Inspirational Soccer Awards Launched by Trusted Sports Foundation
and Positive Coaching Alliance
Bend, OR – October 13, 2011 – Trusted Sports Foundation, in partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), aims to find America’s most inspirational youth and high school soccer players and welcomes PCA Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jim Thompson to the committee that will award a total of $25,000 in academic scholarships to the 12 most inspirational players nominated.
The Inspireum Soccer Awards are tapping into the fastest-growing team sport in the nation to find and celebrate stories of inspiration in communities throughout the U.S., honoring young athletes who embody the values of character, courage and contribution and who motivate others to excellence through their own actions.
“Positive Coaching Alliance is a terrific partner for us in that we both aim to highlight positive and inspirational experiences in the youth sports realm,” said John Ballantine, founder of Trusted Sports Foundation. “We hope that the stories shared through the awards will benefit kids and coaches in sports everywhere.”
Thompson joins a selection committee led by Steve Sampson, former coach of the U.S. Men’s National team and Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy, as well as other soccer notables, such as Jurgen Klinsmann, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team. “Through these awards, we hope to show young athletes that we value their character and ability to inspire as highly as we regard their athletic talent,” Sampson said. “We’re leveraging the power of soccer to motivate players, teams and communities to enable more youth to play so that no kids are left on the sidelines.”
Added Thompson: "At Positive Coaching Alliance, we believe in the power of outstanding student-athletes to set examples for others to emulate. We encourage the development of every student-athlete as a Triple-Impact Competitor® – striving to impact sport on three levels by improving oneself, teammates and the game as a whole – so I am proud to serve on the selection committee for the Inspireum Soccer Awards. I look forward to learning more about the youth athletes whose stories are at the heart of this inspirational program.”
America can nominate the most inspirational athlete in their community online through November 9th at www.InspireumSoccerAwards.com. Images and video can also be uploaded, and are encouraged. Online voting commenced October 6th and continues after the Top 50 semifinalists are announced on November 17th.
The Top 12 finalists are chosen on December 13th and the winner, three runners-up and two fan favorites will be announced on January 3, 2012. The winner will receive their scholarship and award at the NSCAA Convention in Kansas City on January 14th.
About Trusted Sports Foundation Trusted Sports Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on inspiring kids to thrive in life through sports. Our goal is to empower underserved youth to live up to their full potential through positive sports experiences that form active, healthy habits for a lifetime. Through our national inspirational youth sports awards programs, we reward perseverance, character and leadership with academic scholarships for athletes who inspire their teams, schools, and communities. Our Kids In The Game giving program connects donors with youth sports programs in need of support, creating more opportunities for low-income, underserved youth to play sports.
About Positive Coaching Alliance
Positive Coaching Alliance is a national non-profit committed to providing all youth and high school athletes with a positive, character-building experience. Since its 1998 launch at Stanford University by Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jim Thompson, PCA has impacted more than 4 million youth athletes. PCA reaches youth and high school sport leaders, coaches, athletes, parents, and officials through live workshops, online courses, published books and articles, and a series of alliances with nationally-recognized coaches, athletes, academicians, businesses and national youth sports organizations.
For information: www.InspireumSoccerAwards.com
Trusted Sports Contact: sandy@inspireum.com
Phone: (541) 848 9509
Positive Coaching Alliance Contact: david_jacobson@positivecoach.org
Phone: (650) 210 0808