July 31 – The Premier League and EA Sports have teamed up with the US Soccer Foundation to build a state-of-the-art mini pitch in their latest effort to provide community access to football.
The pitch, which has donned the name ‘Kearny Futures Field’ and is based at Washington Elementary School in Kearny, New Jersey, was co-funded by the Premier League and EA Sports and marks the first collaborative pitch between the two in North America. The pitch’s hard surface was customised by local artist Demit Omphroy and revealed ahead of the PL Summer Series clash between Brighton and Newcastle United at the Red Bull Arena on Friday night.
This mini-pitch is one of more than 600 that the U.S. Soccer Foundation has installed since 2015, with plans to install 1,000 mini-pitches by the World Cup 2026.
The Kearny Futures Field embodies the first of a wide-ranging programme that underlines the Premier League and EA Sport’s “long-term commitment to provide community access to soccer across the globe”.
“When it comes to soccer, there are few places more special than Kearny, New Jersey – the birthplace of American soccer,” said Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey.
“Soccer builds community, breaks down barriers, and forges relationships across cultural and geographic bounds. I am grateful to our partners – the Premier League, EA Sports, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Kearny School District – for their help in building this mini-pitch and creating a lasting legacy for our communities to enjoy.”
The EA Sports FC Futures Initiative has also pledged to build a publicly-accessible library of training practices, available in six different languages, which is set to be available later this year. Furthermore, the initiative has extended plans to support the creation and refurbishment of pitches following their funding of a state-of-the-art 3G pitch at Turnham Academy, London, earlier this year. They also intend to invest heavily in grassroots facilities in an effort to reach their longstanding goal of providing community access to more people.
“We’re already making an impact on community soccer around the world through EA SPORTS FC FUTURES, and we’re thrilled to work with partners like the Premier League and the US Soccer Foundation to now expand that to the United States,” said Cam Weber, President of EA SPORTS.
“Youth soccer has such a strong presence in the U.S., and we’re committed to ensuring that players around the world have the opportunity to grow their love of the sport on the pitch.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734920040labto1734920040ofdlr1734920040owedi1734920040sni@o1734920040fni1734920040