Promoting Peace with Soccer
Adult players break out after a successful soccer session at KSC’s Friday Night Lights.
KENSINGTON, Pa. — Friday Night Lights, a free evening pickup soccer program at Phield House Sports Complex and organized by Kensington Soccer Club as part of our larger Pick-Up Soccer for Peace program, came to its end on September 23 after eight weeks of friendly competition between community members.
Supported by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Violence Prevention and their Targeted Community Investment Grant, Friday Night Lights primarily focused on building community, promoting peace, and connecting people with resources.
Teen and Adult Programs Director Jakeema Burton states that an average of 25-45 community members, of all genders, ages and ability levels, would come out each week to gather around the ball and have some fun together. The program gave people an opportunity to learn about community resources they could use and life skills that they could take home with them.
“[Friday Night Lights] gave people an outlet to express themselves,” Burton said when asked about the program’s importance. “It helped the young adults with conflict resolution and gave them something positive to do on a Friday night.”
In addition to providing teens and young adults an environment to play safely, the program also welcomed older players and KSC alumni who were looking to get back into playing soccer in a relaxed setting.
“It was amazing to see people, who we haven’t seen in years since they were kids, come out and play.” Burton said.
Friday Night Lights provided a space for people to relieve themselves of the stress from the week, which Burton believes was contributing to KSC’s mission of violence prevention through soccer.
“Less stress equals less tension equals [a player] is more likely to think before they act.” Burton said.