We want Chattanooga to be recognized as a global resource for soccer. Programs being developed by the Foundation are designed to serve communities well beyond our city. We want to create a blueprint for other communities and continue paying it forward.
Kids watch as players perform practice drills during a Chattanooga Sports Ministry event. Operation Get Active is partnering with CSM, in affiliation with the Chattanooga Football Club, to help expand soccer options for local youth.A lot of Chattanooga-area kids are going to get the opportunity to get more active and learn a new sport this spring, or at least that’s the hope of Peter Woolcock, director of Operation Get Active. OGA is a new children’s health and recreation initiative under the Chattanooga Sports Ministries banner that is also partnering with the Chattanooga Football Club.
“We’re going to use soccer to encourage kids to get more active and lead more healthy lifestyles,” Woolcock said. “I’ve noticed that there aren’t enough opportunities for physical activity for kids, and so we’re going to be working primarily with city recreation centers, and hopefully elementary schools and private community centers.”
Woolcock, who has worked with volunteer efforts around the world, even organizing volunteers for the London 2012 Olympic Games, said OGA will be running one-hour sessions twice a week over a 10-week period to get kids accustomed to the sport and being more active in general.
“We’re looking at three 10-week periods, with one in spring, one in summer and the third in fall,” he said. “We’re really trying to work on a progression for the kids.”
OGA ran a pilot campaign in the fall of 2015 in which the group worked with over 200 kids.
Woolcock said OGA is aiming to reach 1,000 kids by the end of the year.
“The initial response has been extremely good, especially from the children we’ve been working with,” he said. “I think for a lot of these kids, soccer isn’t their first choice for a sport, but the way in which we conduct our sessions is based on fun and is engaging for them, so they really enjoyed it. It definitely feels like we’re filling a need in the community.”
OGA and Chattanooga Sports Ministries held a soccer tournament called the Neighborhood Cup in December which gave the kids from the pilot program the opportunity to compete and play against other teams, and Woolcock said it was a “huge hit.” OGA is looking to host an even larger soccer festival later in the year, he said, after the organization has expanded.
Woolcock is originally from England and has been around soccer all his life. He said OGA selected soccer because of the lack of barriers to entry – minimal equipment is required – and the ease with which new players can acquire the skills necessary to play.
“I think soccer is definitely growing in Chattanooga. It’s all in line with the Chattanooga Football Club’s plan for community growth and development,” said Woolcock. “We’re seeing kids playing it all the time. I think there is a hunger for it here. It’s the fastest-growing sport in the country, and this is a program that can give kids the opportunity to play, as well as lead a healthy life.”
Woolcock said OGA’s current focus is bringing on more coaches to teach in the spring.
“We’ve potentially got quite a lot of sites opening up, and so getting people to run these sessions is our top priority,” he said.
For those interested in coaching opportunities, or to learn more about OGA, contact Peter Woolcock at peter@chattanoogafc.com.