the ASA Recreational League when he was five years old. He has traveled from California to Barcelona to New Jersey and beyond competing on ASA teams. Jeffery has committed to JMU to play soccer.
I started playing for ASA in 1970 and was active until 1975. My coach for ASA was Coach Vinci from Italy, who coached all of my seasons. His passion and coaching style convinced me that soccer is the sport I wanted to continue as long as possible. He even convinced my Mom to coach and be involved with ASA, (she coached the Women Libbers).
Coach Vinci was truly a one-of-a-kind coach dedicating his time, knowledge, and style of play to our team. Once I left the DMV area I knew from that point on I wanted to continue to play and one day I'd give back to the community and teach players the dedication, preparation, and attention to detail that Coach Vinci showed us. I was fortunate enough to eventually go on and play in college and then later coached a local girls travel team, ultimately ranked fourteenth in the state.
The bond of friends I made over those five years with ASA were amazing and to this day I keep in touch with my former neighbor Bobby Schotta who was the midfielder on our team - he fed me so many assists. Thanks Bobby!
Tim Phelps
ASA participant 1970-1975
Programs
ASA offers thirteen different programs for kids ages two, through adult! Programming operates year round with opportunities for soccer, futsal, summer camps, and international trips. In addition to our core programming, our Access4All Program offers free After School Leagues for kids at Alexandria City Public Schools.
Over the past decade ASA has adapted and grown to continuously serve our community’s needs and provide safe and fun programming. It is our goal to keep every participant active and healthy and help ensure Alexandria is a thriving community.
We can’t wait to see what the next 50 years hold! We look forward to supporting our community, coaching soccer and futsal, cheering on our participants as they grow and succeed, and ensuring that every child and adult gets the opportunity to play and enjoy the beautiful game.
13 programs
6500 participants in
core programs
850 students in Access4All
programming
20,000 participants in six
tournament weekends
310 volunteer Rec League coaches
250+ contracted referees, coaches and counselors, and 65+ part-time professional coaches
II am a Reading Specialist that works with the English Learners at George Washington Middle School. At the height of the pandemic during virtual learning, when so many of my neediest students were isolated at home and disconnected from their peers and their favorite activities, ASA came through and helped create a program right in their neighborhood where students could walk over, have some fun and take a little break from a very stressful time in all of our lives. Since then, the program has gotten stronger and been able to serve more and more of our young people, in a safe, supportive environment.
After returning to school for in-person learning, we moved the program to the fields at the school and we just finished our fourth successful season. Students can simply walk outside after class to play (Croc shoes and crop tops welcome!) and take a late bus home, thus eliminating nearly all of the barriers to participation. We have tons of participants across three grades each week of all skill and resource levels. ASA and the team of coaches have been nothing short of amazing. They are there waiting for the kids before every session with the fields and equipment ready to go. They've learned their names and personalities, coach and play alongside them, and have truly built lasting relationships with these young players. Many of these kids have nowhere else to play, or even to hang out, and the sessions have provided a wonderful space to this community. The question I get asked the most when I'm at work has nothing to do with my job but is rather, "Is there soccer today?"
Allyson Noble
- Hosted free After School Leagues for 850 students at nine schools
- Brought soccer and futsal to hundreds of elementary students at schools during “gym class takeovers”
- Provided $750,000 of scholarship support to participants in core programming (Rec, Academy, Futsal ID, etc)
contact me
Mailing Address
123 Anywhere St., Any City, Any State
Email Address
hello@reallygreatsite.com
Phone Number
(123) 456 7890